The Association of Band Traders has offerred its congratulations to the recipients of their two sponsored awards and the lucky winner of the Brass Band Archives prize draw at the recent Butlins Mineworkers Open Brass Band Festival.

Youngest Player

The ‘Youngest Player of the Day Award 2008’ was won by Bethan Burton from the Leicester Co-Operative Band. At just 10 years old, Bethan was the youngest player to take to the stage at the contest.

In addition to a lovely presentation banner provided by TOR Banners, Bethan also received a certificate and a £50.00 music voucher from The Music Company (UK) Ltd.

The prize draw was a great success and the Brass Band Archive look well on their way to having a new website up and running by the end of March4BR

Bandsperson of the Year

The ‘Bandsperson of the Year – Achievement Award 2008’ was unanimously awarded to Christine Gent for her dedication and commitment to founding and developing the Thoresby Youth Band.

Having started the band up just 7 years ago with only a handful of beginners, the group has built into a full strength contesting band with a healthy beginners class all of whom are taught by Christine.

Unsung heroes

Clair Tomalin, Secretary of the Association told 4BR: "It’s such a pleasure and very humbling to learn about the unsung heroes in the banding world. By awarding this to Christine, The Association hopes to give her at least some of the praise and acknowledgment she deserves for all her hard work and drive with Thoresby Youth Band. We also hope that it will encourage and inspire others to see what can be done with some determination and a passion for music."

Archive Winner

A prize draw was run at the Brass Band Archive Exhibition stand to help raise money to create a new website for the organisation.

With a brand new Euphonium having been donated by Virtuosi England Ltd as the prize, the response was very forthcoming.

Lucky ticket

The lucky ticket was purchased by Lucy Moore of Chesterfield, who was undoubtedly delighted to win the newly launched Regency VB-612S 4 Valve Euphonium. The prize draw was a great success and the Brass Band Archive look well on their way to having a new website up and running by the end of March.