The PolySteel Band is celebrating after retaining the Yeovil Entertainment Contest title year — a victory that's delighted its MD, Philip Harper.

Embrace

Philip told 4BR: "I just love this contest. You could hold it at anytime of the year and it just wouldn't matter. It's an excellent event that is so enjoyable to participate in."

With the contest coming ahead of the Regionals, Philip see's the event as a good 'litmus' test as to how the band is performing.

Victory at Yeovil not only gave PolySteel the first prize of £2000 and the Chris Palmer Shield, it ensured their fourth victory in six years.

Slow piece

It's a case of thinking of various permutations and wondering what will work, but one of the keys is the slow piece which adjudicators like when it comes to entertainment contestsPhilip Harper

Philip was honest about his preparations for the event when he told 4BR: "I do think ahead to how our programme will be presented long before the contest is on the horizon. It's a case of thinking of various permatations and wondering what will work, but one of the keys is the slow piece which adjudicators like when it comes to entertainment contests'.

Expanding on this year's reflective piece, Philip added; "In a Catholic School I came across the words and the tune that plays a major part in the Communion Service entitled 'In Love for Me', and it is something I've wanted to arrange for sometime. I was delighted with how today's performance of it went."

Onwards and upwards

With victory at Yeovil complete, Philip and the band will now turn their attention to the Regionals at Torquay on Sunday 9th March and a 40th birthday concert in Cheltenham in April.