A rejuvenated Kidlington Concert Brass led the way at Loughborough on the weekend as the nationally graded First Section band defeated a number of Championship rivals to reclaim the Leicestershire BBA title for the first time since 2010.

Lone Wolf triumph for Kidlington

A well delivered performance of Simon Dobson's evocative portrait of the composer Bela Bartock, 'Journey of the Lone Wolf', saw them top the winner's rostrum for the first time in over a year under the baton of MD Duncan Wilson. The band's principal cornet Thomas James also won the 'Best Instrumentalist' award for his fine contribution to their success.

"It's down to a great deal of hard work and our MDs desire to keep challenging the band with interesting new works,"Thomas told 4BR.

"In the last few years we've played 'Volcano' and 'Salamander' and on this occasion the band thoroughly enjoyed working on Simon's absorbing test-piece. It really pushed us as a band and has done us a great deal of good as we now look towards the new season on a high."

The London & Southern Counties band returned home with the top prize as they beat off the strong challenge of top flight rivals Derwent Brass who played 'Red Priest' with Blidworth Colliery's 'Of Distant Memories' in third, in a contest that featured six different own-choice selections from the seven bands to compare and contrast for John Berryman in the box.

Long awaited Kibworth success

In the First Section an equally well delivered rendition of 'Tallis Variations' gave Kibworth a narrow single point victory over a brace of well prepared 'Essays' by Brunel Brass up from the West of England and London & Southern Counties challengers Northfleet.

It was Kibworth's first taste of a contest victory since 2006 as they continue to make solid progress under the baton of Dave Holling.

Once again there was a wide selection of at times ambitious own-choice selections made by the nine competitors for adjudicator John Doyle to compare and contrast.

Rushden success

In the Second Section, Rushden Town carried on their good 2015 form as the National Championship finalists secured their first victory of a consistent year under the direction of Adele Hudson.

A polished rendition of Kenneth Downie's 'Purcell Variations' caught the ear of adjudicator Dave Lea as he awarded them a clear two point margin over Carlton Brass. They gave a solid account of 'Connotations' with Ibstock Brass a point further back thanks to their well structured 'Dimensions', which included a 'Best Instrumentalist' contribution from principal cornet Leanne Wilkins.

Crofton's victory

There were some long awaited celebrations to enjoy for Crofton Silver to enjoy in the Third Section as Dean Jones led the band to their first contest victory since 2011.

Up against a strong field of 11 other rivals, their polished performances of 'Vitae Aeternum' saw them hold the winner's trophy on high as they pipped a strong challenge from Olney's well worked 'Fire n the Blood' and Rolls Royce (Derby)'s 'Oceans'.

Once again there was plenty of fine music to enjoy for both the audience and Dave Lea in the box, with classics such as 'Triumphant Rhapsody' and 'Rhapsody in Brass' mixed in with the up-coming Butlins test-piece 'Platform to the Heavens' and 'The Dark Side of the Moon'.

Ratby triumph on Narnia

There was to be no new name engraved on the winner's trophy in the Fourth Section as Ratby Co-operative 'Mid' successfully defended the title they won last year under the baton of Geoff Newman.

A well thought out rendition of 'Narnia Suite' gave them a narrow single point margin of victory over East Coast Brass, who gave an early run pout for the Butlins set work, 'Platform to the Heavens', with Kirkby Colliery Welfare in third.

Once again there was plenty of encouraging signs of development in each of nine competitors performances as the 2016 season beckons.

Enderby sparkle

Finally, in the Unregistered Section there was a sparkling performance set from Enderby Youth & Concert led by Trevor Hounsome as they claimed the title for the fifth consecutive time, although they were pushed all the way to the finishing line by excellent performances from Coleshill Youth, Ratby Co-operative Juniors and Leicestershire Co-op Training.

The event was once again a fine success as the hard work and dedication of the organising committee led to a well run day, despite a few withdrawals.

It's down to a great deal of hard work and our MDs desire to keep challenging the band with interesting new worksThomas James, principal cornet, Kidlington Concert Brass

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: John Berryman

1. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson) — 191
2. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard) — 190
3. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield) — 189
4. Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles) — 188
5. Sandhurst Silver (Andrew Porter) — 186
6. Foresters Brass 2000 (Jack Capstaff) — 185
7. Hathern (David Newman) — 184

Best Instrumentalist: Thomas James (principal cornet) — Kidlington Concert
Best Trombone Section: Blidworth Welfare

First Section:
Adjudicator: John Doyle

1. Kibworth (Dave Holling) — 192
2. Brunel Brass (John Winterflood) — 191
3. Northfleet Brass (Melvin White) — 189
4. City of Cambridge (Peter Bassano) — 188
5. Hade Edge (Jonathan Beatty) — 187
6. Oddfellows Brass (Robert Boulter) — 186
7. Harborough (Chris Groom) — 185
8. The Wigston Band (Garry Sleath) — 184
9. Enderby (Simon Gresswell) — 183

Best Instrumentalist: Soprano Cornet — Brunel Brass

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Dave Lea

1. Rushden Town (Adele Hudson) — 180
2. Carlton Brass (Paul Watson) — 178
3. Ibstock Brick Brass (Simon Willis) — 177
4. Amington (Malcolm Read) — 175
5. St. Sebastian Wokingham (Lee Woodward) — 174
6. Barnsley Brass (William Rushworth) — 173

Best Instrumentalist: Solo Cornet — Ibstock Brick Brass

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Dave Lea

1. Crofton Silver (Dean Jones) — 87
2. Olnley Brass (Guy Bennett) — 86
3. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell) — 85
4. Hucknall & Linby M.C. Brass (Paul Whyley) — 84
5. Melton (Graham Sutton) — 82
6. University of Warwick (Simon Hogg) — 80
7. Cinderford (Chris Howley) — 79
8. Newhall (Kevin Holdgate) — 78
9. Matlock (Geoff Hawley) — 77
10. Moulton 77 Brass (Nicholas Garman) — 76
11. Hemel Hempstead (David Edmonds) — 75
12. Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes (Steven Askew) — 73

Best Instrumentalist: Solo Cornet — Cinderford

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: David Hirst

1. Ratby Co-operative 'Mid' (Geoff Newman) — 88
2. East Coast Brass (Paul Speed) — 87
3. Kirkby Colliery Welfare (Nev Buxton) — 86
4. Corby Silver (Catherine Fountain) — 85
5. Malvern Hills District (Chris License) — 84
6. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Geof Benson) — 83
7. Syston (Chris Banks) — 82
8. Croft Silver (Ian Needham) — 81
9. Burbage Silver (Christopher Small) — 80

Best Instrumentalist: Solo Cornet — East Coast Brass

Unregistered Section:
Adjudicator: David Hirst

1. Enderby Youth & Concert (Trevor Hounsome) — 85
2. Coleshill Youth Brass (Stephen Fagg) — 84
3. Ratby Co-operative Junior (Becky Moss) — 83
4. Leicestershire Co-op Training (Liz Barham) — 82

Best Instrumentalist: Percussionist — Ratby Co-operative Junior