Although the Area Championship spotlight was firmly on Blackpool's Winter Gardens on the weekend, there was also a great opportunity for bands in the Yorkshire and Midlands region to test their preparations ahead of their own Cheltenham challenges in Huddersfield and Bedford over the next couple of weekends.

20 contenders

A good number did just that at the North East Midlands Brass Band Association contest at the Post Mill Centre in South Normanton in Derbyshire with 20 contenders in various sections trying to catch the ear of the experienced Dave Lea in the box.

In the First Section it was Hatfield led by Stan Lippeatt who gave themselves a timely boost of confidence ahead of their trip to Huddersfield Town Hall as they took the honours ahead of the Midlands duo of Carlton Brass and Hucknall & Linby.

Hade Edge also gave their 'Phoenix' a polish before their Huddersfield appearance as they took the Second Section honours ahead of Rolls Royce (Derby) and Chapeltown, whilst Long Eaton won the Third Section and Matlock the Fourth.

Encouraging day

An encouraging day also saw the presentation of 25 year long service awards to Helen Cutting and Chris Sweeney of Long Eaton Band, whilst the organisers thanked all the stewards and helpers as well as Newstead Brass for the loan of the percussion equipment.

In the First Section it was Hatfield led by Stan Lippeatt who gave themselves a timely boost of confidence ahead of their trip to Huddersfield Town Hall as they took the honours ahead of the Midlands duo of Carlton Brass and Hucknall & Linby4BR

Results:

First Section:

Symphony of Marches (Gilbert Vinter)

1. Hatfield & Askern (Stan Lippeatt
2. Carlton Brass (Gary Wyatt
3. Hucknall & Linby (Paul Whyley)
4. Crofton (Dean Jones)
5. Shirebrook (Jim Henson)
6. South Leicester Co-op (Brendan Caddy)

Best Soloist: Mike Kilmartin (soprano) — Hatfield & Askern

Second Section:

Rise of the Phoenix (Darrol Barry)

1. Hade Edge (Jonathan Beatty)
2. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell)
3. Chapeltown (Sam Fisher)
4. Shirland Welafre (Lynden Cooper)
5. Bakewell (Andy Davey)
6. Market Rasen (Dave Dernley)
7. Ireland Colliery (Lindon Bolt)

Best Horn: Sally Cargo (flugel) — Hade Edge

Third Section:

First Suite in Eb (Gustav Holst))

1. Long Eaton (Sharon Stansfield)
2. Trentham (Mike Caveney)
3. Dinnington (Lee Dunkley)
4. Cleethorpes (Brian Harper)

Fourth Section:

Stantonbury Festival (Ray Steadman-Allen)

1. Matlock (Chris Banks)
2. Maltby Miners (Terry Clifford)

Soloist Awards:

First & Second Sections:
Best Cornet: Hade Edge (soprano)
Best Horn: Hade Edge (flugel)

Third & Fourth Section:
Best Solo cornet: Trentham
Youngest Player: Hannah Dennis (Long Eaton)