There was a widespread selection of entertainment on show in Evesham on the weekend as bands battled to get their hands on the generous pots of prize money and prizes in each of the four sections at De Montfort High School.

Redbridge win

For the second time in three years, the Championship title headed south, as a revitalised Redbridge Brass delivered a high-class set under Alan Duguid to claim the Festival Cup and £1,250 first prize.

The victory rather appropriately summed up their programme theme of 'Endeavour', as the Londoners claimed the Wychavon crown for the first time to continue to build in impressive fashion under their Scottish MD.

'Phoenix' from 'War of the Worlds' set the confident tone from the word go, followed by some sublime cornet playing from Cliff Pask as he took the 'Best Soloist' prize with 'Anthem' from the stage show 'Chess'.

Multi-tasking

A cracking 'Irish Washerwoman' percussion feature (arranged by the MD), with no less than 10 players taking turns on an instrument or two (including a marimba playing bass trombonist) certainly showed off their multi-tasking skill set, before 'Go Lovely Rose' by Eric Whitacre provided a classy contrast to the vibrantly coloured 'Visions' from Bertrand Moren's 'Dreams' to finish.

It ultimately proved good enough to repel the strong challenge of West of England rivals and 'Best Percussion' prize winners Filton Concert Brass under Tom Davoren, with Roberts Bakery from the North West in third. Fourth placed Unite the Union took the 'Entertainment' award.

"I'm delighted at the way the band played and the way in which we continue to progress,"Alan Duguid told 4BR.

"This was the most confident, complete performance the band has produced for me. It also gives us a huge boost as we plan towards Butlins and the Area next year — not forgetting the Milton Keynes contest in a few weeks time."

Wychavon's link to the British Open Championship meant that there was an additional prize up for grabs, as fifth placed Foresters Brass 2000 claimed a place in the 2016 Senior Trophy by beating off the challenge of rivals not yet qualified for the event.

Jackfield worth the wait

Another band on the rise showed more of their excellent 2015 form as Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) took the First Section honours, the Roger Spragg Festival Cup and £900 first prize.

Under Simon Platford, the Midlands First Section Area champion produced what adjudicator David Thornton called 'a very accomplished show' as they beat off the purposeful challenge of Bolsover champion Unite the Union, with high flying Enderby in third.

Jackfield opened their set with 'Activate' by Matthew Hall for what was 'a start worth waiting for' according to the judge, before xylophonist Olly James from their 'Best Percussion' section delivered a fizzing 'Helter Skelter'.

'The Smile' provided a reflective contrast, before the band closed with a powerful rendition of 'A Manchester Tale'.

Winning MD, Simon Platford told 4BR: "I was delighted with the win. It has lifted the band as although we started the year on a high at Butlins and the Midlands Area, the last two results came from performances that were 'so near yet so far'.

The band really rallied for Saturday though and it sends us into 2016 on a fantastic high."

Maria Beezer subtly phrased rendition of 'Magh Seola' with Unite the Union deservedly won the 'Best Soloist' award with Roberts Bakery's upbeat set taking the entertainment prize.

Bristol back on top

City of Bristol claimed their first Wychavon victory as they continued their solid 2015 Second Section contesting form under Bryn James.

It enabled the West of England band to claim an excellent victory over the much fancied Eccles Borough, as the two rivals battled impressively for the Evesham Town Cup and £600 first prize.

Third place went to Midlands Third Section champion Ifton Colliery, who also took the 'Best Percussion' award.

However, it was City of Bristol's set that just tickled the fancy of adjudicator Duncan Beckley a point more, as they opened with the upbeat 'Oklahoma!', followed by Pete Boyle's excellent rendition of George Michael's 'Faith'.

Ballet music from 'Le Cid' was contrasted by 'A Little Prayer' before they rounded things off with the pulsating 'You've been Warned' to also claim the entertainment prize.

Meanwhile, one of the banding movement's rising stars, 16 year old Sarah Davies of Shipston Town took the 'Best Soloist' award with a superb rendition of 'Rhapsody for Euphonium' by James Curnow.

"It's all been down to plenty of hard work,"City of Bristol's Pete Boyle told 4BR. "Bryn has been really bringing the contesting confidence back to the band since he returned and now that has paid off. Our next stop is the Welsh League contest in Merthyr Tydfil where we hope to bring more silverware back over the River Severn."

Cheltenham delight

There was delight for Cheltenham Silver in the Fourth Section as they claimed their first contesting victory since 2012, taking the Fleece Inn Trophy and £400 first prize by a clear two point margin from rivals Stourport-on-Severn.

Pillowell Silver was third, with their talented soprano player Kristyann Symonds winning the 'Best Soloist' prize for his rendition of 'Ave Maria'.

According to their spokesperson Chris Tait, the victory also confirmed the progress Cheltenham has been making under the baton of MD Nigel Galliott who was appointed earlier this year.

"It's been a remarkable season since Nigel joined us,"he said. "First we claimed our best ever result of fourth at the Area contest and then we have built on that to win here.

We have a great set up that is now feeding talented young players through to the main band and a wonderful rehearsal atmosphere that means we all enjoy our playing."

The band opened with 'In Light Spirits' by their own composer-in-residence Adrian Jarrett, before moving through 'Shenandoah', 'I Want to be like You' featuring bass trombonist Rob Simpson, 'Be a Clown' — complete with percussionists in full circus dress mode, before rounding off with the classic 'Sing, Sing, Sing' to also claim the entertainment trophy.

This was the most confident, complete performance the band has produced for me. It also gives us a huge boost as we plan towards Butlins and the Area next yearRedbridge MD, Alan Duguid

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Alan Morrison

1. Redbridge Brass (Alan Duguid) — 190
2. Filton Concert Brass (Tom Davoren) — 189
3. Roberts Bakery (Simon Stonehouse) — 186
4. Unite the Union (David Hirst)
5. Foresters Brass 2000 (Jack Capstaff)*
6. BTM (Jeff Hutcherson)
7. Burry Port (Richard Evans)
8. Enderby (Simon Greswell)
9. Staines Brass (Jonathan Pippen)
10. Thundersley (Nigel Taken)
11. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
12. Wantage Silver (Craig Patterson)
13. Tylorstown (Glyn Williams)
14. Bilton Silver (Mark Allen)

Points given to podium finishes only

*Invitation to 2016 Spring Festival: Foresters Brass 2000

WFB Entertainment Trophy: Unite the Union
Centre Stage Percussion Trophy: Filton Concert Brass
Best Soloist: Cliff Pask (Redbridge Brass)

First Section:
Adjudicator: David Thornton

1. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford) — 194
2. Unite the Union (David Hirst) — 193
3. Enderby (Simon Gresswell) — 192
4. Roberts Bakery (Simon Stonehouse) — 191
5. Forest of Dean (Chris Howley) — 188
6. Bilton Silver (Mark Allen) — 187
7 = Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray) — 184
7 = Markham & District (Matthew Rowe) — 184
9. Hitchin Band (Craig Patterson) — 183
10. Bedworth (David Maplestone) — 181
11. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins) — 180
12. Ireland Colliery (Chesterield) (Ian Knapton) — 179

WFB Entertainment Trophy: Robert Bakery
Best Soloist: Maria Beezer (Unite the Union)
Centre Stage Percussion Trophy: Jackfield (Elcock Reisen)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley

1. City of Bristol (Bryn James) — 183
2. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray) — 182
3. Ifton Colliery (Wayne Ruston) — 178
4. Shipston Town (Howard Gibbs) — 176
5. Downton (Paul Williams) — 171

WFB Entertainment Trophy: City of Bristol
Best Soloist: Sarah Davies (Shipston Town)
Centre Stage Percussion Trophy: Ifton Colliery

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Kirsty Abbotts

1. Cheltenham Silver (Nigel Gallliott) — 190
2. Stourport-on-Severn (Oliver Wilson) — 188
3. Pillowell Silvber (Ian Whitburn) — 187
4. Bilton Silver Training (Jack Fisher) — 186

WFB Entertainment Trophy: Cheltenham Silver
Best Soloist: Kristyann Symmonds (Pillowell Silver)
Centre Stage Percussion Trophy: Bilton Silver Training
Youngest Player: Felicity Angel (aged 8) — Bilton Training Band