After a very wet Whit Friday the only dampness in St Helens on Saturday was from the perspiration of the audience who sat in blazing sun all day.
Standing room only
The Festival supported by St.Helens MBC and administered by Lancashire Contests and the Mayor, Cllr. Terry Shield got proceedings underway and stayed with the event all day, saying ‘He had never enjoyed a better day and I am delighted to see so many young people in the bands’.
The two adjudicators Major Eddie Pickering (March) and Steven Brodie (Hymn) had a difficult time sorting the bands and Victoria Square was full from the off at 11 am and grew over the day to standing room only come the awards.
Contest debut
West Lancashire Youth Band took part in their first ever contest, although they were not expecting to win, they stated they took part for the joy of it and to gain experience.
The bands MD and trainer, Georgina Roberts said they all enjoyed the event and thought they played very well.
To encourage West Lancs, the management of Lancashire Contest have awarded them £100 toward their further training.
Blown away
Cllr. Wally Ashcroft who started the event two years ago was again ‘blown away’ with the support and the standard of the bands.
The overall winner of the march, Pemberton Old Wigan JJB, won £1,000 to go with being overall winner of the Hymn tune to win another £500.
The Best March per section won £500 and the Best Hymn another £200.
March:
1. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (M.Bentham)
2. Marsden Silver (G. Williams)
3. Haydock Brass (M. Quinn)
4. Rainford (N. Samuel)
5. Bactiguard Wire Brass (P. Andrews)
6. Greenall's (K. Stott)
7. Skelmersdale (J. Ludden)
8. Farnworth & Walkden (P. Ashley)
9. Valley Brass (D. Chadwick)
10. Flixton (A. Hobbins)
11. Golborne (D. Houghton)
12. Eccles Borough (L. Webb)
13. Parr St.Helens (R. Prescott)
14. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB ‘B’ (P. Ashley)
15. West Lancashire Youth (G. Roberts)
Hymn Tune:
1. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (M.Bentham)
2. Marsden Silver (G. Williams)
3. Rainford (N. Samuel)
4. Haydock Brass (M. Quinn)
5. Greenall's (K. Stott)
6. Bactiguard Wire Brass (P. Andrews)
7. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB Youth (J. Don Duncan)
8. Skelmersdale (J. Ludden)
9. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB ‘B’ (P. Ashley)
10. Farnworth & Walkden (P. Ashley)
11. Parr St.Helens (R. Prescott)
12. Flixton (A. Hobbins)
13. Valley Brass (D. Chadwick)
14. Eccles Borough (L. Webb)
15. West Lancsashire Youth (G. Roberts)
Overall Champions: Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (M. Bentham)
Championship Section: Marsden Silver (G. Williams)
First Section: Haydock Brass (M. Quinn)
Second Section: Rainford (N. Samuel)
Third Section: Greenall’s (K. Stott)
Fourth Section: Farnworth & Walkden (P. Ashley)
Youth Section: Pemberton Old Wigan JJB Yth. (J. Don Duncan)
