*
banner

Report & Results: 2015 SWBBA Torquay

Aldbourne reclaim SWBBA title with dance and a cry of alleluia with section awards to St Stythians, Pendeen Silver and Soundhouse Brass Juniors.

Aldbourne
 

The 69th annual South West Brass Band Association Championship was held at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay on the weekend.

Dances & Alleluias

24 bands competed in four sections, with Aldbourne, conducted by Josh Ruck, taking the Open Section Championship title with a well delivered rendition of 'Dances & Alleluias' to gain the partnership's first victory together as they reclaimed the trophy they last won in 2013.

It proved good enough to head off the competitive challenge of a delighted First Section Verwood Concert Brass, who played 'Dances & Arias', with their principal cornet Elaine Close taking the 'Best Cornet player' award.

Although Verwood will be promoted to the top flight in 2016 it was a result that showed their ambition as they in turn beat a number of Championship rivals led by third placed St Dennis performing 'Elgar Variations'.

Dark Side wins for St Stythians

In the Third Section, victory went to St Stythians under James Burns with their well structured account of Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'Dark Side of the Moon'. It gave the band their first SWBBA title since 2007, as they finished ahead of rivals Bratton Silver (who won the 'Best Horn Section' prize) and South Molton Town.

Pendeen victory

There was also a long overdue victory for Pendeen Silver conducted by Daren Jenkin to savour in the Fourth Section after they returned to the winner's enclosure at the contest for the first time since 2012.

Not only did they beat off the strong challenge of podium finishers Hatherleigh Silver and Tiverton Town with their solid rendition of 'English Folk Song Suite', but their tuba section also walked off with the 'Best Basses ' prize.

Cracking playing

Although there were only two bands in the Training Band Section there was plenty of cracking playing to enjoy for the judges, as Soundhouse Brass Juniors led by Gary Thompson just pipped Saltash Training conducted by Chris Spreadbury.

Once again Torquay proved to be a popular venue, with a good sized audience once again enjoying the competitive, friendly atmosphere.

Excellent day

The welcome visiting adjudicators, Jappie Dijkstra and Jan Van der Roost were also delighted at what they had heard, with Jappie telling 4BR: "We enjoyed an excellent day of quality music making, and the performances in all sections of overall high standard. It was a very well organised event at an excellent venue."

He added: "Although it would have been good to hear more young bands, we are confident that the future of brass banding in the South West is secure with such excellent playing, particularly from the youngsters on show."

The trophies were presented by the Association's President, Sue Richards, and the Chairman of Cornwall BBA, Trevor Bedding.

Although it would have been good to hear more young bands, we are confident that the future of brass banding in the South West is secure with such excellent playing, particularly from the youngsters on showJappie Dijkstra

Open Section:
Adjudicators: Jappie Dijkstra & Jan Van der Roost

1. Aldbourne (Josh Ruck)
2. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
3. St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
4. Lydbrook (Glyn Williams)
5. South West Communication (David Shead)
6. Helston Town (David Johnson)
7. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
8. Chalford (Steve Tubb)
9. Lanner & District Silver (Stuart Chappell)

Highest Placed First Section Band: Verwood Concert Brass
Highest Placed Second Section Band: Sidmouth Town
Best Cornet Player: Elaine Close (Verwood Concert Brass)


Third Section:

1. St Stythians (James Burns)
2. Bratton Silver (Simon Carr)
3. South Molton Town (Gil Taylor)
4. Pendeen Silver (Darren Jenkin)
5. Heyl Town (Shaun Marsden)

Best Horn Section: Bratton Silver

Fourth Section:

1. Pendeen Silver (Darren Jenkin)
2. Hatherleigh Silver (Matt Green)
3. Tiverton Town (Andrew Harris)
4. Saltash Town (Chris Spreadbury)
5. Bideford Town (Mark Durham)
6. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Richard Beardon)
7. Chard Concert Brass (Michael Hurley)

Best Set of Basses: Pendeen Silver

Training Band Section:

1. Soundhouse Brass Juniors (Gary Thompson)
2. Saltash Training (Chris Spreadbury)

Best Instrumentalist: (flugel) — Soundhouse Juniors

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


nybbgb

Celebration theme for National Youth Band concert in London

July 9 • The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain will be in musical celebration mode for their Summer Concert in London next month.


ai rOBOT

Artists combine with AI to win composition prize

July 9 • AI technology fuses with the 'human essence' to create award winning compositions in global competition.


pRESTOCDS

Presto Music Collection: Six more classic CDs

July 8 • You can continue to build your classic brass collection of CDs with 4BR's partnership with Presto Music.


Youth Fest

Brass sounds fill the air at Youth Fest in Barnet

July 8 • BBE's 'Brass Fest' event saw over 200 young players provide fantastic entertainment and great music making in Barnet.


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Ilkeston Brass

July 11 • We are looking for additional cornet players to join us – positions negotiable! Ilkeston Brass is a friendly 4th section band with a long history based in the SE of Derbyshire.


Olney Brass

July 11 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented player to fill the following vacancy, in order to strengthen their line up: Eb BASS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Olney Brass

July 10 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking talented players to fill the following vacancies, in order to strengthen their line up: SOLO CORNETS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Duncan A. Beckley

BA, MA
Conductor, adjudicator, band trainer and teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd