Although winning the Wychavon Entertainment title may not have been on the original list of the twelve labours of Hercules, it was certainly a new one achieved in considerable style by Hepworth Band and MD, Ryan Watkins in Evesham on the weekend.

In addition to the quartet of march victories already claimed in 2024, a high quality reprise of the set that brought Red Admiral contest honours just a few weeks ago in Chorley, proved good enough to ensure that another demanding challenge was met.

A very confident band will now look forward to cutting off the Medusa heads of rivals at the Yorkshire Area Championships in Huddersfield and clearing out the Augean Grand Shield stables of potential British Open qualifiers in Blackpool in May.

Delighted

Reflecting on their success through their Facebook page they said: "The band are delighted to walk away champions at our last contest outing of 2024. Thank you to the organisers, committee and volunteers for another brilliant event and congratulations to Newstead Brass, and Parc & Dare for their respective podium places."

Hepworth's clever mythical musical mix of drama, love and destruction, aided by the excellent 'Best Soloist' contribution of horn soloist Georgia Wood, deservedly claimed the £1,000 top prize ahead of the vibrant jazz inspired challenge of Newstead Brass with a delighted Parc & Dare in third.

The remaining top-six places went to Wantage, Brunel Brass (who secured the qualification place for the Senior Trophy) and Lydbrook, who claimed the separate entertainment prize.

Blackburn win

Blackburn & Darwen returned to the top of the podium at Wychavon for the first time since 2019 as they secured the £750 first prize and trophy under MD Daniel Thomas.

In addition, they also secured an extra £100 in claiming the entertainment prize for their 'Space' themed set, as they finished a point ahead of runner-up, Flixton, with First Section National Champion, Northop in third.

Lydbrook's outstanding xylophonist Darcy Beck helped the Forest of Dean band into fourth place ahead of top-six finishers Freckleton and Crofton Silver.

Cross Keys finale

A confident Cross Keys Silver added to their recent victory at the West Wales BBA Contest by claiming a third Wychavon success under Sion Rhys Jones by a clear two-point margin.

They won the Fourth Section title together in 2021 and 2022 and came third last year, with victory marking the perfect send off for their MD in what was his final contest outing with the band. They also claimed the 'Best Percussion' accolade to add to the trophy and £500 cash prize.

Newport Borough made it a Welsh one/two as they came runner-up, with cornet soloist Rob Spencer taking the 'Best Soloist' award, whilst Stourport on Severn secured a second successive podium finish at the event in coming third as well as claiming the entertainment prize.

City of Birmingham, Staines Brass and Cinderford claimed the remaining top-six places.

Imposing Lydney

Arguably the most impressive result of the day came in the Third Section, where Lydney Town took the Emley Foundation Cup and £400 first prize by a massive 9-point margin under MD, Thomas Dunne.

It was some way to end 22 years of waiting to secure a contest first prize as they said on their success on their Facebook page.

"We can't thank our MD, Thomas Dunne enough for all of his hard work developing 'The Tale of the Princess and the Dragon' and working with the band to create a musical fairytale!"

Originals

The set featured three original arrangements and compositions — 'Wild Mountain Thyme' and 'Princess and the Dragon', which featured their flugel and bass trombone soloists. They closed with a new composition by Malcolm Hannaford-Waddington entitled, 'There Will Come Soft Rains'.

2023 Fourth Section winner Putney & Wimbledon was runner-up, with defending champion Verwood Town in third, with cornet player Richard Warren taking the 'Best Soloist' accolade. The remaining top-six places went to Bideford Town, Wem Jubilee and Clock Face Miners Heritage.

The entertainment and percussion awards were claimed by Cleobury Mortimer, whilst the Dave Hodgetts Memorial Trophy marking his outstanding contribution to the event went to George Watts of Bideford Town.

Warwick Kings

There was a highly enjoyable Fourth Section battle as the University of Warwick led by Tom Stoneman secured the £300 first prize ahead of Pillowell Silver and entertainment prize topper Wem Jubilee.

Warwick's principal cornet Hannah Taylor deservedly took the 'Best Soloist' award, whilst their percussion team also added more silverware.

Reflecting on their success on their Facebook page they said: "We had an absolutely fantastic day performing our set, 'King Arthur and the Fire of the Forgotten Ally'.

It was an absolutely fantastic result — also winning 'Best Percussion Section' and our very own Hannah Taylor winning the 'Best Soloist' prize. We couldn't have wished for a more incredible result and are all so proud of our band. A massive thank you to our wonderful MD, Tom Stoneman."

The remaining top-six places went to Blaenavon Town, Shaftesbury Town Silver and Croft Silver.

The band are delighted to walk away champions at our last contest outing of 2024. Thank you to the organisers, committee and volunteers for another brilliant event and congratulations to Newstead Brass, and Parc & DareHepworth

Results:

Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Christopher Bond

1. Hepworth (Ryan Watkins): 194
2. Newstead Brass (Martin Heartfield): 192
3. Parc & Dare (Chris Turner): 191
4. Wantage Silver (Chris King): 190
5. Brunel Brass (Daniel Hall): 189
6. Lydbrook (Gareth Ritter): 188
7. Flixton (Adie Smith): 187
8. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray): 186
9. Fulham (Sam Hairsine): 184
10. Sandhurst Silver (Josh Geddes): 183
11. Sovereign Brass (Alan Gifford): 182
12. Haverhill Silver (Nathan Waterman): 181
13. Langley Band (Cliff Parker): 180
14. Blidworth Welfare (Gary Perrin): 179
15. Bedworth Brass (Jonathan Mott): 178
16. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas): 177
17. Mossley Band (Duncan Byers): 176

Winning Conductor: Ryan Watkins (Hepworth)
Entertainment Award: Lydbrook
Best Soloist: Georgia Woodhead (horn) — Hepworth
Best Baritones: Wantage Silver
Best Percussion: Langley

Spring Festival qualification invitation: Brunel Brass

First Section:

Adjudicator: Andrea Price

1. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas): 194
2. Flixton (Adie Smith): 193
3. Northop Silver (Ben Coulson): 192
4. Lydbrook (Gareth Ritter): 188
5. Freckleton (Adam Taylor): 187
6. Crofton Silver (Dean Jones): 186
7. Michelmersh Silver (Kevin Smith): 185
8. Jackfield (Ryan Richards): 184
9. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray): 183
10= Haydock Band (Mark Quinn): 182
10= Parc & Dare (Chris Turner): 182
12. Bedford Town (Craig Patterson): 181
13. Harborough (Ben Smith): 180
14. Langley Band (Cliff Parker): 179
15. Bedworth Brass (Jonathan Mott): 177
16. Mossley Band (Duncan Byers): 176
17= Wotton-under-Edge (Jim Bennett): 174
17= Epsom & Ewell Silver (Tariq Ahmed): 174

Winning Conductor: Daniel Thomas (Blackburn & Darwen)
Entertainment Award: Blackburn & Darwen
Best Soloist: Darcy Beck (xylophone) — Lydbrook
Best Baritone Section: Northop Silver
Best Percussion: Northop Silver

Second Section:

Adjudicator: Chris Wormald

1. Cross Keys Silver (Sion Rhys Jones): 192
2. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett): 190
3. Stourport-on-Severn (Oliver Wilson): 189
4. City of Birmingham Brass (Saphran Ali): 188
5. Staines Brass (Gareth Trott): 187
6. Cinderford (Steve Kane): 186
7. Waterbeach Brass (David Minchin): 185
8. Abertillery Town (Stephen Sykes): 184
9. Ocean Brass (Andy Wareham): 183
10. Welwyn Garden City (William Douglas): 181
11. Towcester Studio (Neil Brownless): 180

Winning Conductor: Sion Rhys Jones (Cross Keys Silver)
Entertainment Award: Stourport on Severn
Best Soloist: Rob Spencer (cornet) — Newport Borough
Best Baritones: City of Birmingham
Best Percussion: Cross Keys Silver

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Mike Lovatt

1. Lydney Town (Thomas Dunne): 189
2. Putney & Wimbledon (Sam Topp): 180
3. Verwood Town (Kevin Smith): 178
4. Bideford Town (Mark Durham): 176
5. Wem Jubilee Band (Cathy Rutherford): 174
6. Clock Face Miners Heritage Brass (Will Haw): 173
7. Cubbington Silver (Kieron Howe): 172
8. Towcester Studio (Neil Brownless): 171
9. Cleobury Mortimer Concert Brass (David Nicholson): 170
10. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn): 169
11. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith2) (John Murray): 168
12. Welwyn Garden City (William Douglas): 167
13. Shipston Town (Alex Bland): 164
14. Ynyshir Brass (Rob Burnett): 162
15. Cheltenham Silver (Adrian Jowett): 157

Winning Conductor: Thomas Dunne
Entertainment Award: Cleobury Mortimer Concert Brass
Best Soloist: Richard Warren (Verwood Concert Brass)
Best Baritones: Wem Jubilee
Best Percussion: Cleobury Mortimer

Fourth Section:

Adjudicator: Chris Wormald

1. University of Warwick Brass (Tom Stoneman): 184
2. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn): 183
3. Wem Jubilee (Cathy Rutherford): 182
4. Blaenavon Town (Alun Williams): 188
5. Shaftesbury Town Silver (Martin Hill): 180
6. Croft Silver (Henry Dunger): 179
7. Gresley Colliery Community Band (Matt Pope): 177

Winning Conductor: Tom Stoneman (University of Warwick Brass Band)
Entertainment Award: Wem Jubilee
Best Soloist: Hannah Taylor (University of Warwick Brass Band)
Best Baritones: Pillowell Silver
Best Percussion: University of Warwick Brass Band