Marsden Silver gained a huge boost of confidence ahead of their Yorkshire Regional Championship challenge in Huddersfield in March as they secured victory in a three-way White Rose scrap for the North East Midlands BBA title in South Normanton on the weekend.

Diversion battle

Under the baton of Leigh Baker their rendition of the Area set-work 'Diversions' claimed the honours ahead of Yorkshire Imperial, with Horbury Victoria in third.

In addition to taking home the Arthur Levick Memorial Trophy, their soprano player Louise Belton claimed the 'Best Cornet' prize for her outstanding contribution on the daunting soprano part on the Bourgeois work.

Both Yorkshire Imperial and Horbury Victoria will also have taken positives form their performances (Annie Wilkins of 'Imps' taking the 'Best Euphonium' accolade), whilst there were encouraging performances from the Midlanders of Blidworth and Langley.

Lindley boost

Lindley Band will also head to Huddersfield on the weekend of the 1st & 2nd March boosted by victory on the deceptively difficult First Section Area set-work, 'Introduction, Elegy and Caprice' by Morley Calvert. MD Alan Widdop used all his years of experience to structure a fine account — one aided by the 'Best Soloist' contribution of soprano player Richard Jones.

The Midland Area duo of City of Coventry Brass and Hucknall & Linby claimed the podium spots.

Barnsley take-over

There was also a Yorkshire battle in the Second Section as Barnsley Brass led by Ben Brickles pipped defending champion Hatfield & Askern Colliery playing Oliver Waespi's 'Friendly Take-over'. The experienced Scott Bennett aided the winner's performance with his 'Best Horn' contribution.

Both will now look to secure their place at Cheltenham on the same work in Huddersfield. Third place went to Shirland Miners Welfare.

Rode Hall win

Rode Hall Silver and Ken Mackintosh will head to Blackpool in high spirits as they claimed the Third Section honours playing the Area set-work, 'Arkansas' — and off the number 1 draw. Their excellent cornet player Anna Whitehurst secured the 'Best Cornet' accolade.

Midlanders Whitwell was second with Yorkshire challengers and defending champion Dronfield in third.

Matlock success

Matlock took the Fourth Section honours for the fourth time since 2019 — going one better than last year in the process, as they took home the Gainsborough Band Challenge Cup aided by the 'Best Euphonium' contribution of Mark Cottee.

There were also solid 'I, Daedalus' performances from podium finishers Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) and Moulton '77.

Adjudicator Mareika Gray also enjoyed the performance of the talented players of Long Eaton Silver Prize Training Band conducted by Sharon Stansfield — including 'Best Instrumentalist' Henry Siviter on cornet and 'Youngest Player' Rowan Nicolson aged 8.

The contest organisers thanked the help they received in putting on a successful event, incouding both judges, Marie Smith and Patricia Hope for running registration and Mike Allcock and Emma Palmer who managed the movement of bands. There were also a host of volunteer helpers, equipment suppliers and sponsors.

Results:

Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Marsden Silver Prize (Leigh Baker)
2. Yorkshire Imperial (Ian McElligott)
3. Horbury Victoria (Duncan Beckley MBE)
4. Blidworth Welfare (Gary Perrin)
5. Langley (Cliff Parker)

Best Euphonium: Annie Wilkins (Yorkshire Imperial)
Best Soprano: Louise Belton (Marsden Silver Prize Band)

First Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Lindley (Alan Widdop)
2. City of Coventry Brass (Lee Woodward)
3. Hucknall & Linby MC (Simon Greswell)
4. Audley Brass (Tom Hancock)
5. Stamford Brass (Julian Bright)
6. Chapeltown Silver Prize (Gary Hallas)
7. Thoresby Colliery (Luke Pallister)
8. Oddfellows Brass (John Davis)

Best Soprano: Richard Jones (Lindley)

Second Section:

Adjudicator: Mareika Gray

1. Barnsley Brass (Ben Brickles)
2. Hatfield & Askern Colliery (Richard Marshall)
3. Shirland Miners Welfare (Lynden Cooper)
4. Leicestershire Coop (Ben Hewlett-Davies)
5. Strata Brass (David Holling)
6. Shirebrook Miners Welfare (Adrian Wood)
7. Carlton Brass (Chris Banks)
8. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker)
9. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Adrian Lacey)
10. Stourport-on-Severn (Oliver Wilson)

Best Tenor Horn: Scott Bennett (Barnsley Brass )

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Rode Hall Silver (Ken Mackintosh)
2. Whitwell Brass (Rob Deakin)
3. Dronfield (Jack Capstaff)
4. Newark Town (Gary Wyatt)
5. Maltby Miners Welfare (Terry Clifford)
6. Long Eaton Silver Prize (Sharon Stansfield)
7. Ibstock Brick Brass (Jon Penton)
8. Amington (Chris Barker)

Best cornet: Anna Whitehurst (Rode Hall Silver Band)

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Mareika Gray

1. Matlock (Chris Banks)
2. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (Sarah Fellowes)
3. Moulton 77 (Kirsty Woodhouse)

Best Euphonium: Mark Cottee (Moulton 77 Brass Band)

Training Band Section:

Adjudicator: Mareika Gray

1. Long Eaton Silver Prize Training Band (Sharon Stansfield)

Best Instrumentalist: Henry Siviter (cornet) — Long Eaton Silver Prize Training Band
Youngest Player: Rowan Nicolson (aged 8) — Long Eaton Silver Prize Training Band