Anything Foden's could do in the Championship Section had already been achieved by Thornton Cleveleys earlier in the day at the Winter Gardens, as they retained the Fourth Section title in splendid fashion.

Their colourful rendition of 'St Andrew's Variations' was packed with character and style under the baton of MD Stephen Craig, as they secured their second successive appearance at the National Finals with a performance described by judges Gary Davies and Simone Rebello as 'excellent in every facet'.

As whilst they look forward once more to the Cheltenham challenge, it will be a totally new experience for fellow qualifiers, Allerton Brass and Brindle, as they celebrated the news of their September debuts. Just behind them in what was a highly enjoyable contest came Cadishead Public, Parr St Helens and Lostock Hall Memorial.

Tricky proposition

Alan Fernie's set-work certainly revealed itself to be a tricky proposition for the 17 competitors, with its engaging combination of banding basics linked to familiar sounding motifs and styles giving ample opportunity for the best bands to shine.

And that was certainly the case with the top two in particular according to the judges.

"It was an enjoyable contest in the box,"Gary Davies told 4BR. "The difficulties were apparent, but so too was the good playing. The winners were excellent in every facet and second place wasn't far behind either. The first band gave us a very good marker and the overall standard was also pretty good."

Meanwhile, Simone Rebello had earlier clearly pinpointed some of the areas highlighted to them — especially the need for correct tempo choices that allowed the music time and space to flow with continuity in each movement.

"Those were aspects that became clear to us as the day progressed,"she told 4BR. "It is a question of consistency at this level and that marked the better bands out, but each performance we heard had a great deal of merit."

Consistency key

Consistency was also a key aspect behind the winner's success according to Thornton Cleveleys' MD, Stephen Craig — something that had been drilled into him through 28 years of service as a professional Army musician.

"I felt that was the key to the piece,"he said. "Bringing out the character in the music can only be successful if you get the basics in place. We won on it at Brass at the Guild in Preston a few weeks ago and were able to work on ironing out the little problems since.

The band works so hard and I really enjoy myself with them. They are a great bunch of people — so committed and dedicated. Everyone's a friend — even after I tell them off!"

Meanwhile, the band's spokesperson added: "Stephen has been the catalyst for or success. His professionalism playing with the King's Division Brass Band has rubbed off on us. He is so musical — and nothing is left to chance. We even shine our stage shoes now!"

Super account

Another band with reason to celebrate after experiencing some very difficult times of late was Allerton Brass, who produced a super account under MD Adam Taylor to come second. The band from south Liverpool was only formed in 2013 but in the last few months under their young MD they have certainly started to make a substantive contest mark.

Meanwhile, there were also smiles all round for Brindle, as they secured their first Cheltenham appearance by delivering a fine show off the number 1 draw, one which enabled them to repel the strong challenge of all but two rivals, including some colourful, very well-managed accounts from Cadishead Public, Parr St Helens and sixth placed Lostock Hall Memorial.

Much to enjoy

Although tuning issues and nerves did play their part in separating the bands lower down the pecking order, there was also so much to enjoy — from the sheer enthusiasm of the youngsters of Dobcross Youth to the crafty camouflage work employed by MDs (with John Ludden of Parr St Helens the most successful) to overcome player shortages.

And despite those obvious technical insecurities, every band brought a sense of vibrancy from a cracking score that even with its Scottish title, seemed to contain musical nods and winks from every corner of the world — from Sousa and Mussorgsky to snippets of 'All through the Night', 'My Fair Lady' and even 'All Creatures Great and Small'.

The band works so hard and I really enjoy myself with them. They are a great bunch of people — so committed and dedicated. Everyone's a friend — even after I tell them off!Thornton Cleveleys MD, Stephen Craig

Result:

Fourth Section:

Test Piece: St Andrews Variations (Alan Fernie)
Adjudicators: Gary Davies and Simone Rebello

1. Thornton Cleveleys (Stephen Craig)*
2. Allerton Brass (Adam Taylor)*
3. Brindle (Keith Richmond)*
4. Cadishead Public (David Holland)
5. Parr St. Helens (John Ludden
6. Lostock Hall Memorial (Phil Edwards)
7. Rode Hall Silver (Nigel Butler)
8. Tarleton Brass (Gillian Bould)
9. Denton Brass (Matthew Bailey)
10. Sale Brass (Alan Seymour)
11. Blackley (John Atkinson)
12. Ramsey Town (Robert Quane)
13. BMP Europe Goodshaw (Joshua Hughes)
14. Heyrod Brass (Lee Dunkley)
15. Stockport Silver (Ian Colwell)
16. Dobcross Youth (Matt Hindle)
17. Lees (Adam Nield)

*Top three bands qualify for the National Finals