The 16th Brighouse & District Lions Festival of Brass took place in the most gloriously bizarre of British weather in the heartland of Yorkshire on the weekend, with 26 bands 'enjoying' fantastic sunshine as well a torrential rain as they battled for the generous prize fund on offer for their march and hymn tune efforts.

Table topping Wingates

Huge crowds also braved rain and shine as Wingates continued their excellent form under the baton of Paul Andrews with a brace of table topping renditions of 'Knight Templar' and 'Love Unknown' to catch the ear of music adjudicators David Hirst and Gordon Higginbottom.

First Section Elland Silver directed by Danny Brooks certainly showed their quality by defeating top flight rivals in coming runner-up, with Hepworth under Mark Peacock in third. The deportment prize judged by David Ashworth went to South Yorkshire Police.

No winning farewell

However, there was to be no winning farewell for Glyn Williams at Marsden as the march and hymn tune specialists had to be content with fifth place on his swansong with the band — although they did take the 'Best Band on Road March', 'Best Principal Cornet' and 'Best Section' prizes.

If there was a prize for the 'bravest' band of the day though it surely would have gone to Knottingley Silver who had the misfortune of being caught right into the eye of the torrential thunderstorm as it stuck at 4.00pm — with rain pounding up from the pavements around the players feet!

Prime form

After a short delay the contest resumed with Wingates in prime form in securing victory — something that certainly please their MD, even if he did have a bill to pay for the dry cleaning of his usually immaculate grey suit!

"It's a great contest weekend, so despite the rain everyone at Wingates was delighted,"he said after he had dried off on Monday morning.

"It's an important result as it shows we are bringing our confidence and disciplined determination to every event we perform at. It was a test of character in many ways, especially as we were up against the likes of Marsden and Glyn Williams who are so good at these events.

It's a victory that I feel has real long term benefits for the band following our success at Brass at the Guild Hall and gaining a podium finish at the North West Area Championship this year."

Tribute

Before the results there was a musical tribute to three friends of the Festival who have passed away in the past twelve months, with a short concert by Elland Silver in the memory of Tony Whittaker, Ken Billington and George Hinchcliffe.

Friday's opening festival event was given by Kirklees Music Brass directed by Dennis Wilby, who entertained a large crowd at The Beck Inn, with a popular programme including solo items featuring Glenn Crisp, Samantha Harrison, Bethan Plant, Charlotte Horsfield, William Rushworth and David Horsfield.

American pride

Saturday's Gala Concert also proved to be a brilliant evening's entertainment for the full house at the Central Methodist Church, with the Lake Wobegon® Brass Band from Minnesota, USA giving a memorable performance with popular music to mark American Independence Day.

Under MD, Michael Halstenson, the band were joined by Philip Wilby on the organ for one of the many highlights — 'Beyond Far Horizons', composed especially for the band by Philip a few years ago.

Youth and experience

The UK Youth Entertainment Champion, Elland Silver Youth, led by the inspirational Samantha Harrison also proved why they are held in such high concert regard with a wonderful reprise of their Action Research winning programme — 'Charlie Chaplin: the story of a sad and lonely tramp . . .'

At the end of the concert, a presentation was made to David Horsfield, organiser of the Brass Festival by Sydney Swancott, National Chairman of the NABBC, in recognition of David's long service with the Association.

David himself told 4BR: "Can I thank on behalf of Brighouse & District Lions all bands, conductors and spectators for helping the tricky situation with the weather be overcome. This was our most demanding but enjoyable day so far, despite several lightning strikes in the area at 4 o'clock!"

It's an important result as it shows we are bringing our confidence and disciplined determination to every event we perform atWingates MD, Paul Andrews

March & Hymn Tune Result:

1. Wingates (Paul Andrews)
2. Elland Silver (Danny Brooks)
3. Hepworth Band (Mark Peacock)
4. Knottingley Silver (Kevin Belcher)
5. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams)
6. Hebden Bridge (Alan Hobbins)

full results to follow

Best Contest March: Wingates
Best Hymn Tune: Wingates

Best Band Road March: Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams)
Best Trombone Section Road March: Hepworth
Best Bass Section Road March: Marsden Silver

Best Principal Cornet: Jason Evans (Marsden Silver)
Best Soprano Cornet: John Parkinson (Skelmanthorpe)
Best Euphonium: David Woodward (Elland Silver)
Best Soloist of the Day: Steve Gardner (Hebden Bridge)

Outstanding Conductor: Thomas Wyss (Northop Silver)

Best Hymn Tune Fourth Section: Huddersfield & Ripponden
Deportment: South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker)

Best First Section Band: Elland Silver (Danny Brooks)
Best Second Section Band: Knottingley Silver (Kevin Belcher)
Best Third Section Band: Slaithwaite (Rob Westacott)
Best Fourth Section Band: Huddersfield & Ripponden (Helen Williams)
Best Youth Band: Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison) 2. Dobross Youth (Ted Griffiths)
Best Unregistered Band: Thurlstone (Graham Bates)

Youth Deportment: Elland Silver Youth

Best Soloist Youth: Bethan Plant (Elland Silver Youth)
Youngest Player: Claudia Bowen (Thurlstone) (7 years of age)