The 68th Annual Championships of the South West Brass Band Association were held at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay on the weekend, where 29 bands competed in six sections.

Verwood Concert Brass, conducted by Kevin Smith, claimed the honour of becoming SWBBA Champion Band by winning the Open Section title thanks to a fine performance of Gilbert Vinter’s classic test piece ‘Spectrum’.

In a contest that featured an eclectic selection of own choices works, it proved good enough to beat off the strong challenge of Chalford, playing ‘English Heritage’ and Lanner & District performing ‘Cloudcatcher Fells’.

Good form

In the Second Section, Bugle champion Bodmin Town continued their run of recent good form by taking the title with a fine rendition of the set work, ‘Rhapsody in Brass’ under John Maines, whilst Heyl Town won the Third Section with a well delivered performance of ‘Music for a Festival’ directed by Shaun Marsden.

There was an encouraging line up of bands in the Fourth Section, where Malcolm Arnold’s classic ‘Little Suite’ brought plenty of fine playing out of the contenders.

In the end it was Weymouth Concert Brass, who beat off the challenge of podium finishers Pendeen Silver and Porthleven Town.

Excellent standard

Adjudicators David Lancaster and Barry Thompson were certainly impressed by the standard of playing they heard, stating that they had enjoyed ‘an excellent day of quality music performances in all sections.’

Barry also commented that the playing in the Youth & Training Band Sections was, ‘excellent — particularly from such very young children’.

In the Training Section, there were two gold award own choice performances from St Keverne Training and Soundhouse Training leading the way, whilst Mount Charles Youth won the Youth Section with a mature performance of ‘Indian Summer’ ahead of St Keverne’s well delivered ‘A Malvern Suite’.

Once again Torquay proved to be a popular venue, with a well run event supported by member bands. The trophies were presented by the Association’s recently elected President, Sue Richards.

Spotlight on Service

During the presentations, the Association’s coveted ‘Spotlight on Service’ award went to Chairman Ray Kingdon — only the eighth occasion in the 68 year history of the Association that it has been made.

Philip Morris, Kapitol Promotions also presented a ‘Roll of Honour’ certificate to Brian Elliott in recognition of his services to the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

Adjudicators David Lancaster and Barry Thompson were certainly impressed by the standard of playing they heard, stating that they had enjoyed ‘an excellent day of quality music performances in all sections4BR

Results:

Open Section:
Own Choice:

1. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
2. Chalford (Steve Tubb)
3. Lanner & District Silver (Stuart Chappell)
4. South West Communication Lympstone (Richard Harvey)
5. Hyde (Johnathan Lush-Camps)
6. Shrewton Silver (MichaelDunford)

Highest Placed First Section Band: Verwood Concert Brass
Best Cornet Player: Soprano cornet with Hyde

Second Section:
Test Piece: Rhapsody in Brass (Dean Goffin)

1. Bodmin Town (John Maines)
2. St Keverne (Gareth Churcher)
3. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
4. Weston Brass (Tony Osborne)

Best Instrumentalist: Solo Horn of Bodmin Town

Third Section:
Test Piece: Music for a Festival (Philip Sparke)

1. Heyl Town (Shaun Marsden)
2. St Stythians (James Burns)
3. South Molton Town (Gil Taylor)

Best Horn Section: St Stythians

Fourth Section:
Test Piece: Little Suite for Brass No.1 (Malcolm Arnold)

1. Weymouth Concert Brass (Kevin Goodwin)
2. Pendeen Silver (Darren Jenkin)
3. Porthleven Town (Tom Bassett)
4. Tiverton Town (David Boorer)
5. Bideford Town (Mark Durham)
6. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Richard Beardon)
7. Torbay Brass (Graham Eaton)
8. Newquay (Ben Martin)
9. Totnes (Alan Wilmott)

Best Basses: Pendeen Silver

Training Section:

1. St Keverne Training (Gareth Churcher) — Gold Award
2. Soundhouse Training (Gary Thompson) — Gold Award
3. St Stythians Training (Liza Burns) — Silver Award
4. Appledore Training (Neil Hamilton) — Bronze Award
5. Totnes Training (Alan Wilmott) — Bronze Award

Best Instrumentalist: Solo Cornet of Soundhouse Training

Youth Section:

1. Mount Charles Youth (Jeremy Taylor) — Gold Award
2. St Keverne Youth (Gareth Churcher) — Silver Award

Best Instrumentalist: Solo Cornet of Mount Charles Youth