Although you could be forgiven in thinking that there was just one championship event taking place in the UK on the weekend in Birmingham, there was also an excellent day of competition provided by bands at the Exmouth Entertainment Contest.

Catch the ear

The 15th running of the popular event at the town’s Pavilion Gardens saw the audience enjoy 11 contenders provide a wide variety of repertoire, with reigning champion Roche Brass successfully defending their title under the baton of Lee Clayson.

No only did they catch the ear of adjudicator Steve Walker, who described their set as, ‘...a splendid performance today from a very fine band’, that was, ‘well hosted and directed by the MD’ in providing ‘...an excellent choice of music very well performed’, but they also captured the prizes for ‘Best Band of the Day’, ‘Best First Section Band’ and ‘Best Trombone Section’.

Programme

Their programme of the march ‘The Red Shield’, horn solo ‘An Untold Story’ featuring Mark Letcher, the jazz infused ‘Caravan’, ‘Shenandoah’ and the finale of ‘Enter the Galaxies’ was good enough to claim the honours ahead of runner-up Pendennis Brass Falmouth, who took the prizes for ‘Most Entertaining Band’ and ‘Best Percussion, with Lympstone South West Communications in third.

Good if not better

The Entertainment Director of the Butlins Mineworkers Championship was also impressed by the overall standard of playing he heard, describing the playing as ‘good if not better’ than he has heard ‘up country’ — especially with the ungraded bands.

With the bands also providing excellent outdoor entertainment throughout the day, it was little wonder that the SWBBA organisers were delighted with the weather, playing and the audience response to the contest.

The 15th running of the popular event at the town’s Pavilion Gardens saw the audience enjoy 11 contenders provide a wide variety of repertoire4BR

Results:

1. Roche Brass (Lee Clayson)
2. Pendennis Brass Falmouth (Steve Thomas)
3. Lympstone South West Communications (Charles Fleming)
4. Bodmin Town (John Maines)
5. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
6. Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne) (Tony Osborne)
7. Tiverton Town (David Boorer)
8. Bideford Town (Mark Durham)
9. Camelford Town (Stephen Wagstaff)
10 = Appledore (Jim Wortley)
10 = Newquay (Chris Wooding)

Exmouth Brass Band Festival Band 2014: Roche Brass
Best Entertaining Band: Pendennis Brass Falmouth
Best Soloist: Solo Cornet (Lympstone South West Communications)
Best Percussion Section: Pendennis Brass Falmouth
Best Trombone Section: Roche Brass