There are plenty of lasting memories that come from holiday trips to various coastal resorts each year.

Little wonder then that Dodworth Colliery MW were thrilled to be able to create many more to cherish after claiming the £2,000 first prize on offer on their early season outing to Skegness.

Benjamin Tubb's snapshot postcard suite of Bournemouth, recalled as a youthful 17 year old, made for a thoroughly engaging contest.

Colour, character, vibrancy

All six bands created colour, character and vibrancy in their performances — from the syncopated anticipation and excitement of the opening 'Balloon Ride', to the night time reflections of far away pyrotechnics and the Donald McGill fun of a day in an entertainment arcade.

Perhaps Dodworth Colliery MW conductor Eliot J Darwin has enjoyed many a happy weekend from Whitby to Westwood Ho! himself, as he certainly inspired a cracking performance from his players to take their first Butlins Mineworkers Championship title.

He has been at their helm for 15 years. The exciting, excitable youthful talent that first made an impression on 4BR way back in 2005 has now matured into a considered and considerable MD — one who has admirably steered his band through the usual vicissitudes of contesting life (including National title success as well as the disappointment of relegation) during his tenure.

Chuffed

This victory, their first in over a decade, was thoroughly deserved. No wonder they said they were "chuffed"with their win and on being awarded the prize for 'Highest Placed Mining Band' in the process. And all off the number 1 draw too.

Their band representative was that and more as he stepped up to the stage to receive the silverware. "We played really well and enjoyed ourselves on stage.

Eliot is brilliant and everyone wants to do well for him,"he said as he proudly clutched the two trophies in his hands. He was soon engulfed by a tidal wave of celebrating colleagues.

There was high praise from the judges David Roberts and Alan Widdop for all the bands in fact (with the usual caveats of getting the basics right), with Dodworth pushed all the way to the winning line by a super account from Spennymoor Town led by the ever-smiling Fiona Casewell, who enthused her troops right from the opening bar of the piece.

Special mention

Amington's spirited account under Alan Gifford's neat direction eventually came third, with the undiluted enthusiasm of Sherwood Forest Brass and Woodbridge Excelsior in fourth and fifth.

A special mention should also go to Whitwell Brass who has attended every Butlins Mineworkers Championship over the years. Under the baton of Adrian Wood they took to the stage with just 5 cornet players in their ranks, but performed splendidly — the MD urging and encouraging with a smile on his face for every bar of the piece.

It was a super effort and will hopefully signal a real upturn in fortunes. They are the type of brass band anyone and everyone should be proud to be associated with.

Malcolm Wood

This victory, their first in over a decade, was thoroughly deserved. No wonder they said they were "chuffed" with their win and on being awarded the prize for 'Highest Placed Mining Band' in the process4BR

Result:

Test Piece: A Bournemouth Suite (Benjamin Tubb)
Adjudicators: David Roberts & Alan Widdop

1. Dodworth Colliery MW (Eliot Darwin)
2. Spennymoor Town (Fiona Casewell)
3. Amington (Alan Gifford)
4. Sherwood Forest Brass (Christine Lippeatt)
5. Woodbridge Excelsior (Chris Lewis-Garnham)
6. Whitwell Brass (Adrian Wood)

Highest Placed Mining Band: Dodworth Colliery MW