Top section Milnrow made the trip over the Pennines to repel the challenge of 29 rivals to claim the 19th Festival of Brass March & Hymn Tune title in Brighouse on the weekend.
One of the most popular events of its kind on the summer circuit, the hot weather and excellent organisation by the local Brighouse & District Lions meant that the large crowds, as well as judges David Hirst and David Ashworth, had plenty of fine music making to enjoy in and around the Town Hall Square.
Table topping
In the end though, it was the defending champion led by Mark Bentham who once again secured the honours with a clear-cut four point margin of victory over the Yorkshire duo of Elland Silver and Hepworth, thanks to table topping renditions of 'Knight Templar' and an arrangement of 'Abide with Me'.
Elland also performed 'Knight Templar' alongside 'Love Unknown', whilst Hepworth went for 'The Wizard' and 'St Clement'.
Milnrow also headed home with prizes for 'Best Principal Cornet', 'Best Soloist', 'Best Basses', and 'Best Trombones on Road March', although it was Hepworth that took the overall 'Best Road March' prize as they headed down to the town square with their rendition of 'On the Quarter Deck'.
Section awards
Section prizes went to Skelmanthorpe, Slaithwaite, Golborne and Gawthorpe'85, with Elland Youth Band taking the Youth award.
The opening event of the Festival this year was an excellent concert featuring the Clifton & Lightcliffe Band conducted by John Clay in the local St Martin's Parish Church.
In the end though, it was the defending champion led by Mark Bentham who once again secured the honours with a clear-cut four point margin of victory over the Yorkshire duo of Elland Silver and Hepworth4BR
Results:
March + Hymn = Total
Adjudicators: David Hirst & David Ashworth
1. Milnrow (Mark Bentham): 96/95 = 191
2. Elland Silver: (Danny Brooks): 93/94 = 187
3. Hepworth (Thomas Wyss): 95/91 = 186*
4. Hammonds (Morgan Griffith): 94/92 = 186
5. Marsden Silver (Allan Widdop): 92/93 = 185
6. Northop Silver (John Doyle): 90/90 = 180
7. Skelmanthorpe (Martin Heartfield): 91/85 = 176
8. Ashton under Lyne (Phil Chalk): 87/88 = 175
9. Blackburn & Darwen (David Thornton): 85/89 = 174
10. Wardle Anderson Brass (Sean Conway): 86/87 = 173
11. Silk Brass (Tony Wyatt): 88/81 = 169
12. Slaithwaite (Ryan Watkins): 89/77 = 166*
13. Skelmanthorpe Prospect (Phil Garlick): 84/82 = 166
14. Hade Edge (Jonathan Beatty): 80/86 = 166
15. Hebden Bridge (David Hamilton): 82/83 = 165*
16. Lindley (Rob Westacott): 81/84 = 165
17. Golborne Band (Matt Shaw): 83/79 = 162
18. Diggle Band (M. Tay): 79/80 = 159
19. Ferryhill Town (Gareth Sykes): 77/78 = 155
20. Meltham & Meltham Mills (T. Sidwell): 78/75 = 153
21. Drighlington (Colin Hardy): 76/76 = 152
22. Farnworth & Walkden (Luke Pallister): 75/74 = 149
23. Thurlstone Band (Graham Bates): 73/72 = 145
24. Elland Silver Youth (Sam Harrison): 74/70 = 144
25. Gawthorpe Brass '85 (John Edward): 70/73 = 143
26. Huddersfield & Ripponden (A. Bell): 71/71 = 142
27. Diggle 'B' Band (D. Shipp): 72/68 = 140
28. Bradford Youth Band (M. Griffiths): 69/69 = 138
29. Dobcross Brass Monkeys (P. Cumberworth): 68/66 = 134*
30. Hebden Bridge Junior Band (A. Case): 67/67 = 134
*March mark takes precedent
Best March: Milnrow
Best Hymn: Milnrow
Principal Cornet: Marsden
Best Euphonium: Hade Edge
Best Soprano: Marsden
Best Trombone Section: Marsden
Best Soloist: Milnrow (euphonium)
Best Basses: Milnrow
Best Road March: Hepworth
Best Trombones on the Road March: Milnrow
Best Deportment: Wardle Anderson
Best 1st Section: Skelmanthorpe
Best 2nd Section: Slaithwaite
Best 3rd Section: Golborne
Best 4th Section: Gawthorpe '85
Best Unregistered Band: Thurlstone
Best 4th Section Hymn Tune: Gawthorpe'85
Best Youth Band: Elland Youth
Best Youth Soloist: Elland Youth (cornet)
Youth Deportment: Elland Youth
Youngest Player: Charlie Yates (aged 9) Hebden Bridge Juniors
