Whitburn reinforced their contesting pre-eminence on the domestic Scottish banding scene with an impressive defence of their Land O' Burns title in Troon on the weekend.

A major reprise of their successful West Lothian entertainment programme under the direction of resident conductor John Boax saw them claim the £3,000 first prize ahead of Co-operative Funeralcare, with First Section Newmilns & Galston in third.

Quartet possession

The victory means that Whitburn continues to hold possession of the quartet of domestic Scottish titles — with winner's trophies from the Scottish Championship, Scottish Open, West Lothian and Land O' Burns contests safely tucked into an increasingly bulging trophy cabinet.

Pride

And that is certainly an achievement that fills Band Manager John Fraser with pride as he told 4BR: "It was a fine performance to ensure we kept our hands on all the major Scottish silverware. John Boax and the band are working so hard at the moment — inspired by our connection with Professor Nicholas Childs.

With major projects such as our performances with the touring Rambert Ballet and the Cummock Festival to look forward to, we are building confidently towards the National Finals in London and the defence of the Scottish Open title."

Winning programme

Their winning programme opened with Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'Enter the Galaxies' followed by the trumpet duet, 'Jealousy' featuring Lloyd Griffin and Mark James. Contrast came with 'Unisons' and the obligatory Disney item, 'When She Loved Me' from the film 'Toy Story', played by flugel soloist Caroline Farren, before the band closed with 'Nightingale Dances'.

With adjudicator Nigel Boddice MBE commending the band on what he called an 'outstanding' 20 minute programme of 'contrast and style', which contained 'excellent' individual performances, it gave the Scottish champion a single point victory whilst also picking up awards for 'Best Instrumentalist' (Lloyd Griffin); 'Best Flugel Horn' (Caroline Farren); 'Best Horn' (Michael Fleming) and 'Best Percussion'.

Co-op second

The victory also meat that once again Co-operative Funeralcare had to be content with coming runner-up to their old rivals (winning £1,200), although they did win prizes for 'Best Principal Cornet' (Jimmy Hayes); 'Best Trombone' (Paul Kiernan) and 'Best Basses' for what was also a major reprise of their West Lothian set.

Meanwhile, Newmilns & Galston were overjoyed as they picked up major top flights scalps and £600 cash from both sides of the border, taking the prizes as the 'Highest Placed Ayrshire', 'Highest Placed First Section Band' and 'Best Euphonium' along the way.

The £500 prize as the 'Most Entertaining Band' went to Dunaskin Doon, with section awards going to the welcome visitors of Eccles Borough and Barrhead Burgh.

Event spokesperson Jan Murray told 4BR: "We enjoyed yet another wonderful day of brass band entertainment. We have been holding the Troon event for 21 years and we are delighted to always welcome new bands and supporters.

I'm sure that with our generous prizes and warm welcome we will continue to provide Scottish banding with an event to be proud off."

With major projects such as our performances with the touring Rambert Ballet and the Cummock Festival to look forward to, we are building confidently towards the National Finals and the defence of the Scottish Open titleJohn Fraser

Result:
Adjudicator: Nigel Boddice

1. Whitburn (John Boax) — 196
2. Co-operative Funeralcare (Andrew Duncan) — 195
3. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Cameron) — 192
4. Kirkintilloch Kelvin (Charles Keenan) — 191
5. Fishburn (Joseph Cook) — 190
6. Johnstone Silver (Leigh Baker) — 189
7. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray) — 188
8. Dunaskin Doon (Gary Williams) — 186
9. Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Drury) — 185
10. Barrhead Burgh (Brian Keechie) — 183
11. Irvine & Dreghorn (Helen Douthwaite) — 182
12. Campbeltown Brass (Gordon Evans) — 180

Best First Section Band: Newmilns & Galston
Best Second Section Band: Eccles Borough
Best Third Section Band: Barrhead Burgh

Most Entertaining Band: Dunaskin Doon
Highest Placed Ayrshire Band: Newmilns & Galston

Best Instrumentalist: Whitburn (principal cornet)
Best Principal Cornet: Co-operative Funeralcare
Best Soprano Cornet: Kirkintilloch Kelvin
Best Flugel Horn: Whitburn
Best Horn: Whitburn
Best Trombone: Co-operative Funeralcare
Best Euphonium: Newmilns & Galston
Best Bass Section: Co-operative Funeralcare
Best Percussion Section: Whitburn