The Kirkbymoorside Band has been celebrating after achieving their highest ever placing at the Lower Section National Finals recently.

Hard work

Their 3rd place in the First Section was a result of an immense amount of hard work and plentyof support from the local community.

After a well attended 'open rehearsal' in the town, the band also took a large entourage of supporters to Harrogate for the day, and everyone was delighted with the outcome — one that means promotion to the Championship Section next year too.

Playing life

Whilst most of the bandsmen have been with Kirkbymoorside for most of their playing life — 28 players on the day in fact, another 19 learned to play through the band and 18 of them have never contested with anyone else. Even Musical Director John Woodward is also home grown talent too.

So 2008 has been a good contesting year indeed. Oh and finally we're so pleased that our "girly screams" were so well appreciatedJohn Barrett

Heart

The band is very much at the very much at the heart of its small rural community nestled on the perimeter of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The band boasts no financial wealth and exists on a shoestring provided by the townsfolk of Kirkbymoorside and the surrounding Ryedale area.

Fantastic

Deputy Bandmaster John Barrett told 4BR: "It is fantastic that our little homespun town band came third in the First Section — a competitive event that has involved over 100 bands throughout the UK this year. So 2008 has been a good contesting year indeed. Oh and finally we're so pleased that our "girly screams" were so well appreciated."