The 14th Exmouth Brass Band Festival, promoted by the South West Brass Band Association, was held on the weekend at the Exmouth Pavilion, with a capacity audience enjoying a feast of music presented by 10 bands from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.

Congratulations

Adjudicating the entertainment contest, Paul Norley congratulated all the bands and musical directors for the high standard of playing, together with well thought out programmes of music, presentation and deportment.

Roche first

The first prize went to one of the area’s emerging bands Roche Brass, conducted by Simon Badge.

Based in central Cornwall and formed in July 2012, they picked up the awards as winners, Best First Section Band, Best Percussion Section of Ben Martin, Kenny Couch and Justin Carter and Best Soloist of the Day thanks to the outstanding playing of horn star Mark Letcher.

Supreme Command

They opened 'Supreme Command’ before moving through, ‘Amazonia’, the award winning horn solo ‘He ain't Heavy He's my Brother’, ‘Malaguena’, ‘Irish Blessing’, ‘Birdland’ and ‘Eve of the War'.

Second place went to Lympstone South West Telecoms conducted by Charles Fleming, who also won the Best Trombone Section award, with Cheltenham bound Pendennis Brass directed by Steve Thomas in third, as well as claiming the ‘Most Entertaining Band’ award.

Weather

Unfortunately, the recent summer weather did not continue until the day of the event, with only three bands able to present their open air concerts in the Pavilion Gardens before the rain came and play had to be abandoned.

However, Brian Elliott, SWBBA Secretary told 4BR: “Overall, the exemplary high quality of playing, deportment, presentation and friendly bonding of the bands with their public is a credit to the brass band movement.

The awards were presented by Bruce Taylor, Taylors Business Development & Marketing.

they picked up the awards as winners, Best First Section Band, Best Percussion Section of Ben Martin, Kenny Couch and Justin Carter and Best Soloist of the Day thanks to the outstanding playing of horn star Mark Letcher4BR

Results:

1. Roche Brass (Simon Badge)
2. Lympstone South West Telecoms (Charles Fleming)
3. Pendennis Brass (Steve Thomas)
4. Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne) (Sam Hirsins)
5. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
6. Tiverton Town (David Boorer)
7. Appledore (Jim Wortley)
8. Bratton Silver (Simon Carr)
9. City of Exeter Railway (Gareth Davies)
10. South Molton Town (Gil Taylor)

Exmouth Brass Band Festival Band 2013: Roche Brass
Best Entertaining Band: Pendennis Brass

Best Soloist: Mark Letcher (horn) Roche Brass
Best Percussion Section — Roche Brass
Best Trombone Section: Lympstone South West Telecoms