Although Skelmanthorpe’s conductor John Roberts can’t quite give a rational explanation to why his band so enjoy performing at seaside contesting venues, he and his band are certainly not complaining after retaining their First Section Butlins title.

Sea air

"I don’t know what it is, but we seem to like the sea air," he told 4BR. "I’m putting down a House of Commons motion though to get Bradford moved closer to the sea in time for the Yorkshire Areas now!"

I’m putting down a House of Commons motion though to get Bradford moved closer to the sea in time for the Yorkshire Areas now!MD John Roberts

Retained title

Skelmanthorpe’s decisive win playing Edward Gregson’s ‘The Plantagenets’ saw them take the £1,500 top prize and the First Section trophy for a second successive year with a performance inspired in part by the MDs first sighting of the great Elgar Howarth resplendent in red shirt 35 years ago winning at Bradford with Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

Adjudicators Malcolm Brownbill and Paul Cosh gave the victory by a one point margin from Michael Fowles and United Yorkshire Co-op in second place with Vernon Building Society Poynton conducted by Kevin Gibbs in third.

Howarth Inspired

"My dad took us along that day to hear the bands and Howarth just stuck in my mind – not just because he was wearing an amazing red shirt, but the way in which he inspired Grimethorpe to play ‘Plantagenents’ that day. They were amazing and it was a major inspiration to me."

Friends

Although John was delighted at the win for his band he also sportingly acknowledged the achievement of runner up United Co-op Yorkshire, a former band of his. "I was there for a very enjoyable eight years and have some wonderful friends in the band. It’s great to see them gain a fine result too."

Hard work

As for Bradford? "Lots of hard work to put in now for that one. It’s great to win here – that’s three seaside victories in a row now (Skelmanthorpe also won Pontins at Prestatyn late last year), but the main aim now is to try and taste victory at Bradford."

A full retrospective of the First Section will appear on 4BR in the next 24 hours.