There was a first ever Yorkshire Area title success to enjoy for an overjoyed Huddersfield & Ripponden Band in the Fourth Section.

Formed in 2006 from the remnants of a youth ensemble that had been in existence since the early 1960s, the triumph on 'St Andrew's Variations' was the culmination of a decade of hard work, commitment and the ability to bounce back from unforeseen set-backs, according to MD, Adam Bell.

First glimpse

It was also made special, not just as it was secured on home turf, but as such a brace of recent unforeseen set-backs had seen tuba players, Roger Hawksworth and Bill Whitehead miss out on the historic moment of glory due to ill health.

However, Bill's daughter Jayne, who tearfully accepted the winner's trophy from adjudicator Mareika Gray, ensured that her father (who was in the audience on the balcony), got the first glimpse of it before her fellow players rushed to the stage to join in the celebrations.

"We are all thrilled to bits,"Adam told 4BR as he eventually lifted the appropriately named Challenge Tribute Cup. "We've been building towards something like this for the past 18 months or so, and it's been a great team effort.

What has made it special though is that we can dedicate the win to those stalwarts Roger and Bill who couldn't play. They have been the backbone of the band, so this one is for them!"

Memorable day

For the MD, something else was on his mind though in terms of celebration. "We came fourth last year so we felt we may be in with a chance of qualifying, but to win is amazing. Some of us are now going to watch Huddersfield play Newcastle, so hopefully that will round off a memorable day."

Unfortunately, the high flying 'Terriers' football team couldn't quite live up to their band's earlier achievements (losing 3-1), but you suspect that didn't really matter too much come Saturday night.

Show of appreciation

Joining Huddersfield at Cheltenham was an equally delighted Clifton & Lightcliffe 'B', who immediately bounced back from relegation from the Third Section to secure a second Finals appearance in three years under MD John Clay.

Their performance was also aided by 74 year old 'Best Soloist', Sheridan Fryer on euphonium, who received a wonderful show of appreciation from the audience who warmly recognised the former Brighouse & Rastrick baritone stalwart's outstanding playing and very modest acceptance of his award.

Lovely choice

For adjudicators Mareika Gray and Sandy Smith, it has been an enjoyable contest on a test-piece that Mareika called, 'a lovely choice that cleverly focused on the banding basics'.

"Alan Fernie's work was far from easy,"she said. "It needed care and attention from start to finish. One band made the hymn tune sound beautiful and the more successful ones gave the music time and space, although we did have to write 'intonation problems' quite a few times."

She also added: "If there was one thing that did disappoint though, it was the very start of the piece, which always seemed to go 'Bump'."

Sandy agreed: "Alan Fernie produced a fantastic piece for this level. Not one band caught all the styles required and nobody quite 'nailed it' for us, but the best were very good indeed.

Well done to the soloists too — especially horns and euphs who came through accompaniment that was sometimes a bit too loud. We both agreed, Yorkshire sends two very good bands to the finals."

Quality

Few people would have disagreed about that, so any disappointment from the likes of third placed Loxley Silver (who overcame something of an unforeseen circumstance when one of their players was taken ill before the contest), top-six finishers Deepcar (who won the 'Best Percussion' award), Gawthorpe Brass '85', Thurcroft Welfare and the remaining competitors, will have been tempered by the quality of their own performances in what was a highly enjoyable contest.

What has made it special though is that we can dedicate the win to those stalwarts Roger and Bill who couldn't play. They have been the backbone of the band, so this one is for them!MD, Adam Bell

Results:

Fourth Section:

Test Piece: 'St Andrews Variations' (Alan Fernie)
Adjudicators: Mareika Gray and Sandy Smith

1. Huddersfield & Ripponden (Adam Bell)*
2. Clifton & Lightcliffe 'B' (John Clay)*
3. Loxley Silver (Lee Dunkley)
4. Deepcar (Cathryn Rogers)
5. Gawthorpe Brass '85' (John Edwards)
6. Thurcroft Welfare (Matthew Wright)
7. Tingley (John Belton)
8. Linthwaite (Paul Kershaw)
9. Friendly Band (Sowerby Bridge) (Neil Robinson)

*Top two bands qualify for National Final in Cheltenham

Best Soloist: Sheridan Fryer (euphonium) — Clifton & Lightcliffe 'B'
Best Percussion: Deepcar
Youngest Player: Andrew Naylor (aged 10) — Friendly Band (Sowerby Bridge)