There was a full day of high quality competitive music making at the Yorkshire & Humberside Brass Band Association's annual contest Dewsbury Town Hall.

Bands travelled from far and wide to enjoy the excellent facilities, including a much appreciated warm up room before going on stage.

Wide choices

The competing bands performed a wide choice of hymns and test-pieces adjudicated by Ian Brownbill (Groups C & B) and Sandy Smith (Group A) that were also greatly appreciated by an appreciative audience.

Trainee adjudicator, Sam Fisher, shared the box with Sandy Smith and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to advance contesting experience.

Skelmanthorpe victory

Skelmanthorpe led by Jim Davies comprehensively took the Group A honours and William Birch trophy ahead of Blackpool Brass with South Yorkshire Police in third.

Meanwhile, Group B was won by North Skelton ahead of Eccleston and Dronfield Genquip, with the University of Nottingham gaining a clEan sweep of the awards in Group C.

Peggy Tomlinson, YHBBA President, warmly thanked the bands for their participation and support of the contest and Geneva Instruments for sponsoring the overall winner in Groups A and B by providing a Geneva artist to play as guest soloist for the winning band at a forthcoming concert.

Skelmanthorpe led by Jim Davies comprehensively took the Group A honours and William Birch trophy ahead of Blackpool Brass with South Yorkshire Police in third4BR

Results:

Group A:

Championship/First/Second Section:

1. Skelmanthorpe (Jim Davies) — 240
2. Blackpool Brass (John Pearson) — 233
3. South Yorkshire Police — 228
4. Skelmanthorpe Prospect — 223
5. York Railway Institute — 223
6. Durham Miners — 223
7. Marple — 222
8. Lindley — 219
9. Dunston Silver — 214

Best Championship Section Band: York Railway Institute
Best First Section Band: Skelmanthorpe
Best Second Section Band: Blackpool Brass
Best Hymn: Skelmanthorpe
Best Instrumentalist: Euphonium player of Skelmanthorpe

Group B:

Third/Fourth Section

1. North Skelton (Lewis Wilkinson) — 228
2. Eccleston — 226
3. Dronfield Genquip — 222
4. Jayess Newbiggin — 215
5. Friendly Band Sowerby Bridge — 211
6. Swinton & District — 211
7. Lofthouse 2000 — 208

Overall Winner: North Skelton
Best Third Section Band: North Skelton
Best Fourth Section Band: Jayess Newbiggin
Best Hymn: Eccleston
Best Instrumentalist: Flugel player of North Skelton

Group C:

Unregistered Bands:

1. University of Nottingham (George Newbould) — 185
2. Thurlstone — 184
3. Hade Edge B — 179
4. Golcar — 177

Winner: University of Nottingham
Best Hymn: University of Nottingham
Best Instrumentalist: Euphonium of University of Nottingham