Bathgate leads the Scottish raiders to claim the march and hymn tune at the Beamish Living Museum in County Durham.
The long seven hour round trip journey from West Lothian to County Durham proved to be a memorable one for Bathgate Band as they claimed the honours at the annual 'Brass at Beamish' march and hymn tune contest.
Topping both
Organised by the Durham County Brass Band Association since 2023 at the open air museum complex it saw the Scottish Championship Section band take the honours by topping both musical disciplines under the baton Craig Anderson.
Their performances of the march 'Simoraine' and the hymn 'When I Survey', arranged by Olaf Ritman certainly impressed adjudicator Alan Fernie as they took the honours by a clear three-point margin from North of England pairing of runner-up Felling Silver, with Cockerton Silver.
Defending champion GT Group Peterlee's hopes of making it a hat-trick of Beamish victories were dashed as they ended fourth.
Best Section awards went to Felling (Second), Spennymoor (Third) and Stape Silver (Fourth).
Looks forward
Speaking after the contest, Bathgate Band President, Gerry Duggan told 4BR: "The Beamish contest has become one of the events the band looks forward to most in our calendar.
The setting of the mining museum brings out the deep heritage of the brass band movement and particularly that of our band.
He added: "We're delighted we put on a performance that the adjudicator and the crowd really enjoyed. It makes the three hours travelling down in a bus worthwhile.
We want to say a huge thanks to the DCBBA for once again putting on a great contest and for their hospitality."
Thanks to Nigel Martin
The Beamish contest has become one of the events the band looks forward to most in our calendarBathgate Band
Result:
Adjudicator: Alan Fernie
March/Hymn = Total
1. Bathgate (Craig Anderson): 93/95 = 188
2. Felling Silver (Jason Smith): 92/93 = 185
3. Cockerton Silver (Andrew Hunter): 90/92 = 182
4. GT Group Peterlee (Lewis Wilkinson): 88/90 = 178
5. Annan Town (Lewis Wilkinson): 89/85 = 174
6. Dunston Silver (Fraser Hodgson): 85/89 = 174
7. Durham Miners Association (Stuart Gray): 86/87 = 173
8. Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Jason Smith): 84/86 = 170
9. Spennymoor Town (Fiona Casewell): 83/84 = 167
10. Stape Silver (Robin Rutter): 82/83 = 165
Best March: Bathgate
Best Hymn: Bathgate
Best Second Section Band: Felling Silver
Best Third Section Band: Spennymoor Town
Best Fourth Section Band: Stape Silver
