After two years away, the sound of contesting was heard at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton as the popular NWABBA Contest returned on the weekend.

There was encouraging support from bands with keenly fought battles in each of the sections providing a wide variety of test-piece choices for adjudicator James Holt to compare in the box.

Blidworth essence

In the joint Championship/First Section, Blidworth Welfare took the honours under MD Alan Gifford with a finely judged rendition of 'Essence of Time'. It proved good enough to repel the strong challenges of rivals Hucknall & Linby who performed 'Tallis Variations', with Old Silkstone ('The Land of the Long White Cloud') in third.

In his extensive remarks, James Holt summed up the performance by writing: "A super reading of the score — very well done MD! Some outstanding playing and fine soloists who played well — solo horn was magnificent! Real contrasts and clarity come through in abundance!"

In addition to the silverware for the victory, the band's 'magnificent' horn player Sandra Kowalenko took the 'Best Soloist' prize.

H&H boost

There was a great confidence boost for Haslingdon & Helmshore in the Second Section as they secured a first contest success since this event in 2017. Led by Joshua Hughes, they produced a fine performance of Kenneth Downie's 'Purcell Variations'.

It proved good enough to pip the strong challenge of Welsh visitors Royal Buckley Town who played 'The Land of the Long White Cloud' aided by their 'Best Cornet Section' team. Third place went to Dronfield (Genquip) who performed 'Variations on Laudate Dominum'.

More silverware for Whitworth

Butlin's Champion, Whitworth Vale & Healey secured victory in a keenly fought Third Section, as the vastly experienced Alan Widdop (closing in on his 50th contesting success) led them through an excellent account of Philip Sparke's 'Triptych'.

The band also took the accolade as 'Highest Placed NWABBA Band' with Ian Peters and Emily Maunder taking the 'Best Euphonium Section' award.

Hawk Green's rendition of 'Fire in the Blood' secured the runner-up spot with current North West Area Champion Skelmersdale having to be content with third on this occasion with their rendition of 'Purcell Variations'.

Another Dobcross success

In the Fourth Section, Jason M Smith and Dobcross Silver notched up their second successive contest victory with a well delivered account of Edward Gregson's 'Laudate Dominum', which also secured them the awards for 'Highest Placed NWABBA Band' and 'Best Basses'.

Welcome Welsh visitors Rhyl Silver was second with Stalybridge Old in third.

In addition to the great music on offer, photographer Daniel Taylor took plenty of great shots of the bands in action. These can be downloaded at:

https://www.dansphotos.co.uk/zg/buxton-brass-band-contest

Some outstanding playing and fine soloists who played well — solo horn was magnificent! Real contrasts and clarity come through in abundance!James Holt's remarks on Blidworth's winning performance

Results:
Championship/First Section:

1. Blidworth Welfare (Alan Gifford)
2. Hucknall & Linby (Paul Whyley)
3. Old Silkstone (George Newbould)

Best Soloist: Sandra Kowalenko (horn) — Bidworth Welfare

Second Section:

1. Haslingdon & Helmshore (Josh Hughes)
2. Royal Buckley Town (Keith G. Jones)
3. Dronfield (Genquip) (Adrian Wood)

Best Cornet Section: Royal Buckley Town

Third Section:

1. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Alan Widdop)
2. Hawk Green (Neil Hewson)
3. Skelmersdale (Ben Coulson)
4. Greenall's (Russell Prescott)
5. Pleasley Colliery (Geoff Benson)

Highest Placed NWABBA Band: Whitworth Vale & Healey
Best Euphonium Section: Whitworth Vale & Healey

Fourth Section:

1. Dobcross Silver (Jason M. Smith)
2. Rhyl Silver (Jamie Duncan)
3. Stalybridge Old (Dave Chapman)
4. Fairfield (Buxton) (Charles W. Kitchen)
5. St John's Mossley (Paul Towle)

Highest Placed NWABBA Band: Dobcross Silver
Best Bass Section: Dobcross Silver