There was a wonderful day of brass band entertainment at Ripon Cathedral last weekend with 14 bands taking part in a cracking event.

In the end it was the Slaithwaite Band that tickled the fancy of adjudicator Mike Kilroy with their cleverly put together 'Night at the Movies' set featuring 20 minutes of silver screen music from as diverse sources as 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' and 'The Mission' to 'Backdraft' and 'Brassed Off!'.

Directed by Rob Westacott, it gave the band a comprehensive victory margin over runner-up Trinity Girls, with Old Hall Brass in third, and saw the Yorkshire outfit claim the Championship Rose Bowl and £250 first prize.

Musical moves

Slaithwaite opened their programme with the '20th Century Fox' fanfare, before following with 'L'Estasi dell'oro' (The Ecstasy of Gold) from 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'.

Soprano soloist John Mitchell delivered fine rendition of 'La Califfa', before the cornet feature 'A Fistful of Dollars' segued into the 'Florentina March'. Lyrical contrast was shown with 'Nearer my God to Thee' before the high impact closer from the film 'Backdraft' also give the Third Section National Finalist the George Percival Trophy as 'Most Entertaining Band'

Treat

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "We are thrilled to have won. The 'Night at the Movies' idea worked a treat and under Rob we are now playing with such confidence. We hope to now take that onto the Holme Firth contest this weekend and then to Cheltenham and the Third Section National Finals."

Trinity Girls, led by Jonathan Davies took the Cathedral Trophy and £150 on offer as runner-up. They just pipped fellow North West rivals Old Hall Brass, who also headed home with the 'Best Hymn Tune trophy under John North.

The Best Soloist prize went to Knaresborough, with their principal cornet Robert Illsley producing an wonderful big band account of 'I Know Why, So Do You' to take the Isobele Lonsdale Trophy.

North Skelton took the 'Best March' award and Leyburn, the 'Best Fourth Section Band not in the Prizes'.

Thanks

Contest Secretary Paulette Morton told 4BR: "We had another wonderful day's entertainment from all 14 bands taking part.

I know everyone I spoke to agreed that the standard of playing has risen year on year and I would like to thank everyone involved in the day for helping to make it such an enjoyable one."

The 'Night at the Movies' idea worked a treat and under Rob we are now playing with such confidence. We hope to now take that onto the Holme Firth contest this weekend and then to Cheltenham and the Third Section National FinalsSlaithwaite

Results:

Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy
Music + Entertainment = Total

1. Slaithwaite (Rob Westacott) — 231.5
2. Trinity Girls (Jonathan Davies) — 225.5
3. Old Hall Brass (Johh North) — 224.5
4. Leyburn (Rebecca Lundberg) — 222.0
5. North Skelton (Dennis Noble) — 218.5
6. Lofthouse 2000 (Andrew Whitaker) — 215.5
7. Clifton & Lightcliffe B (John Clay) — 211.5
8. Knaresborough (Steve Morland) — 210.0
9. Garforth Brass (Michael Cox) — 208.5
10. Trimdon Concert (Philip Tait) — 207.0
11. Lanchester (Lewis Wilkinson) — 204.0
12. Durham Constabulary (Keith MacDonald) — 201.0
13. Garforth Jubilee (Charles Hindmarsh) — 199.5
14. Marske Brass (Alun Prest) — 199.0

Best March: North Skelton
Best Hymn Tune: Old Hall Brass
Highest Placed Fourth Section Band not in Prizes: Leyburn Band
Best Soloist: Robert Illsley (Knaresborough Silver)
Most Entertaining Band: Slaithwaite