A reinvigorated Wychavon Festival of Brass took place in Evesham on the weekend, when even the weather took an unseasonal upturn in temperature to welcome the competing bands to the 25th anniversary event.

There was plenty of fine music making on show at the twin De Montfort School venues, with even a last minute change of contest hall undertaken with the minimum of fuss by the hard working organisers.

Adjudicators Paul Holland, Trevor Jones, Jonathan Corry, Stephen Roberts and David Hirst certainly enjoyed themselves, each expressing the opinion that it was good to hear the competitors try something a little different with their entertainment programmes.

United victory

In a keenly fought Championship event, it was Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) who rounded off their contesting year with victory under the baton of David Hirst, delivering a slickly presented programme to capture the Festival Cup and £1250 first prize.

Opening with the high impact ‘Los Hermanos de Bop’, they carried on with added choreography and singing in the march ‘Goldcrest’, before showing contrast with ‘Someone Cares’ featuring principal cornet Glenn Birks.

‘Salsa tres Prado’ saw feet tapping in the audience once more before they rounded things off with two movements, fugue and finale from ‘Turris Fortissima’ by Stephen Ponsford.

“I think the victory shows we are heading in the right direction,” MD David Hirst told 4BR, following his first victory with the Yorkshire band since taking over the baton a year ago.

“The quality of the performances we have produced this year has improved, and although we will be playing in the First Section in 2015, this victory shows that we are a band that wants to return to the top flight as soon as possible.

I think musically we are in excellent shape so there is a great deal to build on following this victory.”

Poynton success

Another band with their eye on top flight competition next year will be Vernon Building Society Poynton, as they enjoyed a remarkably successful contest day — coming runner-up in the top section as well claiming the First Section honours, to bag over £1,500 in prize money.

In addition their percussion team did a ‘double’ in taking the ‘Best Percussion’ awards in both sections, whilst the day was rounded off with the news that by coming runner-up to Unite the Union, they had gained direct entry to the Spring Festival in May next year.

Foresters Brass 2000 finished in third, whilst John Storey of Staines won the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award for his outstanding rendition of ‘Tranquillity’ written for him by composer James Lawrence.

Ambitious

With bands able to perform in more than one section on the day, Vernon Building Society Poynton certainly took the opportunity to showcase their ambition under MD Neil Samuel, as they took the First Section honours ahead of rivals Eccles Borough and National First Section champion Filton Concert Brass.

Poyton’s programme featured the sparkling opener ‘Perpetuum’ written for them by Dave Collins as well as the thumping finale ‘Brooklyn’.

Meanwhile, former Sun Life principal cornet player Kevin Robbins rolled back the years as he took the ‘Best Soloist’ award, whilst the entertainment award went to fifth placed Roberts Bakery, who included what was surely a first in brass band history — an arrangement of heavy metal rock group Iron Maiden’s ‘Run to the Hills’.

Eccles victory

It was also a profitable weekend for the Eccles Band, as under the baton of Marieka Gray they added the Second Section title to boost their overall winnings to over £1,000.

Off the number 1 draw, a programme set that encompassed ‘A Fanfare of Daffodils’ to ‘War of the Worlds’ via ‘Singing in the Rain’ and ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’ played by solo trombone John Anderson, proved good enough to repel a strong challenge from well drilled rivals.

Entertainment trophy winners Forest of Dean eventually finished runner-up thanks to a fine ‘Best Soloist’ contribution from euphonium player Alison Millin, with Hitchin in third, taking the ‘Best Percussion’ trophy.

Eccles MD Marieka Gray told 4BR that the victory came with appropriately timed Halloween celebrations.

“It was a great way to round off a hard working year. The band worked so hard to deliver two different programmes on the day and really enjoyed the contest — so the celebrations afterwards to let our hair down were a bit different to say the least!”

Cinderford success

After just missing out on the top prize in the last two years, Cinderford finally captured the double of WFB winner’s trophy and the award for most entertaining band under the baton of the experienced Dave Lea.

A programme which included their signature march ‘Cinderford’ by TJ Powell as well as a fine soloist contribution from Matt Kibble on cornet playing 'By The Time I get to Phoenix', proved good enough to beat off the strong challenge of recently crowned Third Section National Champion, Ebbw Valley, with Wem Jubilee in third.

Wem took home the ‘Best Percussion’ award with Lloyd Crowley of Wilton & District taking the ‘Best Soloist’ award.

Ifton triumph

Butlins Mineworker Champion Ifton Colliery rounded off a successful year with victory in the Fourth Section.

They can now look forward to life in the Third Section in 2015, after bagging the Fleece Inn Trophy and £400 first prize under MD Wayne Ruston, with their outstanding soprano player Rachael King taking the ‘Best Soloist’ award.

Entertainment prize winner Cadishead Public came runner-up, with Cubbington Silver in third.

Meanwhile, one of the most popular awards of the entire day was the presentation of the Tracy Sollis Cup in memory of the popular Avonbank player.

With the support of the family it will now be given to the youngest player on the contest day — with a delighted 9 year old Rupert Morris of Pillowell Silver becoming the very first recipient.

Well pleased

With the contest played out in balmy weather, an excellent take up in ticket sales, hard working volunteers and even a tasty prig roast to keep people well fed, no wonder Wychavon Festival of Brass Chairperson Val Trim was delighted at the way the contest day turned out.

“We couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Val said.

“The weather was a real bonus of course, but the response of the bands, the support of the audience and quality of the music making has given us all a huge boost. All that and the pig roast was particularly popular!”

Val now hopes that the hard working Wychavon committee will be able to build on this year’s success.

“The link to the British Open, the support of some wonderful sponsors and the responses we had from the bands themselves shows that the Wychavon Festival of Brass has a great future ahead of it — so we are already working on next year’s event.”

The link to the British Open, the support of some wonderful sponsors and the responses we had from the bands themselves shows that the Wychavon Festival of Brass has a great future ahead of itVal Trim

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Holland

1. Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (David Hirst) — 190
2. Vernon Building Society (Poynton) (Neil Samuel) — 189
3. Foresters 2000 (Peter Collins) — 187
4. Staffordshire Band (David Purkiss) — 186
5. Lydbrook (Tom Davoren) — 185
6. Staines Band (Dan Floyd) — 184
7. Roberts Bakery (Simon Stonehouse) — 183
8. Aveley & Newham (John Ward) — 182
9. Llwydcoed (Christopher Turner) — 181
10. Michelmarsh Silver (Melvin White) — 180
11. Leicestershire Co-op (Graham Jacklin) — 179

The WFB Soloist Trophy: John Storey (euphonium) — Staines Band
The WFB Percussion Trophy: Vernon Building Society (Poynton)

Vernon Building Society to receive an invitation to the 2015 Spring Festival

First Section:
Adjudicator: Trevor Jones

1. Vernon Building Society (Poynton) (Neil Samuel) — 195
2. Eccles Borough (Marieka Gray) — 194
3. Filton Concert Brass (Tom Davoren) — 193
4. Llwydcoed (Christopher Turner) — 192
5. Roberts Bakery (Simon Stonehouse) — 191
6. Staffordshire Band (David Purkiss) — 190
7. Rogerstone (Jeff Hutcherson) — 189
8. Enderby Band (Simon Jones) — 188
9. Leicestershire Co-op (Graham Jacklin) — 187
10. Bedworth (Jason Glynn) — 186
11. Shirley (Dave Bishop-Rowe) — 185
=12. Cornerstone Brass (Damian Wileman) — 184
=12. Yeovil Town Band (David Hayward) — 184

The WFB Soloist Trophy: Kevin Robbins (cornet) — Yeovil Town Band
The WFB Percussion Trophy: Vernon Building Society (Poynton)
The WFB Entertainment Trophy: Roberts Bakery

Second Section
Adjudicator: Jonathan Corry

1. Eccles Borough (Marieka Gray)
2. Forest of Dean (Chris Howley)
3. Hitchin Band (Craig Patterson)
4. City of Bristol (Bryn James)
5. Arrow Valley Brass (David Stanley)
6. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)
7. Avonbank (Warren Belshaw)
8. Wotton-under-Edge (Ian Dickenson)
9. Brackley & District (Alexander Webb)
10. Shipston Town (Howard Gibbs)

No points given

The WFB Soloist Trophy Alison Millin (euphonium) — Forest of Dean Brass
The WFB Percussion Trophy: Hitchin Band
The WFB Entertainment Trophy: Forest of Dean Brass

Third Section
Adjudicator: Stephen Roberts

1. Cinderford (Dave Lea)
2. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)
3. Wem Jubilee (Roger Thorne)
4. Oxford Cherwell Brass (Terry Brotherhood)
5. Thomas Coaches Mid-Rhondda (Alan Gibbs)
6. Ifton Colliery (Wayne Ruston)
=7. Towcester Studio (Shaun Humphries)
=7. Wilton & District (Colin Herbert)

No points given

The WFB Soloist Trophy: Lloyd Crowley (Eb bass) — Wilton & District
The WFB Percussion Trophy: Wem Jubilee
The WFB Entertainment Trophy: Cinderford

Fourth Section
Adjudicator: David Hirst

1. Ifton Colliery (Wayne Ruston)
2. Cadishead Public (Craig McFarland)
3. Cubbington Silver (Mark Phillips)
4. Cheltenham Silver (Rob Folland)
5. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn)
6. Alcester Victoria (Danny Price)
7. Wem Jubilee (Roger Thorne)
8. Malvern Hills & District (Chris License)

No points given

The WFB Soloist Trophy: Rachael King (soprano) Ifton Colliery
The WFB Percussion Trophy: Cadishead Public
The WFB Entertainment Trophy: Cheltenham Silver

Youngest Player Award: Rupert Morris (aged 9) — Pillowell Silver