The inaugural Beamish March & Hymn Tune contest was held on the weekend at the award-winning Beamish Open Air Museum in County Durham.
Dunston Silver carried on the good 2016 form which has already seen them claim the North of England Second Section title by taking the Section A contest honours ahead of a strong challenge from Durham Miners Association.
In the Section B contest, there was a first victory for Tom Maddison directing Murton Colliery as they claimed a comprehensive victory over their rivals.
Great afternoon
Speaking on behalf of the Durham County Brass Band Association, Hugh Stephenson told 4BR: "We are over the moon how the contest went: The sun shone and over 1,200 performers and brass band lovers enjoyed a great afternoon of banding.
The date for next year's contest will be announced soon, and we would love to see a few more bands enter. We would like to thank Leigh Baker who stood in at very short notice for Alan Morrison, whose father was ill."
Wonderful
In his summing up of the contest, Leigh told the attentive crowd: "I've thoroughly enjoyed the playing today and what a wonderful setting for a contest!"
He added, "I do feel, however, that a few bands chose to play marches that were a little too challenging for them although we have heard some lovely well played hymn tune arrangements."
We are over the moon how the contest went: The sun shone and over 1,200 performers and brass band lovers enjoyed a great afternoon of bandingHugh Stephenson
Results:
Section A:
1. Dunston Silver (Aidan Hodgson) — 88
2. Durham Miners Association (Dave Nesbitt) — 87
3. Cockerton Silver (Mike Hardman) — 80
Best March: Dunston Silver
Best Hymn: Durham Miners Association
Section B:
1. Murton Colliery (Tom Maddison) — 88
2. Ferryhill Town (Andrew Hall) — 84
3. Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Peter Elcoat) — 83
4. Backworth Colliery (Colin Harris) — 81
5. Lanchester (Steve Robson) — 80
Best Fourth Section Band: Lanchester
Best Hymn: Murton Colliery
Best March: Murton Colliery
Youth Section:
1. Houghton Area Youth (Glenis Smith) — 85
