After two years of autumnal weather the sun returned to the recent Hardraw Scar Brass Band Festival.

It enabled the audience, packed into the famous waterfall gorge in the heart of Wensleydale in Yorkshire, to once again enjoy the entertainment programmes performed in the wonderful stone built bandstand without having to bring jumpers along with their bags full of refreshments.

The contest was organised by the Yorkshire & Humberside Brass Band Association with the generous support of local brewers Theakston's, whose representative Barry Gibb was on hand to present the prizes.

Prize winners

The prize for the 'Most Entertaining Band' of the day judged by entertainment adjudicators Andrew Potts and Andrew Fake went to Haslingden & Helmshore led by MD John Binns.

The music prizes, determined adjudicator Andrea Price were divided across two sections.

Section A comprised ensembles from Championship to Second Section, augmented by the ungraded Leyburn Band who had been promoted to Section A following their success in Section B in recent years.

A hugely enjoyable contest saw Haslingden & Helmshore claim the 'Best March' accolade, with Tintwistle awarded the 'Best Hymn Tune' prize.

However, it was Leyburn that took overall honours under Rebecca Lundberg, thanks in part to the wonderful 'Best Soloist' contribution of her sister Emma on the MD's composition 'Pater Noster'. Tintwistle was runner-up with Haslingden & Helmshore in third.

Debutant winners

In Section B (for Third and Fourth Section bands), the prize for 'Best Hymn' went to Otley, while Hardraw debutants Darwen Brass, under the experienced Mike Cotter, ran out overall victors, also claiming the prize for 'Best March', 'Best Basses' and 'Best Soloist'.

Stacksteads came both runner-up and took the 'Highest Placed Fourth Section Band' award while Shepherd Group Concert Brass rounded off the podium places.

Results:
Section A:

1. Leyburn (Rebecca Lundberg) — 172
2. Tintwistle (Andrew Mallon) — 171
3. Haslingden & Helmshore (John Binns) — 170
4. Shirland Welfare (Lynden Cooper) — 168

Most Entertaining Band: Haslingden & Helmshore
Best March: Haslingden & Helmshore
Best March (ungraded band): Leyburn
Best Hymn: Tintwistle
Best Soloist: Leyburn

Section B:

1. Darwen Brass (Mike Cotter) — 163
2. Stacksteads (Fred Bowker) — 151
3. Shepherd Group Concert Brass (Mike Pratt) — 149
4. Otley (Sam Watson) — 147
5. Durham Constabulary (Dennis Noble) — 146

Best March: Darwen
Best Hymn: Otley
Best Soloist: Darwen
Best Basses: Darwen
Best Fourth Section Band: Stacksteads