There was a long overdue celebratory cry of ‘Yorkshire, Yorkshire’ heard at Cheltenham on the weekend, as the representatives of the White Rose county produced a high class one/two finish in the Third Section.

Great maturity

The title eventually ended in the hands of City of Bradford directed by Lee Skipsey, courtesy of a performance of ‘great maturity’ according to one of the adjudicators Paul Holland.

The former YBS Concert Band, now known as City of Bradford, has been reinvigorated under the former Black Dyke percussionist’s direction in the past couple of years.

Team effort

However, the conductor was the first to acknowledge that the victory was more of a team effort than anything else – and that the progress from the dark days of near collapse to the bright future now ahead was mirrored somewhat in the test piece, Richard Grantham’s ‘Darkness Visible’

"I felt we have been on a journey," he told 4BR. "So many great things have happened over the past few years, but its all about the band. They were awesome on stage. It was a great team effort without a doubt."

Challenge

That team effort off the early number 4 draw was enough to beat rivals Horbury Victoria under the direction of Duncan Beckley into second place, with last year’s runner up, Goodwick Brass led by Matthew Jenkins this time having to be content with third.

It now means that City of Bradford will be promoted to the Second Section – something, which Lee felt, was the next step in reaching the band’s full potential. "I thought today that we showed that we have the potential go to as far as we want. I’m already looking forward to the next challenge."

So many great things have happened over the past few years, but its all about the band. They were awesome on stage. It was a great team effort without a doubtMD, Lee Skipsey

Best Instrumentalist

That challenge is something the band’s ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award winner principal cornet player Tim Pool, is looking forward to also.

"I’m chuffed," he later told 4BR. "Not just for myself but for everyone. It’s such a great band to be part of, especially as I believe we have a great future ahead of us under Lee."

The winners certainly impressed the adjudicators, with Paul Holland full of praise. "From first note to last they were extremely consistent. They produced beautiful sounds in a display of great maturity. We had few if any negative comments."

Exciting journey

With Philip Harper expressing the same point in praising the top two bands in particular for the way in which they portrayed the exciting journey from darkness into light, he also revealed that it was more basic performance issues that tended to separate the bands further down the prize list.

Fundamentals

"Getting the fundamentals in place was so important," he said. "It was tuning, especially in the lower brass that was a major difference between those bands that did well and those who did not. There were no such problems with the winners."

At the announcement of the results the victory was greeted by a rare show of celebratory flag waving too – from none other than Peggy Tomlinson, the Yorkshire Regional Secretary.

For once she took the opportunity to show her delight on stage by unfurling a well concealed Yorkshire Rose banner for what was a first Yorkshire triumph since 1993.

Spread out

The remaining prizes were geographically spread out, with Whitworth Vale & Healey from the North West claiming fourth place under John Binns.

Brass Sounds Inverclyde under Lynda Nicholson gave the Scots something to cheer about in fifth, on what was overall a disappointing weekend for the region, and Sidmouth Town from the West of England gained a hard earned sixth place under Adrian Harvey.

Additional comments and thoughts on our twitter site:
http://twitter.com/4barsrest

Result:

Sunday 25th September
Test Piece: Darkness Visible (Richard Grantham)
Adjudicators: Philip Harper & Paul Holland

1. City of Bradford, Lee Skipsey, (Yorkshire), 4
2. Horbury Victoria, Duncan Beckley, (Yorkshire), 7
3. Goodwick, Matthew Jenkins, (Wales), 9
4. Whitworth Vale & Healey, John Binns, (North West), 16
5. Brass Sounds Inverclyde, Lynda Nicholson, (Scotland), 14
6. Sidmouth Town, Adrian Harvey, (West of England), 8
7. Hoover (Bolton), Trevor Halliwell, (North West), 10
8. Ripon City, Malcolm Dibb, (North of England), 11
9. York Railway Institute, Gordon Eddison, (North of England), 1
10. St. David's Brass, John A. Dickson, (Scotland), 5
11. Treherbert & District, Nigel Seaman, (Wales), 13
12. BAE Systems, Keith Woodger, (London & Southern Counties), 3
13. Amington, Wesley Kendrick, (Midlands), 15
14. Daventry, Nigel Howard, (Midlands), 2
15. Hangleton, Richard Baker, (London & Southern Counties), 6
16. Downton, Steven Mead, (West of England), 12

Best Instrumentalist: Tim Pool — cornet (City of Bradford)