The Durham County Brass Band Association held its 75th Anniversary Festival of Brass contest at East Durham College in Peterlee, with over £1000 in prize money and 18 trophies being awarded.

75th anniversary

The 75th anniversary also saw each competing band presented with an engraved glass trophy to commemorate the occasion.

In Section C it was Bearpark & Esh who gave themselves a timely boost of confidence ahead of the North of England Area contest with a fine victory on their own choice selection of ‘An English Pastorale’ under the baton of Tim Oldroyd.

The band’s principal cornet Michael Evans picked up the Gordon Kitto Memorial Cup as ‘Best Principal Cornet’, with the bass section also adding their own bit of silverware to the mix too.

The other individual awards on what was keenly fought contest went to the trombones of Jayess Newbiggin and euphonium player Adrian McMillan of Backworth Colliery.

Houghton

In Section B it was a close battle between a number of well matched bands, with Houghton Brass under Tom Gibson eventually coming out on top from rivals North Skelton, with NASUWT Concert in third.

Easington Colliery was the sole entrant in Section A, with Houghton Area Youth the only participant in the Youth Section.

Praise

Adjudicator David Lancaster praised the bands for their preparation and acknowledged a mix of older and modern compositions, many bands using the opportunity to try out the test pieces set for the Area contest in March.

The Association’s President and compere for the day, George Bramfitt, was presented with a gift on behalf of the Association, as he celebrated his 80th birthday the day after the contest.

Hugh Stephenson, speaking on behalf of the Association told 4BR: “A great days banding was had by all with entries up on previous years. Hopefully next year we will see an increase in Championship, First Section and Youth Bands.”

The 75th anniversary also saw each competing band presented with an engraved glass trophy to commemorate the occasion4BR

Results:

Section C:
1. Bearpark & Esh (Tim Oldroyd)
2. Jayess Newbiggin (Andrew Griffiths)
3. Backworth Colliery (Colin Harris)
4. Lanchester (Lewis Wilkinson)
5. Craghead Colliery (Jack Dodds)
6. Spennymoor Town (Jean Davison)

Best Principal Cornet: Michael Evans (Bearpark & Esh)
Best Trombone Section: Jayess Newbiggin
Best Bass Section: Bearpark & Esh
Best Euphonium: Adrian McMillan (Backworth Colliery)

Section B:
1. Houghton Brass (Tom Gibson)
2. North Skelton (Denis Noble)
3. NASUWT Concert (Andrew Hunter)
4. Ferryhill Town (Andrew Hall)
5. Marske (Alun Prest)
6. Durham Miners (Stuart Gray)
7. Dunston Silver (Steven Archer)
8. Billingham Silver (Vaughan Evans)

Best Principal Cornet: James Chisholm (Marske Silver)
Best Percussion: NASUWT Concert
Best Middle of Band: North Skelton
Highest Placed Third Section Band: Houghton Brass
Conductor of Winning Band: Tom Gibson
Conductor of Highest Third Section Band: Tom Gibson

Section A:
1. Easington Colliery (Stuart Gray)

Youth Section:
1. Houghton Area Youth (Glenis Smith)