Amid the extensive collection of silverware on offer at the recent West of England Bandsmens' Festival at Bugle was a new trophy.

The Lang Bennetts Cup was presented not to a prize-winning band, winning conductor or 'Best' soloist, but to a man who deserved the public accolade as much as any other performer.

This year it went to Phillip Hunt, one of the most popular supporters, administrators and for many years, radio presenters in the banding movement.

Outstanding contribution

It marked his outstanding contribution to banding — not just with the famous Bugle Contest, but also with the Cornish Youth Brass Band and West of England Brass Band Association, but also for long association presenting the popular radio show 'Sounds of Brass' which started on a weekly basis in 1985.

Phillip, who served started out playing tenor horn with Torpoint Town Band was also a member of the National Contesting Council for over a decade and was made a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd in 2004 for his services to the brass band movement.