The 70th annual South West Brass Band Association Championships were held at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay on the weekend where 30 bands competed in six sections.

Verwood title

Verwood Concert Brass conducted by Kevin Smith became the SWBBA Champion Band by winning a highly competitive Open Section with a fine performance of Edward Gregson's 'Of Men and Mountains'.

It was their second victory at the event in the past three years as helped by the 'Best Cornet Player' contribution of Elaine Close they beat off the 'Between the Moon and Mexico' challenge of Camborne with Chalford's 'A King's Lie' in third.

The remaining top-six places went to Lydbrook, St Keverne and Helston Town in a contest that saw the nine competitors each perform a different own-choice work for the judges Stan Lippeatt and Steve Sykes to compare and contrast.

Elsewhere, the Second, Third and Fourth Section competitors were faced with set-works from the pen of the late Goff Richards, whose widow Sue presented the trophies in her role as Association President.

Comms boost

South West Comms Band gained a fantastic boost of competitive confidence as they prepare for life in the First Section in 2017 as they took the Second Section title under the baton of MD Chris Spreadbury.

Their excellent rendition of 'Oceans' was helped by the 'Best Instrumentalist' playing of principal cornet Andy Stark as they beat off the challenge of podium finishers Sidmouth Town and Cinderford.

Weston win

In the Third Section Weston Brass carried on their fine 2016 contesting form as they took the title for the first time since 2011 led by Bryn James.

Their colourful take on 'Hollywood' aided by their 'Best Horn Section' saw them beat off the strong challenge from podium finishers Bratton Silver and Cinderford.

Bideford wait over

There was a long overdue victory to celebrate in the Fourth Section as Bideford Town claimed their first Torquay title since 1974, with a cracking rendition of 'Saddleworth Festival Overture' under Mark Durham.

The foundation of their success was certainly built on their prize-winning tuba team as they helped the band to overcome the spirited challenge of Hatherleigh Silver and City of Exeter Railway who also took the 'Highest Placed Ungraded Band' honours.

Training and Youth

In the Training Section a first title success went to the excellent Plymouth Soundhouse Youth Band as they pipped St Keverne Training with Appledore Training and Saltash Town Training in joint third.

In the Youth Section it was a repeat of 2016 as two excellent young ensembles locked horns. St Keverne Youth eventually came out on top from rivals St Dennis Youth, although both bands did themselves proud on performances of 'A Circus Suite' and 'English Folk Song Suite' respectively.

Popular venue

Once again Torquay proved to be a popular venue with all those present enjoying the friendly atmosphere for which the Championships are noted.

Adjudicators, Stan Lippeatt and Steve Sykes told the audience that they had enjoyed 'an excellent day of quality music making' and that they were confident that the future of brass banding in the South West was secure with the excellent playing heard in the Youth and Training Band Sections.

Presentations

During the presentations, the Association awarded richly deserved Long Service Awards for 70 years continuous and dedicated service to one band to Harold Curtis (Sidmouth Town), Colston Isaac (Holsworthy Town) and Geoff Pedlar (Bugle Silver).

The President then awarded retirement gifts to Keith Gibbs, Treasurer for the past 27 years, and Brian Elliott, Secretary for past 23 years.

Adjudicators, Stan Lippeatt and Steve Sykes told the audience that they had enjoyed 'an excellent day of quality music making'4BR

Results:

Open Section:

Own Choice

1. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
2. Camborne Town (Kevin Mackenzie)
3. Chalford (Steve Tubb)
4. Lydbrook (Glyn Williams)
5. St Keverne (Gareth Churcher)
6. Helston Town (John Berryman)
7. Lanner & District Silver (Matthew Rowe)
8. Pendennis Brass Falmouth (Christopher Bond)
9. Hyde (Jonathan Lush-Camps)

Highest Placed First Section Band: Chalford
Best Cornet Player: Elaine Close (cornet) — Verwood Concert Brass

Second Section:

Set Test: Oceans (Goff Richards)

1. South West Comms (Chris Spreadbury)
2. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
3. Cinderford (Chris Howley)

Best Instrumentalist: Andy Stark (cornet) — South West Comms

Third Section:

Set Test: Hollywood (Goff Richards)

1. Weston Brass (Bryn James)
2. Bratton Silver (David Hayward)
3. Cinderford (Chris Howley)
4. South Molton Town (Gil Tayor)
5. Porthleven Town (Tom Bassett)

Best Horn Section: Weston Brass

Fourth Section:

Set Test: Saddleworth Festival Overture (Goff Richards)

1. Bideford Town (Mark Durham)
2. Hatherleigh Silver (Matt Green)
3. City of Exeter Railway (Graham Eaton)
4. Pendeen Silver (Darren Jenkin)
5. Totnes (Alan Wilmott)
6. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Richard Beardon)
7. Launceston Town (Colin Gay)

Highest Placed Ungraded Band: City of Exeter Railway
Best Basses: Bideford Town

Training Band:

Own Choice

1. Plymouth Soundhouse Youth (Gary Thompson)
2. St Keverne Training (Sara Munns)
3= Appledore Training (Neil Hamilton)
3= Saltash Town Training (Lauren Rossiter-Thomas)

Best Instrumentalist: (cornet) — Plymouth Soundhouse Youth

Youth Section:

1. St Keverne Youth (Kelvin Retallack)
2. St Dennis Youth (Rachel Sargent)

Best Instrumentalist: (cornet) — St Dennis Youth