The superb weather certainly helped to bring out the very best from the bands at the popular Buxton Festival on the weekend, where the wonderful Pavilion Gardens played host to a keenly fought day of competition.

With an appreciative audience also enjoying the entertainment, little wonder adjudicators Steve Pritchard-Jones and Mark Wilkinson said they had a fine time comparing and contrasting the high quality own-choice performances.

None happier

No band would have left for home happier however than Haslingden & Helmshore (Chalkers) conducted by Simon Cowan. They claimed the honours in the joint Championship & First Section; winning the coveted Stead & Nelson Trophy, as well as the prizes for 'Highest Placed NWABBA Member Band' and 'Highest Placed Nationally Graded First Section Band'.

Their full blooded rendition of Philip Sparke's, 'The Saga of Haakon the Good' gave them victory over Bedworth Brass led by debutant MD Ryan Richards, with Longridge under Mark Peacock in third. The 'Best Soloist' award went to euphonium player Daniel Jackson of Hade Edge.

Never give up

A delighted Band Manager Phil Smith told 4BR: "It wasn't too long ago that we were down to just six players and the future looked bleak, but an amazing effort from everyone has now seen us win here.

It's been a long journey, but one that was based on our faith in ourselves and great musical inspiration from a number of conductors who have helped us out."

He added: "Since Simon came to the band things have become even more focussed. We have so much determination to secure our future and this is just another step in the right direction. It shows that any band that is going through a rough patch should never give up.

We still have some vacancies to fill but we have a great mix of characters around the band and it was especially heartening that our youngest player 11 year old percussionist Ben Halliday was able to enjoy a winning debut."

Second Viking success

There was also a successful musical Viking attack in the Second Section, where Butlins and Brass at the Guild champion Pemberton Old Wigan DW 'B' bounced back from their Area disappointment by claiming first place under MD Mike Golding with a colourful rendition of 'The Saga of Haakon the Good'. The band's splendid cornet team took the 'Best Cornet Section' honours.

In a contest which encouragingly featured no less than six different own-choice works, it was Besses Boys who pushed them all the way to the line with a well directed 'Variations on a Swiss Folk Song', with Glossop Old in third with 'Trittico'.

Title defence

Another band in cracking 2017 form ensured their name was once again engraved on the winner's trophy, as Ifton Colliery successfully defended their title under MD Scott Lloyd with a well worked performance of 'Renaissance'.

It enabled the Midlanders to repel the bold Yorkshire challenge of runner-up Lofthouse 2000 performing 'Darkwood', with Greenfield in third with their rendition of 'Oceans', taking the 'Best Euphonium Section' and 'Highest Placed NWABBA Member Band' awards.

Another band enjoying a cracking start to the 2017 took the honours in the Fourth Section as Fairfield (Buxton) led by Charles Kitchen came out on top ahead of rivals Cadishead Public (David Holland) and Denton.

Once again the excellent organisation of the NWABBA led by Shirley Woodward made for a highly enjoyable contest day.

We have so much determination to secure our future and this is just another step in the right direction. It shows that any band that is going through a rough patch should never give upBand Manager Phil Smith

Results:

Championship/ First Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Haslingdon & Helmshore (Chalkers) (Simon Cowan)
2. Bedworth Brass (Ryan Richards)
3. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
4. Harrogate (Dean Jones)
5. Hade Edge (Jonathan Beatty)

Best Soloist: Daniel Jackson (euphonium) — Hade Edge
Highest placed NWABBA Member Band: Haslingden & Helmshore
Highest Placed Nationally Graded First Section: Haslingden & Helmshore

Second Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Pemberton Old Wigan 'B' (Mike Golding)
2. Besses Boys (James Holt)
3. Glossop Old (Duncan Beckley)
4. Blackpool Brass (John Pearson)
5. Horwich RMI (Mattew Ryan)
6. Old Hall Brass (John North)

Best Cornet Section: Pemberton Old Wigan 'B'
Highest Placed NWABBA Member Band: Besses Boys

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard-Jones

1. Ifton Colliery (Scott Lloyd)
2. Lofthouse 2000 (Andrew Whitaker)
3. Greenfield (Tom Haslam)
4. Stalybridge Old (David Ashworth)
5. Farnworth & Walkden (Matt Shaw)
6. Trentham Brass (Mike Caveney)

Best Euphonium Section: Greenfield
Highest Placed NWABBA Member Band: Greenfield

Fourth Section:

Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard Jones

1. Fairfield (Buxton) (Charles Kitchen)
2. Cadishead Public (David Holland)
3. Denton Brass (Matthew Bailey)
4. Huddersfield & Ripponden Brass (Adam Bell)
5. St. John's Mossley (Paul Exton-McGuiness)
6. Mereside Brass (Mike Phenton)

Best Bass Section: Fairfield (Buxton)
Highest Placed NWABBA Member Band: Fairfield (Buxton)