Buxton was bathed in brilliant sunshine on the weekend as a fine turn out of bands enjoyed themselves in the new surroundings of the spacious marquee.

The newly erected contest platform proved to be a winner with competitors, adjudicators and the volunteers of the North West Brass Bands Association alike, with judges Derek Broadbent and Sarah Groarke-Booth also commenting on the high standard of its acoustics.

Lofthouse Fogg

There was also plenty of excellent playing on show, with the recent Area test-piece 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg' a popular choice in the Fourth Section, with four out of the five bands performing Peter Graham's travelogue work.

In the end adjudicator Sarah Groarke-Booth awarded Lofthouse 2000 directed by Alan Whitaker (above) the honours ahead of Sale Brass, who was the one band to choose 'A Malvern Suite' and Blackley. Sale's tuba team took the 'Best Section' award.

Sarah commented that the winners had 'played very well, and got the styles just right'.

Ifton Good

Ifton Colliery conducted by Scott Lloyd won the keenly contested Third Section. Their fine performance of Philip Sparke's 'The Saga of Haakon the Good' was aided by their euphonium team also taking the 'Best Section' prize. Solid performances from Hawk Green (Marple) with 'The Dark Side of the Moon' and Farnworth & Walkden on 'Essay' took the podium places.

Besses are Kings

Besses Boys directed by James Holt were worthy winners in the Second Section, with a stirring performance of Philip Harper's 'Kingdom of the Dragons' aided by their formidable 'Best Section' cornet team. Durham Miners with 'The Saga of Haakon the Good' and Delph with 'Purcell Variations' took the podium spots.

Bollington comedy top

In the joint Championship/First Section Bollington conducted by Peter Christian made a successful defence of their title playing John Ireland's classic 'Comedy'.

They finished ahead of a strong 'James Cook' performance from Hatfield aided by a superb 'Best Soloist' contribution from Greg Timmins on solo cornet. Harrogate was third with a welcome reprise for Thomas Wilson's 'Sinfonietta'.

The newly erected contest platform proved to be a winner with competitors, adjudicators and the volunteers of the North West Brass Bands Association alike4BR

Results

Championship/First Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

1. Bollington Brass (Peter Christian)
2. Hatfield (Stan Lippeat)
3. Harrogate (David Lancaster)
4. Lindley Band (Ian Knapton)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

1. Besses Boys (James Holt)
2. Durham Miners (Stuart Gray)
3. Delph (Jonathan Davies)
4. Old Hall Brass (John North)

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Sarah Groarke-Booth

1. Ifton Colliery (Scott Lloyd)
2. Hawk Green (Marple) (Neil Hewson)
3. Farnworth & Walkden (Matt Shaw)
4. Besses o' th' Barn (Simon Cowan)
5. Greenall's (Philip Boardman)
6. Matlock (Geoff Hawley)
7. Coppull & Standish (Matt Stringer)
8. Oughtibridge (Gavin Somerset)

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Sarah Groarke-Booth

1. Lofthouse 2000 (Alan Whitaker)
2. Sale Brass (Alan Seymour)
3. Blackley (John Atkinson)
4. Stockport Silver (Ian Colwell)
5. Newark Town (Rupert Trippett)