There was a fine turn out of bands from both sides of the River Severn in Weston Super Mare on the weekend, where there were wins for Sandhurst Silver, Leicestershire Co-operative, Avonbank (Evesham) and Bratton Silver.

Year of the Dragon

Sandhurst took the Championship Section honours under one of the in form MDs of the moment, David Johnson with their performance of Philip Sparke’s ‘Year of the Dragon’.

It was enough to give them a one point winning margin from adjudicator Malcolm Brownbill, over Chalford, with St Keverne three points further back in third.

Adjudicator Malcolm Brownbill remarked on the high standard, as well as the broad choice of music performed by the competing bands on the day.

Adjudicator Malcolm Brownbill remarked on the high standard, as well as the broad choice of music performed by the competing bands on the day4BR

Hat trick

In the Second Section Leicestershire Co-op (Snibston) continued on their rich vein of contesting form, winning their third title of the year under the baton of Graham Jacklin. T

Their performance of ‘Resurgam’ gave them a two point winning margin over Forest of Dean, with Lewis Merthyr in third.

Cross border battle

There was a real cross border battle in the Third Section, where Avonbank (Evesham) took the honours thanks to their performance of ‘Suite Gothique’ ahead of Welsh rivals Briton Ferry Silver and Tata Steel (Port Talbot).

Comprehensive victory

In the Fourth Section, there was a comprehensive victory for Bratton Silver as conducted by Simon Carr, their performance of ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ gave them a commanding four point win over rivals Abertillery & District Youth with Thornbury Town in third.

Results:

Championship/First Section:
Adjudicator: Malcolm Brownbill

1. Sandhurst Silver (David Johnson) — 190
2. Chalford (Steve Tubb) — 189
3. St Keverne (Gareth Churcher) — 186
4. Portishead Town (Ian Dickinson) — 185
5. Kidlington Concert (Duncan Wilson) — 181
6. Yeovil Town (Kevin Robbins) — 180

Best Cornet: Emily Godwin (Chalford)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Malcolm Brownbill

1. Leicestershire Co-op (Graham Jacklin) — 188
2. Forest of Dean (Martyn Ford) — 186
3. Lewis Merthyr (Gareth Pritchard) — 185
4. Cinderford (Clive Lewis) — 184
5. Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne) (David Hatton) — 182
6. Blaenavon Town (Andrew Protherough-Jones) — 179

Best Euphonium: Steve Barham (Leicestershire Co-op)

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Peter Roberts

1. Avonbank (Evesham) Brass (N/K) — 182
2. Briton Ferry Silver (Christian Jenkins) — 181
3. Tata Steel (Port Talbot) (Ceri Thomas) — 180
4. Pontypool Brass (Owen Farr) — 179
5. Bream Silver (Huw Cole) — 178
6. Croft Silver (Ian Needham) — 177
7. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn) — 176
8. Newport Borough (Ivor Bennett) — 175

Best Basses: Avonbank (Evesham) Brass

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Peter Roberts

1. Bratton Silver (Simon Carr) — 184
2. Abertillery & District Youth (Dean Evans) — 180
3. Thornbury Town (Darren Williams) — 179
4. Wincanton Silver (Brian Kelloway) — 178
5. Malvern Hills District Brass (Kevin White) — 177

Best Soloist: Lisa Bradley (Wincanton Silver)