Bathgate claimed the title honours at the 16th Borders Entertainment Contest held in Galashiels on the weekend.

The 18 Scottish bands produced excellent entertainment at the town's Borders College, providing judges Mareika Gray and Michael Fowles with music of varied styles and genres to compare and contrast in their 15 minute sets.

Success

Organised by the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association with the full support of host band, Galashiels Town, the event was voted an overwhelming success, with Association Secretary Keith Belleville telling 4BR: "We were delighted with the way the contest ran.

The venue worked well and it was also great to see Galashiels Town Band make their first contest appearance for many years."

Bathgate top

At the end of a highly enjoyable day it was Bathgate that came out on top, and weighed down with silverware, as they secured their first win under the direction of MD Anne Crookston.

They claimed the 'Best Percussion', 'Best Bass Section' and 'Best Deportment' accolades to go with the 'Best First Section Band' and overall title awards with their winning programme opening with Jonathan Bates' arrangement of Hazo's 'Olympiada' before solo trombone Garry Kennedy delivered a fine rendition of 'My Funny Valentine'.

Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'You've Been Warned' aided by some talented singing led into their closing item of the French/Canadian tune 'The Tobique'.

Colouful entertainment

Behind them came a group of performances from bands that certainly brought colourful musical entertainment to the stage — led by podium finishers Jedforest Instrumental and Shotts St. Patrick's.

Jedforest's brilliant young kit player Cameron McCreadie deservedly took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award as he shone throughout their programme and especially on their closing item 'Nightingale Dances', whilst Shotts took the 'Best Second Section' award aided by principal cornet Lynsey McIlwraith claiming the 'Best Cornet' prize.

The 'Best Soloist' award was won by bass trombonist Ross Walker of Penicuik Silver who gave a super rendition of 'Minnie the Moocher'.

Section awards

There were section awards won by Langholm Town and Penicuik Silver with Langholm Band securing the special entertainment award and Jedforest Instrumental also taking the 'Highest Placed Borders Band' trophy home with them.

Michael Fowles provided each band with a CD voice over adjudication and also congratulated them on their approaches, although he did state that some conductors were perhaps a little over ambitious with their programme choices.

Meanwhile, Mareika Gray also enjoyed the music-making, although she also pointed out that good intonation was a crucial element of a good performance.

it was Bathgate that came out on top, and weighed down with silverware, as they secured their first win under the direction of MD Anne Crookston4BR

Results:

Adjudicators: Michael Fowles and Mareika Gray

1. Bathgate (Anne Crookston)
2. Jedforest Instrumental (Phil Rosier)
3. Shotts St. Patrick's (Chris Mansfield)
4. Langholm Town (Chris Shanks)
5. St. Ronan's Silver (Alan Fernie)
6. Lochgelly (Paul McKelvie OBE)
7. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good)
8. Broxburn & Livingston (Chris Shanks)
9. Penicuik Silver (Stuart Black)
10. Annan Town (David Hamilton)
11. Hawick Saxhorn (Alan Fernie)
12. Tullis Russell Intermediate (Steven Craig)
13. Selkirk Silver (Stuart Black)
14. Newlands Concert Brass (Paul McKelvie OBE)
15. MacTaggart Scott Loanhead (Kenny Letham)
16. Irvine & Dreghorn (Helen Douthwaite)
17. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (David Neil)
18. Newmains & District (Peter Holmes)

Best Soloist: Ross Walker (bass trombone) — Penicuik Silver
Best Instrumentalist: Cameron McCreadie (kit percussion) — Jedforest Instrumental
Best Solo Cornet: Lynsey McIlwraith (Shotts St. Patrick's)
Best Bass Section: Bathgate
Best Percussion: Bathgate

Best First Section Band: Bathgate
Best Second Section Band: Shotts St. Patrick's
Best Third Section Band: Langholm Town
Best Fourth Section Band: Penicuik Silver

Highest Placed Borders Band: Jedforest Instrumental
Entertainment Prize: Langholm Town
Deportment Prize: Bathgate