The unseasonal wind and showers did not deter the 21 bands that took part in the 88th West of England Bandsman’s Festival in Bugle on the weekend.

Centenary event

The centenary event saw the competitors undertake the traditional march through the village to the contest field, applauded along the way.

Despite the conditions, both adjudicators, John Berryman and Derek Greenwood, praised the bands for the high standard of their open air performances, with Derek particularly impressed with the six bands that took part in the Youth & Training events.

Royal victory

In the Championship Section, the £1,000 first prize and the magnificent Royal Trophy went to St Dennis conducted by Darren Hawken – the first time in 18 years that the band had claimed the title.

They took the honours on both the set hymn, ‘I’ll Walk with God’ by Goff Richards and test piece ‘Tallis Variations’, with individual awards going to Lee Wylde as ‘Best Player’ and ‘Best Solo Cornet’, Paul Richards as ‘Best Soprano’ and Kimberley Bazeley as ‘Best Euphonium’.

Cornish battle

In what was to proved to be an enjoyable three way Cornish battle, St Austell, directed by Gareth Pritchard pushed their rivals all the way, claiming individual awards for basses and ‘Best Horn’, with Mount Charles conducted by David Johnson just a short neck behind in third.

St Dennis Band President Mr Denis Hill accepted the Royal Trophy and the accompanying £1000 prize money onstage, with a spokesperson telling 4BR:

"This victory highlights the hard work and dedication of the band and its conducting team over the last few years and further emphasises their status as one of Cornwall’s finest bands."

March back

The poor weather conditions failed to dampen their celebration too, as they took the opportunity to march back into the village to perform the traditional victory concert for an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd.

This victory highlights the hard work and dedication of the band and its conducting team over the last few years and further emphasises their status as one of Cornwall’s finest bandsSt Dennis Band spokesperson

Section awards

In the First Section, Helston Town directed by John Hitchens won both the test piece and march elements to pip local favourites Bugle from notching up a centenary victory, whilst Heyl Town and Tiverton Town took the Second and Third Section honours.

There was a healthy entry of seven bands in the Fourth Section where Devon visitors Tiverton Town conducted by Andrew Harris made it a Bugle ‘double’, edging out Redruth and Lostwithiel.

There was just the one entry in the Youth Section with Mount Charles taking the hours, whilst, St Austell Juniors came out on top in the Training Section.

Further information:

For further information go to: www.buglebandcontest.co.uk

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: John Berryman
Test Piece: Tallis Variations (Philip Sparke)

1. St Dennis (Darren R Hawken) — 191
2. St Austell (Gareth Pritchard) — 190
3. Mount Charles (David Johnson) — 189

Hymn Melody: I’ll Walk With God (Nicholas Brodszky arr. Goff Richards)
1. St Dennis (Darren R Hawken) — 188
2. St Austell (Gareth Pritchard) — 187
3. Mount Charles (David Johnson) 186

Best Player Award: Lee Wilde (cornet) — St Dennis

First Section:
Adjudicator: John Berryman
Test Piece: A Cornish Festival (Goff Richards)

1. Helston Town (John Hitchens) — 187
2. Bugle Silver (Jeremy Willcock) — 186
3. Camborne Brass (Alan Pope) — 185

March: Arnhem (A E Kelly)
1. Helston Town (John Hitchens) — 186
2. Camborne Brass (Alan Pope) — 185
3. Bugle Silver (Jeremy Willcock) — 184

Best Player Award: Leanne Osborne (flugel) — Helston

Second Section:
Adjudicator: John Berryman
Test Piece: Symphonic Suite for Brass Band (Leighton Lucas)

1. Heyl Town (David Loukes) — 180

Hymn: Aurelia (arr. Rieks van der Velde)
1. Heyl Town (David Loukes) — 180

Best Player Award: Matt Livingstone (horn) – Heyl Town

Third Section:
Adjudicator: John Berryman
Test Piece: Anglian Dances (Alan Fernie)

1. Tiverton Town (Andrew Harris) — 180

Best Player Award: Tina Pillivant (cornet) – Tiverton Town

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: John Berryman
Test Piece: English Folk Song Suite (Ralph Vaughan Williams arr. Frank Wright)

1. Tiverton Town (Andrew Harris) — 178
2. Redruth Town (Norman Johns) — 177
3. Lostwithiel Town (Denzil Stephens) — 176
4. Liskeard Silver (Adrian Letts) — 175
5. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Richard Beardon) — 174
6. Camborne Junior Contest (Alan Pope) — 173
7. St Newlyn East (Barry Skinner) — 172

Best Player Award: Tanya Gilbert-Davies (Cornet) — Redruth

Youth Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Greenwood
Own Choice: Laudate Dominum (Edward Gregson)

1. Mount Charles Youth (Jeremy Taylor) — 185

Best Players Awards:
Best Player: Rachel Crabb (euphonium)
Best Cornet: Tomas Medhurst Feeny
E J Williams Memorial Trophy to the Winning Conductor: Jeremy Taylor

Training Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Greenwood
Test Piece: 10 minutes own choice music

1. St Austell Juniors (Mark Arnold) — 175
2. Lanner Brass Academy (Phil Matthews) — 174
3. Plymouth Soundhouse Junior (Emma Heard) — 172
4. Launceston Junior (Ann Brown) — 171
5. Lostwithiel Junior (Jane Whitehead) — 170

Best Player Awards:
Best Player: William Tucker (kit) — Launceston
Best Cornet: Siana Rouse (Lanner Brass Academy)

Special Awards:
Best Soprano: Paul Richards (St Dennis)
Best Solo Cornet: Lee Wilde (St Dennis)
Best Euphonium: Kim Bazeley (St Dennis)
Best Solo Horn: Joanna Scott (St Austell)
Best Set of Basses: St Austell

A R Trudgian Youth Awards:
Yasmin Stevens (St Austell)
Matthew Julian (Camborne)

Deportment Class:
1. Okehampton Excelsior Silver
2. Bugle Silver