About 500 brass players together with their friends and families recently descended on the North Wales town of Mold for the annual Brass Band Championships, organised by the North Wales Brass Band Association.

Head to head

Beaumaris came out on top in a head to head competition with Point of Ayr band in the Open Section for senior bands.

Playing 'Blitz' and 'Paganini Variations' respectively, both bands produced performances that impressed adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth.

Adjudicator, Kevin Wadsworth remarked on the good standard attained by all four junior bands and congratulated their tutors for their hard work and dedication4BR

Double success

In a double success for Beaumaris, their junior band won the 'Under 18's' Section, beating off strong challenges from the junior bands from Northop, Llanrug and Menai Bridge.

Adjudicator, Kevin Wadsworth remarked on the good standard attained by all four junior bands and congratulated their tutors for their hard work and dedication, not forgetting the contribution made by the parents of the young players.

Bragging rights

In Section 2, Deiniolen claimed bragging rights over rivals Llanrug, whilst the Menai Bridge took the honours in Section 3.

Nine bands competed for the Section 4 prize with the trophy going over the border to the Parr St Helens band for the second successive year.

The Northop Training Band, containing mostly beginners, was the only entry in Section 5.

On behalf of the Association, Chairman Jim Williams said that this was the first time the event had been held in Mold and it had been a great success. He thanked the Town Council for its support in staging the event.

Results:
Open Section:
1. Beaumaris (Gwyn Evans)
2. Point of Ayr ( John Hinckley)

Best March: Point of Ayr
Best Soloist: Aled Williams (Point of Ayr)

Section 2:
1. Deiniolen (Gavin Saynor)
2. Llanrug (Paul Hughes)

Best March: Llanrug
Best Soloist: Dylan Hughes (Deiniolen)

Section 3:
1. Porthaethwy/Menai Bridge (Chris Williams)

Best March: Porthaethwy
Best Soloist: Morgan Marston (Porthaethwy)
Best Bass Trombone Section 2/3: Patrick Rimes (Deiniolen)

Section 4:
1. Parr (St Helens) (Martin Halliwell)
2. Abergynolwyn (Aled Williams)
3. Rhyl Silver (Milne Robinson)

Best March: Llay Welfare (Trevor Sutherland)
Best Soloist: Russell Prescott (Parr)

Section 5:
1. Northop Training Band (John Williams)

Best Soloist: Sophie Hughes-Roberts (Northop Training)

Youth Bands:
1. Beaumaris Youth (Bari Gwilliam)
2. Northop Youth (Marieka Gray)
3. Llanrug Youth (Rebecca Roberts)

Best March: Northop Youth,
Best Soloist: Bronwen Evans (Beaumaris Youth)

Event adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth