Following its extensive refurbishment the glorious Victorian Octagon Theatre in Buxton welcomed back bands for the 54th Buxton Brass Band Festival on the weekend.

Competitors came from the North East, North West, Wales and the Midlands to entertain the supportive audience with what adjudicator Mike Kilroy called "a day full of excellent music making."

Boost

In what proved to be a timely boost of confidence before they head to the British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool, the top prize in the joint Championship/First Section went to Ratby Cooperative Band conducted by David Purkiss.

Their fine rendition of their own-choice selection of Paul Huber's 'Symphonic Music', the piece they will play at the Winter Gardens on 18th May, pipped rivals Bedworth with Milton Keynes in third. The band's solo Eb tuba player Matt Wilkins took the 'Best Soloist' award.

Exciting

Victory in the Second Section went to North Skelton led by Lewis Wilkinson, with their exciting rendition of 'The Son of Light' by Bertand Moren, helped by the contribution of their 'Best Section' cornet team. It gave them victory over North of England rivals Cockerton with Besses o' th' Barn in third.

It was the band's third win of what is turning out to be a memorable 2019 and 50th anniversary year, following success at the Durham Festival in February followed by their Area triumph in Durham.

North West based Whitworth Vale & Healey under the baton of Chris Binns claimed the Third Section honours with a colourful rendition of Gilbert Vinter's 'Vizcaya', helped by the award winning efforts of their euphonium section. Hawk Green (Marple) was runner-up with Stalybridge Old in third.

In the Fourth Section Rode Hall Silver conducted by Nigel Butler reinforced their recent fine form with a splendid performance of 'Music for a Festival' by Philip Sparke to take the honours ahead of Seindorf Beaumaris. St. John's Mossley was third, with their tuba team taking the 'Best Section' award.

With thanks to Shirley Woodward

Their fine rendition of their own-choice selection of Paul Huber's 'Symphonic Music', the piece they will play at the Winter Gardens on 18th May, pipped rivals Bedworth with Milton Keynes in third4BR

Results:
Championship/First Section:

Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Ratby Co-operative (David Purkiss)
2. Bedworth (Wayne Ruston)
3. Milton Keynes (Jonathon Mott)
4. Flixton (Matthew Ryan)
5. Haslingden & Helmshore (Simon Cowan)
6. Shirebrook Miners' Welfare (Jim Henson)

Second Section:

1. North Skelton (Lewis Wilkinson)
2. Cockerton (Andy Hunter)
3. Besses o' th' Barn (Trevor Halliwell)
4. Royal Buckley Town (Keith Jones)
5. Besses Boys (James Holt)

Third Section:

1. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Chris Binns)
2. Hawk Green (Marple) (Neil Hewson)
3. Stalybridge Old (James Atkins)
4. Dinnington Colliery (Lee Dunkley)

Fourth Section:

1. Rode Hall Silver (Nigel Butler)
2. Seindorf Beaumaris (Scott Lloyd)
3. St. John's Mossley (Paul Towle)