Thoresby Colliery Band continued their excellent 2017 form by claiming the Whiston Festival of Brass title. Directed by David Holling they took the honours ahead of Yorkshire rivals Strata Brass, with Chapeltown Silver in third.

The band's star flugel player Mandy Holling deservedly took the 'Best Instrumentalist Award, whilst Section awards were presented to Stannington (Best First/Second Section) and Shirland Welfare (Best Third/Fourth Section)

Fine day

It proved to be a fine day of music making — starting off with a brief interlude of Irish dancing, as well as a sing-along session for young and old, with Elsa and Anna from Disney's 'Frozen'.

The youngsters in the Training and Unregistered Section also provided the audience with great musical treats.

Final touch

As a great final touch, players were invited to join the final band on stage, Strata Brass for the 'Acrobat Challenge', whilst members of the audience were also asked to take part in a brief prayer for the victims of the terrorist atrocities in Manchester & London, accompanied by a stirring rendition of the hymn 'Manchester'. The evening ended with '1812 Overture' with synchronised fireworks.

It proved to be a fine day of music making — starting off with a brief interlude of Irish dancing, as well as a sing-along session for young and old, with Elsa and Anna from Disney's 'Frozen'4BR

Results:

Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth

Championship Section:

1. Thoresby Colliery (David Holling)
2. Strata Brass (Jonathan Bates)
3. Chapeltown Silver (Andrew Dennis)

First/Second Section:

1. Stannington (Derek Renshaw)
2. South Yorkshire Police (Jack Capstaff)
3. Worsbrough Brass (John Hopkinson)

Third/Fourth Section:

1. Shirland Welfare (Lynden Cooper)
2. Maltby Miners Welfare (Terry Clifford)
3. Loxley Silver (Lee Dunkley)

Junior & Unregistered Section:

1. Shirland Training (Ian Beckett)
2. Lions Junior Brass (Tom Hancock)
3. Rotherham Schools (Jeremy Wade)