It proved to be a successful Father's Day recently for the Morecambe Band as they claimed the march and entertainment honours at the excellently run Kirkby Lonsdale event.

A dozen bands from Lancashire and Cumbria performed to a large audience in the Market Square with their 20-minute programmes having to contain both a march and a hymn tune.

To Boldly Go

Morecambe's winning programme under MD Andrew Porter was entitled 'To Boldly Go'- with it astronomical space exploration inspiration based on 8 year old Aoife Porter's (the MD's young daughter) ambition to one day work for NASA.

It saw Morecambe march into the contest arena to the sounds of 'Star Wars', celebrating the 40th anniversary of the film 'Return of the Jedi', before presenting Aoife (through mum Carol) in the year 2053 communicating to the audience from the International Space Station, with a musical backdrop of 'Also Sprach Zarathustra'.

The storyline saw Aoife overcome potential disaster as the band performed Dan Price's dazzling 'Starburst!' before trombone soloist Becky Stead was featured on Christopher Bond's 'Second Star to the Right'. It also meant that the band could cleverly insert T.J. Powell's march 'The Spaceman' before a rendition of 'I Vow to Thee my Country' ('Jupiter') by Holst.

Beam me up

Aoife then asked Scotty of Star Trek fame to 'beam her up' for the exciting finale of 'Enterprising Young Men' arranged by Jack Capstaff before a neat encore of 'Bring Me Sunshine'.

Adjudicator Paul Andrews called it 'a great show, entertaining and energetic' as they took the honours which included prizes for 'Best March', 'Best Hymn Tune', Best Entertainment' and 'Best Deportment'.

Over the moon

Speaking about the victory, their first at the event since 2008, MD Andrew Porter could miss the opportunity to tell 4BR: "I'm 'over the moon' with our preparation and performance of new and challenging.

The process has sharpened the focus in anticipation toward the National Finals as it gives us a spring in the step through Summer. It was a pretty good way to enjoy Father's Day with the family too!"

Podium finishers

Second place on a highly entertaining day went to Eccleston Band with a set that included the classic march 'Viva Birkinshaw' and 'J'Entends Le Moulin' as well as a super rendition of 'Glorious Ventures' played by principal cornet Andrew Pullin which won the 'Best Soloist' award.

Third place went to Rivington & Adlington Band with their Tina Turner tribute alongside the Rolling Stones and the Mamas and Papas as they took the 'Best Fourth Section Band' prize, whilst the 'Best Soloist' award for the Fourth Section went to Jonathan Sanderson of North Lakes Brass for his fine performance of 'First Light'.

The process has sharpened the focus in anticipation toward the National Finals as it gives us a spring in the step through SummerMorecambe MD, Andrew Porter

Result:

Adjudicator: Paul Andrews

1. Morecambe
2. Eccleston
3. Rivington & Adlington

Other competitors (draw order):

Burneside Brass Training
Flixton Community
Valley Brass Training
Kirkby Lonsdale
Brindle
Burneside
Lancaster City
Greenalls
North Lakes

Best Third Section Band: Morecambe
Best Fourth Section Band: Rivington & Adlington
Best Training Band: Flixton Community

Best March: Morecambe
Best Hymn Tune: Morecambe
Best Entertainment: Morecambe
Best Deportment: Morecambe

Best Soloist Third Section: Andy Pullin (cornet) — Eccleston
Best Soloist Fourth Section: Jonathan Sanderson (cornet) — North Lakes Brass