The Camborne Band won the 91st West of England Bandsman's Festival title in the Cornish village of Bugle on the weekend.

Under the baton of John Berryman they produced a fine rendition of the set work, 'The Wayfarer' by Eric Ball to retain the famous Royal Trophy and take the £1,000 first prize — their fifth win in the last seven years and the 38th time in the competition's history.

Cornish battle

Once again there was plenty of fine music making to enjoy with crowds lining the streets for the traditional march to and from the Molinnis Park venue, whilst this year's event attracted competitors from as far afield as Switzerland, with the welcome appearance of Regional Brass Band Bern.

In a closely fought Cornish battle for the title, the Albert Hall finalists managed to catch the ear of adjudicator Derek Broadbent to claim a single point victory over St Dennis, with St Austell in third. The band also took the honours in the Hymn tune category with a warmly shaped rendition of 'Crimond'.

There was also plenty of excellent individual playing on show with well deserved awards taken by Mark Harrison, Demelza Sturges, Francesca Bazeley and Kim Bazeley, with Camborne Town taking the 'Best Basses' prize.

Roche defence

There was another successful title defence in the First Section as the rapidly rising Regional Champion Roche Brass took the honours directed by David Hirst. Fellow Cheltenham finalists Yeovil Town was second with Helston Town in third.

Roche's performances of 'Fantasy for Brass Band' and the march 'Centaur' saw them claim both category honours with solo euphonium Robert Jose also taking the 'Best Soloist' prize.

Bodmin hat trick

In the Second Section Bodmin secured a hat-trick of Bugle victories. Under the direction of John Maines they enjoyed commanding margins of victory over rivals Bugle Silver in both the test piece and march categories. Principal cornet Miriam Moore claimed the 'Best Soloist' prize.

Camborne double

There was also a hat-trick of victories to enjoy for the talented young players of Camborne Junior Contesting, as they emulated their senior counterparts with a clear cut victory in the Third Section over second placed Tadley Concert Brass with Jubilee Brass (Oxford) in third.

Under Alan Pope's direction the Third Section national finalists produced a fine rendition of 'Saint Saens Variations' with their talented soprano player Matthew Opie taking the 'Best Soloist' award.

Devon fantasy for Okehampton

There were plenty of celebrations to enjoy for Okehampton Excelsior Silver, as the band from the northern edge of Dartmoor in Devon claimed their first Bugle title under the direction of Richard Beardon.

The band has won a number of deportment and march prizes at the contest in recent years (winning the Deportment award once more), but this was the first time they claimed the Fourth Section honours with victory over rivals, Tadley Concert with Redruth in third, thanks to a fine performance of the appropriately titled, 'Devon Fantasy' by Eric Ball.

Excellent Youth

The excellence of community based young player development in the county was heard to fine effect in the Youth Section, where St Austell took the honours ahead of Mount Charles and St Dennis, with rising stars in William Lucas and Hannah Plum ridge taking well deserved individual honours.

Meanwhile in the Training Section, the excellent Soundhouse Brass led the way from Lostwithiel and Saltash Junior.

The A.R. Trudgian Youth Awards were presented to Megan Thomas of Bugle Silver and Matthew Brown of Camborne.

Camborne retained the famous Royal Trophy and took the £1,000 first prize — their fifth win in the last seven years and the 38th time in the competition's history4BR

Results::

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent
Test Piece: The Wayfarer

1. Camborne Town (John Berryman) — 190
2. St. Dennis — 189
3. St. Austell — 186

Other competing bands:
Lanner & District; Mount Charles; Regional Brass Band Bern

Hymn Tune:
Crimond

1. Camborne Town — 48
2. Regional Brass Band Bern — 46
3. St. Austell — 45

Best Soloist: Francesca Bazeley (horn) — St Dennis

First Section:
Test Piece: Fantasy for Brass Band

1. Roche Brass (David Hirst) — 184
2. Yeovil Town — 182
3. Helston Town — 180

March:
Centaur

1. Roche Brass — 86
2. Helston Town — 84
3. Forest of Dean Brass — 83

Best Soloist: Robert Jose (euphonium) — Roche Brass

Second Section:
Test Piece: Oceans

1. Bodmin Town (John Maines) — 186
2. Bugle Silver — 181

March
Cross of Honour

1. Bodmin Town — 83
2. Bugle Silver — 80

Best Soloist: Miriam Moore (cornet) — Bodmin Town

Third Section:
Test Piece: Saint Saens Variations

1. Camborne Junior Contesting (Alan Pope) — 181
2. Tadley Concert Brass (Paul Chapman) — 179
3. Jubilee Brass (Oxford) (Cliff Sadler) — 177

Best Player: Matthew Opie (soprano) — Camborne Junior Contesting

Fourth Section:
Test Piece: Devon Fantasy

1. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Richard Beardon) — 180
2. Tadley Concert Brass — 179
3. Redruth Town — 178

Best Player: Megan Hope (cornet) — Tadley Concert Brass

Other competing bands:
Lanner Brass Academy, Newquay, Saltash Town, St Agnes Town Silver, Tiverton Town

Youth Section:

1. St. Austell — 182
2. Mount Charles — 181
3. St. Dennis — 174

Best Player: William Lucas (flugel) — St Austell
Best Cornet Player: Hannah Plumridge (cornet) — Mount Charles

Training Section:

1. Soundhouse Brass — 73
2. Lostwithiel — 71
3. Saltash Junior — 70

Best Player: Soprano cornet (Saltash Junior)
Best Cornet Player: Principal cornet (Soundhouse Brass)

Individual Awards:
Best Soprano: Mark Harrison (Mount Charles)
Best Cornet: Demelza Sturges (Camborne Town)
Best Solo Horn: Francesca Bazeley (St Dennis)
Best Euphonium: Kim Bazeley (St Dennis)
Best Set of Basses: Camborne Town

Deportment:
1. Okehampton Excelsior Silver
2. Shrewton Silver

A.R.Trudgian Youth Awards:
Megan Thomas (Bugle Silver)
Matthew Brown (Camborne)