Any would-be Presidential candidate would certainly covet the type of long-term hegemony Foden's has imposed on rivals at the Whit Friday contests.

Appropriate then that it was extended this year with a series of razor-sharp renditions of William German's famous march (a regular favourite of theirs) which saw the Sandbach band officially sworn in as champions for the 20th time in the past 21 Tameside Borough elections.

Their relentless pursuit of musical excellence led by Michael Fowles added over £7,500 in accumulated winnings to their coffers in the process.

Little wonder that with the announcement of the General Election 48 hours earlier, three local MPs, Andrew Gwynne, Angela Rayner and Jonathan Reynolds were visible in supporting one of the most important events within the area.

Victories

All would also love to enjoy the results of Foden's overwhelming display of adjudicator vote winning playing — with eight first places achieved from the ballot boxes in Broadoak, Carrbrook, Droylsden, Dukinfield (Tame Valley), Heyrod, Hurst Village, New Stalybridge Labour Club and Top Mossley.

Runner-up spots came at Hyde Central and Denton, whilst a visit to Grotton in Saddleworth saw them finish third. The only deposit loss came with a 16th place at Lydgate.

Despite the time gap between the unofficial and official confirmation of yet another victory, Foden's Band Manager said that it was still a thrill to claim victory once again.

"As always, we worked extremely hard in our preparation on 'The President' and were pleased with our consistent performances across all twelve venues we visited.

Our thanks go to Mike Fowles for once again whipping us into shape for what is a hugely enjoyable, but demanding night, and to the volunteers and Tameside Council who once again put on fantastic events."

Attention now turns to a trio of high-profile June concerts, before preparations start for the defence of their British Open title in Birmingham in September.

Rothwell in Wizard form

Rothwell Temperance once again showcased their march playing skills as under David Roberts they produced a series of polished performances of George Allen's 'The Wizard'.

The best came with victory at the new venue at Hyde Central, whilst they were runner-up at Broadoak, Droylsden, Dukinfield Tame Valley and Hurst Village. Third place at Denton completed a highly impressive set of 'top-six' contest results.

Podium battle

There was a keen battle for the final podium spot in the overall results table between Leyland and welcome West of England visitors Aldbourne.

In the end it was Leyland's 'Knight Templar' that edged it with victory at Denton to go with podium finishes at Broadoak, Heyrod, Staybridge Labour Club and Top Mossley.

Local, Section and Youth awards

There was an equally keenly fought battle for the Local Area Champion honours, as Ashton under Lyne's consistency saw them boost their night's takings by an extra £750, ahead of the fine performances from Mossley and Stalybridge Old (who boosted their Cheltenham National Finals fund raising pot).

After a detailed trawl through the results spreadsheet the Section awards went to Tyldesley, Marple, Rivington & Adlington and St John's (Mossley), each taking plenty of higher section scalps on their travels. *

Regular visitors Macclesfield Youth took the Youth honours under Louise Renshaw ahead of Mossley Hollins High School on a night when there were plenty of vibrant performances on offer.

Hard working success

Although the hard-working organisers of the Tameside contests, as well as the local council, have faced considerable challenges over the past year, there was once again a super atmosphere and warm welcome on offer to competitors and visitors alike.

That was shown at Hyde Central, who hosted a Whit Friday contest for the first time, receiving positive feedback from the bands who attended.

Adjudicator Duncan Wilson told 4BR: "Hugh Roderick and his team of volunteers worked incredibly hard to make sure everything ran smoothly.

It was impossible to know how many bands would turn up, but to get 21 bands, including many of the 'big guns' to perform to an enthusiastic audience was something they should be really proud of.

I hope this is the first of many more and will act as a catalyst for other potential venues too. It was a great day."

In addition, the lure of a £1,500 first prize at Top Mossley (the largest on offer across both circuits) certainly paid dividends, with the likes of Black Dyke and Brighouse & Rastrick (and even City of Canning from Australia) making detours to battle for a share of the £4,515 prize pot.

Malcolm Wood

Our thanks go to Mike Fowles for once again whipping us into shape for what is a hugely enjoyable, but demanding night, and to the volunteers and Tameside Council who once again put on fantastic eventsFoden's Band

Results:
Tameside Council:

Area Open Champion: Foden's (£2,000)
Runner-up: Rothwell Temperance (£1,000)
Third place: Leyland (£750)

Youth: Macclesfield Youth (£250)
Runner-up: Mossley Hollins High School (£100)

First Section: Tyldesley (£500)
Second Section: Marple (£400)
Third Section: Rivington & Adlington (£350)
Fourth Section: St John's (Mossley) (£300)

*The overall First, Second and Third Sections awards were amended following enquiries into the initial announcement of the result.

Local Area Champion:

1. Ashton-under-Lyne (£750)
2. Mossley (£600)
3. Stalybridge Old (£400)

The Tameside Contests are supported by Tameside Council

Broadoak:

Main Prize: £500
Prize Fund: £1,620
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley
32 competing bands

1. Foden's (£500)
2. Rothwell Temperance (£250)
3. Leyland (£150)
4. Longridge (£120)
5. Aldbourne
6. Hawk Green

Best First Section Band: Blackburn & Darwen (£100)
Best Second Section Band: Sklemersdale (£80)
Best Third Section Band: Hawk Green (£80)
Best Fourth Section Band: Stalybridge Old (£70)

Best Local Band: Ashton under Lyne (£70)
Runner-up: Mossley (£50)
Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth (£50)
Runner-up: HD9 Community Youth (£30)

Deportment: Stacksteads (£50)
Youth Deportment: Macclesfield Youth (£30)

First Band: Foden's (£20)

Carrbrook:

Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,540
Adjudicator: John Davies
33 competing bands

1. Foden's (£400)
2. Aldbourne
3. Longridge
4. Rothwell Temperance
5. Leyland
6. Silk Brass

Best First Section Band: Silk Brass
Best Second Section Band: Marple
Best Third Section Band: Rivington & Adlington
Best Fourth Section Band: Stalybridge Old

Best Local Band: Ashton under Lyne

Best Youth Band: Mossley Hollins High School (£60)
Runner-up: HD9 Community Band (£50)

Deportment: Skelmersdale
Youth Deportment: Macclesfield Youth

First Band: Mossley Hollins High School
Stewards Prize: HD9Communioty Youth

Denton:

Main Prize: £250
Prize Fund: £1,265
Adjudicator: Alan Bourne
32 competing bands

1. Leyland (£250)
2. Foden's
3. Rothwell Temperance
4. Longridge
5. Elland Silver
6. Aldbourne

Best First Section: Tyldesley
Runner-up: Blackburn & Darwen

Best Second Section: Glossop Old
Runner-up: Old Hall Brass

Best Third Section: Rivington & Adlington
Runner-up: Darwen

Best Fourth Section: St John's (Mossley)
Runner-up: Stockport Silver

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth

Best Local Band: Ashton under Lyne

Deportment: Rothwell Temperance
Best Cornet Player: Longridge
Best Trombone Section: Leyland
Best Youth Cornet Player: Macclesfield Youth
Best Fourth Section Basses: St John's (Mossley)

Droylsden:

Main Prize: £350
Prize Fund: £1,230
Adjudicator: Ryan Breen
26 competing bands

1. Foden's (£350)
2. Rothwell Temperance (£150)
3. Aldbourne
4. Leyland
5. Northop Silver
6. Mossley

Best First Section Band: Northop Silver (£175)
Best Second Section: Sklemersdale Prize (£90)
Best Third Section: Darwen Brass (£75)
Best Fourth Section: Stalybridge Old (£50)

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth (£80)

Stewards Choice: St John's (Mossley) (£50)

First Band: Foden's (£25)

Dukinfield Tame Valley:

Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,700
Adjudicator: Colum O'Shea
30 competing bands

1. Foden's (£400)
2. Rothwell Temperance (£200)
3. Northop Silver (£100)
4. Leyland
5. Blackburn & Darwen
6. Aldbourne

Best First Section Band: Blackburn & Darwen
Best Second Section Band: Besses Boys
Best Third Section Band: Darwen Brass
Best Fourth Section Band: Stalybridge Old

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth (£150)
Runner-up: Mossley Hollins High School (£50)

Best Local Band: Mossley (£200)
Runner-up: Stalybridge Old ((£150)
Third: Ashton under Lyne (£100)

Heyrod:

Main Prize: £600
Prize Fund: £2,080
Adjudicator: Phillip Littlemore
34 competing bands

1. Foden's (£600)
2. Aldbourne
3. Leyland
4. Chav Brass
5. Longridge
6. Elland Silver

Best First Section Band: Silk Brass
Best Second Section Band: Marple Concert Brass
Best Third Section Band: Rivington & Adlington
Best Fourth Section Band: St John's (Mossley)

Best Youth Band: HD9 Community Youth Band
Runner-up: Mossley Hollins High School
Third: Macclesfield Youth

Peoples Choice: Chav Brass
Best Scratch Band: Chav Brass
Best Local Band Ashton under Lyne

Deportment: Blackburn & Darwen
Youth Deportment: Mossley Hollins High School

First Youth Band to play: HD9 Community Youth Band
First Band: Bangor University

Best Cornet: Aldbourne

Hurst Village:

Main Prize: £600
Prize Fund: £1,875
Adjudicator: Jack Capstaff
32 competing bands

1. Foden's (£600)
2. Rothwell Temerance
3. Aldbourne
4. Longridge
5. Hawk Green
6. Elland Silver

Best First Section Band: Mossley
Best Second Section Band: Glossop Old
Best Third Section Band: Hawk Green
Best Fourth Section Band: Stockport Silver

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth
Runner-up: Mossley Hollins High School

Best Local Band: Mossley

First Band: Foden's
Last Band: Hawk Green

Hyde Central:

Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,405
Adjudicator: Duncan Wilson
21 competing bands

1. Rothwell Temperance (£400)
2. Foden's
3. Aldbourne
4. Leyland
5. Mossley
6. Tyldesley

Best First Section Band: Mossley
Runner-up: Tyldesley

Best Second Section Band: Glossop Old
Runner-up: City of Birmingham

Best Third Section: Rivington & Adlington
Runner-up: Hawk Green

Best Fourth Section Band: Stalybridge Old
Runner-up: St John's Band Mossley

Best Youth Band: Macclesfield Youth

Best Local Band: Mossley
Runner-up: Ashton under Lyne

Best Deportment: Foden's
Youth Deportment: Macclesfield Youth

First Band: City of Birmingham

The New Stalybridge Labour Club:

Main Prize: £400
Prize Fund: £1,405
Adjudicator: Rob Burnett
32 competing bands

1. Foden's (£400)
2. Leyland (£200)
3. Aldbourne
4. Rothwell Temperance
5. Tyldesley
6. Elland Silver

Best First Section Band: Tyldesley
Best Second Section Band: Old Hall Brass
Best Third Section Band: Rivington & Adlington
Best Fourth Section Band: Stalybridge Old

Best Local Band: Ashton under Lyne
Runner-up: Mossley

Best Youth Band: HD9 Community Youth (£75)
Runner-up: Macclesfield Youth (£50)

First Band: Elland Silver (£50)

Top Mossley:

Main Prize: £1,500
Prize Fund: £4,515
Contest Adjudicator: Alan Duguid
40 competing bands

1. Foden's (£1,500)
2. Leyland (£700)
3. Black Dyke (£400)
4. Aldbourne
5. Brighouse & Rastrick
6. KNDS Fairey

Best First Section Band: Blackburn & Darwen (£250)
Best Second Section Band: Skelmersdale (£250)
Best Third Section Band: Eccleston (£250)
Best Fourth Section Band: St John's (Mossley) (£250)

Best Youth Band: Mossley Hollins High School (£200)

Best Local Band: Ashton under Lyne (£275)
Runner-up: Stalybridge Old (£250)

Deportment: City of Canning (£100)