Eccles Borough became the first band to win both the Championship and First Section titles in the 26 year history of the Wychavon Festival of Brass in Evesham on the weekend.

Double

The unique 'Double' saw MD Mareika Gray lead the Greater Manchester band to a first top flight victory since 1962 to go alongside a bumper prize package worth £2150, whilst they also claimed an invitation to compete at the Senior Trophy contest at the British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool next year.

The band is now just three potential steps away from returning to the British Open — a contest they won way back on 1930.

"I can't quite believe it,"Mareika told 4BR. "We have enjoyed a great record at this contest in other sections over the past few years, but to win both the top sections in one day is incredible.

I'm very proud of everyone associated with the band. One of my aims in taking over at Eccles in 2010 was to get to the Spring Festival, and now we have done it. It's a great finish to year that has had a few ups and downs — but now we can look forward to 2017 on such a high."

Worked hard

Eccles certainly worked hard for their latest place in the record books, with the first performance of their 20 minute set given in the First Section at 1.30pm and reprised for the Championship event a few hours later.

They opened with the choreographed Buddy Rich number, 'Swinging that Bugle Call' that segued straight into the Sousa march 'Semper Fidelis'. Baritone soloist Adam Snape was featured on Freddie Mercury's 'Love of My Life' before the second movement of Malcolm Arnold's 'Four Scottish Dances' led into 'Upon the Celtic Cross' by Jonathan Bates to close.

It proved to be a clear two-point winner in the First Section over confident Welsh rivals City of Cardiff (Melingriffth) conducted by Dewi Griffiths and BTM led by Jeff Hutcherson. Fran Wilson of City of Cardiff won the 'Best Soloist' award for her excellent euphonium rendition of 'Ar Lan y Mor', with Aveley & Newham taking the 'Best Percussion' accolade.

Welcome Scottish visitors Johnstone ended fourth and took the 'Best Entertainment' award, with Langley and (AW Parker) Drybrook filling the remaining top-six places.

Championship success

After a chance for quick cup of tea and rest, a few hours later Eccles reprised their performance in the Championship Section — and once again it proved a winner as adjudicator Dave Lea awarded them a single point margin of victory over Filton Concert Brass with Medway in third.

He later stated that 'there was no doubt' in his mind about the winners, who he called 'exceptional in every department'.

Filton, led by Belgian euphonium star Glenn van Looy had earlier provided a fine marker off the number 1 draw for the rest of the 16 band field to beat. Meanwhile, MD Melvin White used all his experience to lead a delighted Medway to their best result at the event in third, with horn player Tim De Maesenner taking the 'Best Soloist' award for his outstanding performance of 'This Wicked Struggle'.

The remaining top-six places in a highly enjoyable contest went to DUT Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel, Sandhurst Silver (who claimed the 'Best Entertainment' award) and the hard working City of Cardiff (Melingriffith). Verwood Concert Brass won the 'Best Percussion' trophy.

Weston win

Although there was no Second Section contest, eight well-matched bands provided plenty of entertainment in the Third Section, where Weston Brass conducted by Bryn James eventually secured a clear two-point winning margin over rivals Cinderford with Stourport on Severn in Third.

Their first ever Wychavon victory saw the band from Weston Super Mare claim the £500 first prize with a set that opened with 'Shield of Liberty', followed by 'What are you doing?' featuring 'Best Soloist' award winner Rob Perham on flugel horn, 'Cute', 'Irish Blessing' and 'You Have Been Warned' to close.

Adjudicator Ceri Thomas was certainly impressed and wrote at the end of his remarks: "I rarely clap a band when at my desk, but you got it this time. Well done. Super show."

Weston also claimed the 'Best Entertainment' prize and 'Best Percussion' trophy to give them a comprehensive 'clean sweep'. The remaining top-six places went to Abertillery Town, Waterbeach Brass and Oxford Cherwell.

Ynyshir first

There was also a first taste of victory for Welsh visitors Ynyshir in the Fourth Section as under the baton of Gary Davies they recorded their first contest success since 2009.

The Rhondda valley band also did it in fine style too, taking the 'Best Percussion' accolade as they beat off the strong challenge from rivals Rode Hall Silver and Nailsworth Silver to claim the £400 first prize.

Flugel player Debbie McDougall from Nailsworth Silver won the 'Best Soloist' prize as part of the band's set that also took the 'Best Entertainment' prize, with the 'Youngest Player' award going to 9 year old Felicity Angel for Bilton Silver Training.

Excellent organisation

Once again the excellent organisation of the event made for a warm and friendly competitive atmosphere at the De Montfort School in Evesham, led by Val Trim and her team of hard working volunteers.

High class catering facilities, supportive sponsors and generous prizes and awards also added greatly to the day, topped by history being made as Eccles Borough made their way back to Greater Manchester weighed down by silverware but boosted by the enjoyable after effects of well deserved celebrations.

I can't quite believe it. We have enjoyed a great record at this contest in other sections over the past few years, but to win both the top sections in one day is incredibleMareika Gray

Results:

Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Dave Lea

1. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray) — 189
2. Filton Concert Brass (Glenn van Looy) — 188
3. Medway (Melvin White) — 187
4. DUT Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (David Hamilton) — 186
5. Sandhurst (Andrew Porter) — 185
6. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Dewi Griffiths) — 183
7. Yeovil Town (Jon Griffin) — 182
8. Johnstone Band (Martyn Ramsay) — 181
9. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith) — 180
10. BTM (Jeff Hutcherson) — 179
11. SPAL Sovereign Brass (Trevor Jones) — 178
12. Foresters Brass (John Davis) — 177
13. Langley (Cliff Parker) — 176
14. Bilton Silver (Rugby) — 175
15. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 174
16. Alder Valley Brass (Roger Burke) — 173

Evesham Town Plate to Winning Conductor: Mareika Gray
WFB Entertainment Trophy: Sandhurst Silver
WFB Best Soloist Trophy: Tim De Maesenne (horn) Medway
Centre Stage Percussion Trophy: Verwood Concert Brass

First Section:

Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley

1. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray) — 180
2. City of Cardiff (Melingriffth) (Dewi Griffiths) — 178
3. BTM (Jeff Hutcherson) — 176
4. Johnstone Band (Martyn Ramsay) — 172
5. Langley (Cliff Parker) — 171
6. (A.W. Parker) Drybrook (Josh Ruck) — 170
7. Aveley & Newham (Alan Duguid) — 169
8. Bedworth (David Maplestone) — 168
9. Foresters Brass (John Davis) — 167
10. Lewis Merthyr (Craig Roberts) — 166
11. Ocean Brass (Martyn Humphries) — 165

WFB Plate to Winning Conductor: Mareika Gray
WFB Entertainment Trophy: Johnstone Silver
WFB Soloist Trophy: Fran Wilson (euphonium) City of Cardiff (Melingriffith)
Centre Stage Percussion Trophy: Aveley & Newham

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Ceri Thomas

1. Weston Brass (Bryn James) — 189
2. Cinderford (Chris Howley) — 187
3. Stourport-on-Severn (Oliver Wilson) — 186
4. Abertillery Town (Josh Ruck) — 185
5. Waterbeach Brass (Andrew Kershaw) — 184
6. Oxford Cherwell (Terry Brotherhood) — 183
7. Wellington (Telford) (Mark Parry) — 181
8. Shipston-on-Stour Town (Howard Gibbs) — 180

WBF Plate to Winning Conductor: Bryn James
WFB Entertainment Trophy: Weston Brass
WFB Soloist Trophy: Rob Perham (flugel) Weston Brass
Centre Stage Percussion Trophy: Weston Brass

Fourth Section

Adjudicator: Sarah Groarke Booth

1. Ynyshir Brass (Gary Davies) — 193
2. Rode Hall Silver (Nigel Butler) — 192
3. Nailsworth Silver (Ross Salvage) — 190
4. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn) — 189
5. City of Wolverhampton (George Draycott) — 188
6. Bilton Silver (Rugby) Training (Jack Fisher) — 187

WFB Plate to Winning Conductor: Gary Davies
WFB Entertainment Trophy: Nailsworth Silver
WFB Soloist Trophy: Debbie McDougall (flugel) Nailsworth Silver
Centre Stage Percussion Trophy: Ynyshir Brass