There was an excellent turn out of bands battling for march and test piece honours in Cheltenham last weekend.

In Section A it was Forest of Dean Brass conducted by Chris Howley that had a 'double' to celebrate as they picked up the Windsor Eyles Cup and West of England Trophy as well as £200 in prize money for their excellent renditions of the march 'The Bombardier' by TJ Powell and their own choice test piece of 'Prisms' by Peter Graham.

Memorable day

It also proved to be a memorable day for the band's principal cornet Craig Wintle, as his took a personal double of 'Best Instrumentalist' and 'Best Cornet' awards.

There was also a double triumph for City of Bristol as they continued their recent good run of form under Bryn James to also bag £200 to go with the Maxi Cup and AS Felton Trophy by winning both disciplines.

Finer points

Highlighting the finer points of playing in both disciplines, adjudicator David Thornton spoke from his own experience as he advised bands on breathing, nerves and performance. David also congratulated the wonderful playing on show from the youth bands, led by by Gold Certificate winner Lydbrook Training Band.

Meanwhile, the trophy table seemed to have a never-ending supply of silverware as results for each section and special awards were announced by compere David Hayward, whilst the local Triangle Radio were on hand to record performances and interviews which will be broadcast over the coming weeks.

Thanks were given to the GBBA Committee for a smoothly run event at an excellent venue.

Forest of Dean Brass conducted by Chris Howley that had a 'double' to celebrate as they picked up the Windsor Eyles Cup and West of England Trophy as well as £200 in prize money4BR

Results:

Section A:

Adjudicator: David Thornton
(First Section Bands)

March:

1. Forest of Dean Brass (Chris Howley) — 90pts
2. AW Parker Drybrook (Josh Ruck) — 89pts
3. Wantage B (Danny Dullforce) — 88pts
4. Chalford (Steve Tubb) — 87pts

Best Instrumentalist:
Craig Wintle (cornet) — Forest of Dean Brass

Test Piece:

1. Forest of Dean Brass (Chris Howley) — 92pts
2. Wantage B (Danny Dullforce) — 90pts
3. AW Parker Drybrook (Josh Ruck) — 89pts
4. Chalford (Steve Tubb) 88pts

Section B:

Adjudicator: David Thornton
(Second, Third, Fourth Section Bands)

March:

1. City of Bristol (Bryn James) — 85pts
2. Arrow Valley Brass (Andy Culshaw) — 84pts
3. Abergavenny Borough (Alun F Williams) — 83pts
4. Bream Silver (Phil Turner) — 81pts
5. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn) — 80pts

Best Instrumentalist: Steve Ellis (cornet) — City of Bristol

Test Piece:

1. City of Bristol (Bryn James) — 88pts
2. Abergavenny Borough (Alun F Williams) — 87pts
3. Arrow Valley Brass (Andy Culshaw) — 86pts
4. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn) — 84pts
5. Bream Silver Band (Phil Turner) — 83pts

Special Awards:
Best Trombone Section (Fourth Section): Pillowell Silver
First Place March (Fourth Section): Pillowell Silver
First Test Piece (Fourth Section): Pillowell Silver
Winning Conductor (Fourth Section): Ian Whitburn (Pillowell Silver)

Highest placed Third Section Band: Arrow Valley (Andy Culshaw)

Section D:

Youth, Training & Un-registered Bands

Lydbrook Training Band (Robert Morgan) — Gold Certificate
City of Bristol Learner Band (Steve Ellis) — Gold Certificate
Thornbury Town Band (Steve Ellis) — Silver Certificate

Highest placed band in Section: Lydbrook Training Band

Special Awards:
Most Players under 14: City of Bristol Learner Band (11 players)
Youngest Player: Alice Neild (aged 9) — City of Bristol Learner Band

Best Instrumentalist: Solo Cornet of City of Bristol Learner Band

Special Awards (All Sections):

Best Cornet Player of the Day: Craig Wintle (Forest of Dean Brass)
Best Flugel Player of the Day: Chalford
Best Horn Section of the Day: Abergavenny Borough
Best Euphonium Player of the Day: Wantage B
Best Bass Section of the Day: City of Bristol Brass Band
Best Percussion Section of the Day: AW Parker Drybrook
Best Instrumentalist of the Day: Craig Wintle (Forest of Dean Brass)