For the first time since 1989 the cooperation band took the honours at the Fife Brass Band Festival held in Lochgelly.

Their 20-minute set opened with a choreographed 'Amazing Grace', complete with sousaphone and which featured the thrilling 'Best Soloist' skills of principal cornet Jim Hayes.

It was followed by the stylish genre sounds of 'Nightingale Dances' before they closed with Howard Snell's masterful arrangement of Wagner's 'Procession to the Minster'.

Speaking about their success via their Faceboook page they stated: "The band have had a great day competing at the 2023 Fife Brass Band Festival. Thank you to all the organisers for such a well run contest!

Thanks go to John Hinckley for conducting us to 1st place today. We have enjoyed working with John over the past 9 months & look forward to many more to come! "

Bands were required to play an own-choice entertainment programme, which included a solo item, with the British Open and National Championship finalist taking the honours ahead of First Section challengers Kirkintilloch Band and Bathgate.

First Section challengers

Kirkintilloch's programme opened with 'Valaisia Variants' followed by the soprano solo 'Flowerdale' splendidly delivered by Erin McSporran. Contrast came with the hymnal sounds of 'Deep Harmony' before they closed with 'Phoenix' from 'War of the Worlds'.

Meanwhile, Bathgate headed east to open with 'Lawrence of Arabia' before further film score music came with 'Gabriel's Oboe', the colourful 'Salsation' and 'Somewhere' from West Side Story.

Most entertaining

Defending champion Kingdom Brass was fourth as they looked to make it four wins in a row at the event with Campbeltown securing the 'Most Entertaining Band' prize in fifth with a set that opened with the bright sunshine of 'Malequena' and ended with 'Dark Knight' sounds of 'Batman' via 'Under the Boardwalk', 'Eleanor Rigby' and 'The Irish Blessing'.

The final top-six place went to 'Best Second Section Band', Clackmannan with the 'Best Third' and 'Vets Fourth' Section awards taken by Shott's St Patrick's Brass and McTaggart Scott Loanhead.

The entertainment judges were Jill Gillespie and Madeleine Baker, whilst compere Susan Chown introduced Kirkintilloch Youth Band who provided pre-results entertainment of their own.

The band have had a great day competing at the 2023 Fife Brass Band Festival. Thank you to all the organisers for such a well run contest!the cooperation band

Result:

Adjudicator: Anne Crookston

1. the cooperation band (John Hinkley): 98pts
2. Kirkintilloch Band (Hedley Benson): 97pts
3. Bathgate Band (Craig Anderson): 96pts
4. Kingdom Brass (Paul Drury): 94pts
5. Campbeltown Brass (Neil Samuel): 93pts
6. Clackmannan District (Paul Drury): 92pts
7. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman): 91pts
8. Lochgelly (Chris Shanks): 90pts
9. Shotts St. Patrick's Brass (Andy Shaw): 88pts
10. McTaggart Scott Loanhead (Peter Holmes): 86pts
11. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (Steven Craig): 85pts
12. Dunfermline City Brass (Andy Shaw): 84pts

Most Entertaining Band: Campbeltown Brass
Best Soloist: Jim Hayes (cornet) — the cooperation band

Best Championship Section Band: the cooperation band
Best First Section Band: Kirkintilloch Band
Best Second Section Band: Clackmannan District
Best Third Section Band: Shotts St. Patrick's
Best Fourth Section Band: McTaggart Scott Loanhead