There was a fine day of competitive action to enjoy in Buxton on the weekend as bands took the opportunity to showcase their own-choice test piece selections in the Octagon Theatre at the Pavilion Gardens in their bid to claim mid-season silverware.

Whitworth's winning essence

Expertly run by the NWABBA with the experienced Alan Widdop in the box, it was Whitworth Vale & Healey who took the combined Championship & First Section honours and £300 first prize with a classy rendition of 'Essence of Time' — also enjoyed by the composer who was in the audience.

The band's experienced euphonium player Ian Peters deservedly claimed the 'Best Soloist' award, whilst the silverware was completed as they also carried home awards for 'Highest Placed NWABBA Band' and 'Highest Placed First Section Band'.

The band summed up the day on their Facebook page by simply saying; "What an afternoon in Buxton!"

The performance also proved to be good enough to pip Wingates who gave Edward Gregson's 'Dances & Arias' an early work out before their Grand Shield appearance in Blackpool, with Skelmersdale Prize in third with their rendition of Eric Ball's 'Journey into Freedom'.

Second Section:

In the Second Section it was Delph led by Phil Goodwin who claimed victory, t Octagon Catering Cup and first prize of £300, courtesy of a super rendition of Steven Ponsford's 'Music of a Legacy'.

Their 'Best Cornets' also took home the Geoff Milner Trophy with the band also picking up the award as the 'Highest Placed NWABBA Band'.

There was also plenty to enjoy from the other contenders with Besses Boys in second playing 'The Saga of Haakon the Good' and Hawk Green in third with 'Purcell Variations'.

Third Section:

Although there were only two bands in the Third Section it was quality rather than quantity as Dobcross Silver and Stalybridge Old locked horns.

In the end Dobcross Silver under Jason M Smith continued their excellent run of form as the North West Third Section Area Champion took the honours and £300 first prize with a fine account of 'Images for Brass'.

It also saw them take the prizes for 'Best Euphonium Section' and as 'Highest Placed NWABBA Band', as well as make it a hat-trick of Third Section wins at the event.

Stalybridge Old was close behind as they gave a spirited rendition of 'Variations on Laudate Dominum'.

Fourth Section:

There was also plenty of good playing on show in the Fourth Section as St John's Mossley led by Ben Hill-Wilson took home the Columb McShane Shield as well as the £300 first prize and 'Highest Placed NWABBA Band' thanks to their well directed account of 'Variations on Laudate Dominum'.

Matlock was second with 'A Malvern Suite', with Blackley in third playing 'Stantonbury Festival'.

The band summed up the day on their Facebook page by simply saying; "What an afternoon in Buxton!"4BR

Result:
Championship & First Section:

Adjudicator: Alan Widdop

1. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Mike Golding)
2. Wingates (Matt Ryan)
3. Skelmersdale (Ben Coulson)
4. Bedworth (Jonathan Mott)
5. Foss Dyke (Gareth Westwood)

Best Soloist Ian Peters (Euphonium) Whitworth Vale & Healey
Highest Placed NWABBA and First Section Band: Whitworth Vale & Healey

Second Section:

Adjudicator: Alan Widdop

1. Delph (Phil Goodwin)
2. Besses Boys (James Holt)
3. Hawk Green (Neil Hewson)
4. Carlton Brass (Chris Banks)

Best Cornets: Delph
Highest Placed NWABBA Band: Delph

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Alan Widdop

1. Dobcross Silver (Jason M. Smith)
2. Stalybridge (Nigel Lawless)

Best Euphoniums: Dobcross Silver
Highest Placed NWABBA Band: Dobcross Silver

Fourth Section:

Adjudicator: Alan Widdop

1. St John's Mossley (Ben Hill-Wilson)
2. Matlock (Chris Banks)
3. Blackley (Karl Stott)

Best Basses: Matlock
Highest Placed NWABBA Band: St John's Mossley