Performances of quality in all sections made for a weekend of absorbing competition in Torquay, as West of England titles were won in authoritative fashion by Flowers, Lympstone, Lanner & District, St Pinnock and Pendennis Brass.

Whether or not that will amount to further silverware come the York and London National Finals is another matter, but as many people remarked, including the adjudicators, the region will be sending some very impressive bands to try and do just that.

Championship Section:

Chief amongst them will be Flowers as they regained the Championship Section Trophy after producing an 'Elgar Variations' of boldly drawn inclinations tempered by stylistic refinement under Paul Holland.

With their Albert Hall berth once again pre-booked, there was no showboating on this occasion in their bid to secure the Area title. Instead, despite moments of unease, the ensemble cohesion and solo artistry was of an elite level that even rivals on the top of their form in any other region would have been hard pressed to beat. So it proved.

A little later, surrounded by celebrating players and with the Area trophy finally back in his grasp after a 12-month absence, Paul told 4BR that victory was the perfect start to what now could well become "a momentous year" for his band.

"It's the start I wanted — the performance and the result. It could be a momentous year with the Europeans on the horizon, our performance of Richard Blackford's 'Orbital' and the British Open and Brass in Concert to come.

We've been concentrating on five major works over the last few months in rehearsals and that intensity has paid off. We'll celebrate but then it's back to work."

Collective confidence

Defending champion Aldbourne certainly pushed them with a high-class early marker under Glyn Williams. It also spoke of the embedded collective confidence that he has inspired in a band that is also looking to make another significant mark at major events this year.

Any disappointment at not retaining the title will be put into perspective, as they now look towards the British Open and a fifth consecutive Albert Hall appearance.

A first though in London in the 162-year history of Verwood Concert Brass, as the band from Dorset made history under Kevin Smith with a performance of substance and sensitivity from the number 1 draw.

Their celebrations started as soon as they knew just what their podium finish meant, although those who have heard them here in the last few years (three fourth placed finishes since 2022) will have also appreciated the solidity of their progress under their MD.

Blemishes

Even with an extra qualification place on offer there was going to be at least one disappointed band. On this occasion it was Woodfalls. Despite arguably the most stylish 'Elgar' account of the contest under Russell Gray, they may have known that the accumulation of small blemishes would be telling.

Behind them there was a fine fifth place for Michelmersh Silver (as MD Kevin Smith enjoyed a memorable contest) whilst former champion Camborne rather stuttered to end sixth.

After that from St Dennis down, the inconsistencies and frailties became more readily identifiable for judges Alan Morrison and Christopher Bond (who stepped in to replace Leigh Baker who was ill).

Clear analysis

They were admirably clear in their analysis of what was heard in the box, with Alan saying that the overall standard had been, "good without being outstanding", with no band coming through totally unscathed. "There were no disasters and all the bands had something to offer".

That said, he added that the higher placed bands, "had shown their class in ensemble control and with their soloists" on a piece that gave MDs the opportunity to "make music".

Chris, who led GUS Band to Midlands success, perhaps understandably revealed that he felt Martin Ellerby's test-piece had been "a brilliant work", although he was equally honest in his opinion that it was also one where "all the necessary components to effectively separate the bands"had come though, particularly with the winner.

For Flowers, they will now hope to be able to separate themselves from rivals at the European Championships in Linz. If they do it there, a memorable year could start to look momentous.

First Section:

'Variations on 'Was Lebet' has proved to be an effective barometer of true First Section and potential Championship level aspirations around the country.

The cleverly crafted variants of Andrew Wainwright's work are not camouflaged — a point made by both judges Anne Crookston and Christopher Bond in their pre-result analysis, as they stated that there had been, "a clear top three" that claimed invitations to the National Final.

Instead, it was a clear understanding of relative tempo (the first variation and fugue especially), rhythmic precision, articulation, balance, phrasing and character that required command.

There was nothing hidden to find. The composer had laid it all out in his clearly constructed score. And that was exactly what the podium finishers, and the winners in particular did.

Historic marker

The marker came from Roche Brass from the number 1 draw, as Matt Green's band played with splendid vibrancy. It thoroughly deserved its end result and an immediate return to the National Finals where they will be confident of featuring in the prizes once more.

Lympstone soon followed to raise the qualification bar higher with a mature performance threaded with confident solo interventions and secondary lines built on a balanced, tonally warm ensemble foundation. Chris Spreadbury's informed interpretation added an extra level of title winning polish. It was classy both in design and execution.

And as they later revealed on their Facebook page, "an unbelievable result" that was "testament to every player, supporter and friend of the band", not only means that the Devon band now heads to York for a first Finals' appearance since 2017, but they also return to the Championship Section next year. No wonder they called it "historic".

Bournemouth delight

Just behind, but equally delighted was Bournemouth Concert Brass, as their nicely balanced qualifying rendition under Lloyd Bartlett gave the judges plenty to ponder at the tail end of contest of clearly defined levels.

With the top-three a margin ahead, there was a keen, evenly matched battle to consider for the remaining top-six places.

It was eventually headed by enjoyable accounts from Brunel Brass, Andover Town and St Austell, all of whom nearly but not quite managed to rid themselves of costly blemishes and occasionally wayward tempo choices and dynamic levels.

Behind them the standard fell away somewhat, although every band emerged in credit from a stern test of their First Section credentials.

Second Section:

Although the decision to turn the Riviera Centre sports hall into a bar, food and trade stands area for the event makes for a fantastic communal meeting space, it does mean that one section of competition has to take place just up the road at a local Baptist Church.

On this occasion it was the 16 Second Section bands that fitted into its snug surroundings, offering judges Alan Morrison and Stephanie Binns ample opportunity to appreciate the colourful narrative of Philip Harper's '20,000 Leagues under the Sea' test-piece.

The duo were certainly impressed, with Alan saying the overall standard had been "quite high" on "a beautiful crafted piece" that "tested everything to differing degrees".

Tuning and intonation challenges were a constant at this level (to be worked on each rehearsal he added). Get it right and bands were in with a chance. Stephanie added the elements of dynamic contrast, effects and 'horizontal' melodic phrasing into their decision-making mix.

They later added that an enjoyable contest had seen the best bands come clearly to the top, whilst those towards the bottom found more noticeable struggles. There had been much to enjoy as well as consider in their decision making.

Lanner success

In the end it saw the title claimed by Lanner & District Silver led by Stuart Chappell, who was also at the helm when the Cornish band last tasted victory in 2003.

Celebrating a long overdue success on their Facebook page, they said that they had "surfaced in triumph — battling through fierce competition (and a few imaginary sea creatures along the way) to be crowned Second Section Champions."

Their MD added: "The band got everything they deserved. They've worked incredibly hard and are a fantastic team — and that's what brings success." Hopefully there will be more to come later this year.

Strong qualifiers

They will be joined in York by strong fellow qualifiers in Verwood Town (marking a fantastic 'double' for the organisation and MD Kevin Smith), and Wotton-under-Edge, who built on their recent podium finish at the Oxfordshire Contest to secure a first finals' appearance since 2015.

The remaining top-six places went to newly promoted Lydney Town just ahead of Bratton Silver and St Keverne.

Third Section:

With plenty of historical literary inspiration also to be found in the West of England, the 17 Third Section contenders made the most of the opportunity to give atmospheric performances of Gordon Langford's 'Three Haworth Impressions'.

The best came from St Pinnock, from a little hamlet in the south east of Cornwall which rather handily given the imagery behind the work, is home to a wonderful medieval church and a Victorian railway viaduct.

Capture imagery

Those may or may not have given musical insight for guest conductor Helen Varley, but as the former Grimethorpe tenor horn player later told 4BR, she did tell her band to "capture the imagery of the work through styles of playing — bleak moorland, bustling villages and steam trains."

They did just that to secure a first Area title and National Final qualification since 2006, and give Helen victory on her conducting debut.

With MD Richard Marshall (who has family ties to the band) enjoying qualification success with his Yorkshire band of Hatfield & Askern Colliery, Helen will now lead St Pinnock in York in September.

Bream and York

Joining them will be Bream Silver, as the Forest of Dean band secured their first trip since 2012, with super show under Hugh Bamford, whilst the final spot went to Swindon Brass who provided the quality early marker for the judges under their rather aptly named MD, Stephen York.

Just behind in a contest of an encouraging overall standard that firmly endorsed the judges belief that "there hadn't been one bad performance", came from Cheltenham Silver, ahead of Exeter Railway and Bideford Town.

In fact, adjudicator Michael Alcorn (joined by Stephanie Binns) said that the 17 bands had provided a "wonderful morning" on "a brilliant piece", whose subtleties was still able to "differentiate between the best performances", as he detailed what they were looking for in each of the movements — from the mysterious opening to the "pure joy" of the last two movements.

Stephanie added that a little more detail about the stylistic nuances required, with the best bands bringing the different styles to bear- especially, "the stand-out winner".

Fourth Section:

Although the Fourth Section no longer boasts the quantity of competing bands it once did, the quality certainly remains.

The contest organisers are determined to encourage more to return, and were heartened to see a number this year take to the stage packed not just with enthusiasm and determination but plenty of youngsters, despite a few empty seats dotted around the stands.

Pendennis win

Whether Eric Ball's 'Indian Summer' was a major factor is perhaps debatable (although there were three more competitors than 2025), but it did make for a highly enjoyable contest, won in splendid fashion by Pendennis Brass conducted by Harry Weir.

With all the major basic building blocks in place, they added a sheen of drama, boldness and confidence to a super account as they built on the recent success at the SWBBA Contest in November to claim a first Area title since 2007.

100 year first

Joining them on the long journey to York in September will be a delighted Shaftesbury Town Silver Band as they secured what may well be a first appearance in their near 100-year history.

Just missing out by the narrowest of margins was South Molton Town, after they gave a cracking show under MD, Chris Willis, whilst the other solid top-six finishers were Bugle Silver, Tewkesbury Town and Pillowell Silver.

Super impressed

Behind them came the rest of the "13 fantastic performance", according to adjudicator Michael Alcorn, from bands whose conductors used a great deal of musical common sense in "stripping things back to the basics". He said he was "super impressed" by the standard. He wasn't wrong.

Alan Duguid echoed his opinions, adding that the standard of solo playing was also "really high", as was the critical percussion, which had "enhanced every performance".

Each was also boosted by plenty of youthful talent — summed up by the appearance of 8-year-old Karl Youde, (who wasn't even the youngest player in the contest) from Indian Queens whose feet didn't touch the floor when he was on stage. Neither did his mother, who told 4BR that she was 'cloud nine' after seeing him perform.

Inclusive weekend

The Area Championships in Torquay remains a fantastic advert for the banding moment — the competitive action played out against a backdrop of friendly rivalry and inclusive support.

That was seen at the packed results ceremonies that were once again enhanced by David Hayward, evidence that numbers are also slowly but surely returning to pre-covid levels thanks to the sterling work of Sue Oldfield (who also played) and her team.

Malcolm Wood

We've been concentrating on five major works over the last few months in rehearsals and that intensity has paid off. We'll celebrate but then it's back to workFlowers MD, Paul Holland

Results:

Championship Section:

Test Piece: Elgar Variations (Martin Ellerby)
Adjudicators: Christopher Bond; Alan Morrison

1. Flowers (Paul Holland)**
2. Aldbourne (Glyn Williams)*
3. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)*
4. Woodfalls (Russell Gray)
5. Michelmersh Silver (Kevin Smith)
6. Camborne (Dr Gareth Churcher)
7. St Dennis (Darren R Hawken)
8. A W Parker (Drybrook) (Joshua Ruck)
9. Lydbrook (David Barringer)
10. Filton Concert Brass (Michael Fowles)
11. City of Bristol Brass (Craig Roberts)
12. Chalford (Steve Tubb)

** Pre-qualified for National Final
* Qualify for National Final

First Section:

Test Piece: Variations on 'Was Lebet' (Andrew Wainwright)
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston; Christopher Bond

1. Lympstone (Chris Spreadbury)*
2. Roche Brass (Matt Green)*
3. Bournemouth Concert Brass (Lloyd Bartlett)*
4. Brunel Brass (Daniel Hall)
5. Andover Town (Ben Halstead)
6. St Austell Town (Steve Sykes)
7. Glastonbury Brass (Liam Grunsell)
8. Bodmin Town (Simon Badge)
9. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
10. Porthleven Town (Tom Bassett)
11. Gosport Solent Brass (Phillip Littlemore)
12. Forest of Dean Brass (Martyn Patterson)
13. Hyde (Kyle Blake)
14. Nailsworth Silver (Anri Adachi)
15. Sherborne Town (David Shead)
16. Plymouth City Brass (David Ponsford)
17. Helston Town (Andrew Berryman)

* Qualify for National Final

Second Section:

Test Piece: 20,000 Leagues under the Sea (Philip Harper)
Adjudicators: Stephanie Binns; Alan Morrison

1. Lanner & District Silver (Stuart Chappell)*
2. Verwood Town (Kevin Smith)*
3. Wotton under Edge & District (Jim Bennett)*
4. Lydney Town (Dr Thomas Dunne)
5. Bratton Silver (Colin Hogg)
6. St Keverne (Karl Long)
7. Denmead Brass (Estelle Flood)
8. Wroughton Silver (Neil Webb)
9. Weston Brass (Stephen Sykes)
10. Shrewton Silver (Emily Wilson)
11. Camborne Brass (Alan Pope BEM)
12. Mount Charles (Jeremy Taylor)
13. Ocean Brass (Chris Davis)
14. Cinderford (Steve Kane)
15. Poole Borough (Andrew Elliott)
16. Hatherleigh Silver (Ed Keeley)

* Qualify for National Final

Third Section:

Three Haworth Impressions (Gordon Langford)
Adjudicators: Michael Alcorn; Stephanie Binns

1. St Pinnock (Helen Varley)*
2. Bream Silver (Hugh Bamford)*
3. Swindon Brass (Steve Yorke)*
4. Cheltenham Silver (Neil Brownless)
5. Exeter Railway (Ben Elliott)
6. Bideford Town (Mark Durham)
7. New Forest Brass (Ian Luxford)
8. Shanklin Town Brass (IOW) (Ashley Wicks)
9. City of Bath Brass (Jason Andrews)
10. Redruth Town (Mark Wilson)
11. St Stythians (James Burns)
12. Downton (Lloyd Bartlett)
13. Illogan Sparnon Silver (Shaun Marsden)
14. Brunel Brass Academy (Daniel Hall)
15. Saltash Town (Joshua Green)
16. Crewkerne Silver (Paul Denegri)
17. Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver (Harry Chambers)

* Qualify for National Final

Fourth Section:

Test Piece: Indian Summer (Eric Ball)
Adjudicators: Michael Alcorn; Alan Duguid

1. Pendennis Brass (Harry Weir)*
2. Shaftesbury Town Silver (Martin Hill)*
3. South Molton Town (Chris Willis MBE)
4. Bugle Silver (Aaron Harvey)
5. Tewkesbury Town (Will Norman)
6. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn)
7. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Paul Pennicotte-Henri)
8. Weymouth Concert Brass (David Ansell)
9. Test Valley Brass (Alun Grace)
10. Indian Queens (George J Barnes-Collier)
11. Plymouth City Brass Academy (Paul Norley)
12. Chalford Academy (Steve Tubb)
13. Cheltenham Silver Academy (Colin Forster)

* Qualify for National Final