Northop Silver Band led the prize winners at the annual North Wales BBA contest at Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin on the weekend.

Their performances of the march 'The Cossack' and their own-choice test-piece 'Titan's Progress' saw them claim a clear victory over local challengers Seindorf Arian Deiniolen with Seindorf Beaumaris in third.

Hat-trick

Victory sealed a hat-trick of wins at the event — all under the direction of John Doyle, whilst it also saw the band's long serving euphonium Aled Williams take the 'Best Soloist' prize and flugel Carol Hughes claim the 'Best Flugel' award.

Speaking to 4BR, conductor John Doyle said that the result rounded off a great 2019 season in fine style.

"2019 has been a year to remember for the band — topped of course by winning the Senior Cup and our qualification for the National Finals and being just one of two bands to beat the incredible Cory Band all year.

This contest was the opportunity to show that progress to our local supporters and I think we did that and more.

My thanks go to my players and everyone associated with Northop Band for a great year and with the promise of even better things to come — and that includes the imminent arrival of a new baby in the Doyle household in January"

Mass success for Beaumaris

In the other sections nearly 150 different players led by four conductors in five bands across six Sections brought home a total of 14 trophies for the Seindorf Beaumaris Band organisation.

It was an early start for the youngest members of Beaumaris as the Junior Band and Intermediate Band competed in Section 6B.

Seindorf Beaumaris President, Fred Evans told 4BR: "We are extremely proud of our youth sections and it's a source of immense pride to see our musicians graduate through the junior system before taking their seats in the Senior Band."

A youthful Seindorf Beaumaris also took to the stage to defend their Fourth Section title with 16 of those on stage having already played for the Youth Band, including principal cornet Erin Maloney, who won the 'Best Soloist' award in both the Fourth and Youth Sections.

Social band

For the very first time the Beaumaris Social Band competed in Section Five for unregistered bands. It was a great day for the wonderfully named 'Last of the Summer Wind' as they followed in the footsteps of the Intermediate Band, Youth Band and Senior Band in winning their Section.

The day ended with Beaumaris also securing third prize in the Rally's Open Section, beating two higher section bands in the process, and with two members of the Junior Band winning the prize for being the Rally's youngest players. Six year old twins, Morgan and Celt, were awarded the Dr Gwilym Roberts Memorial Cup.

My thanks go to my players and everyone associated with Northop Band for a great year and with the promise of even better things to come — and that includes the imminent arrival of a new baby in the Doyle household in JanuaryJohn Doyle

Results:

Open Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Northop Silver (John Doyle)
2. Seindorf Arian Deiniolen (Lois Eifion Jones)
3. Seindorf Beaumaris (Scott Lloyd)
4. Royal Buckley Town (Keith Jones)
5. Ifton Colliery (Scott Lloyd)

Best Soloist: Aled Williams
Best flugel: Carol Hughes

Fourth Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Seindorf Beaumaris (Scott Lloyd)
2. Menai Bridge Porthaethwy (Gavin Saynor)
3. Seindorf Arian yr Oakeley (Paul Wilson)
4. Northop Brass (Aled Williams)
5. Llandudno Town Band (Andrew Jones)
6. Dyffryn Nantlle Band (Gwenllian Jones)

Best Soloist: Erin Maloney

Fifth Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Seindorf LSW Beaumaris (Fred Evans)
2. Menai Bridge Training Band (Sue Hughes)

Best Soloist: Erin Maloney

Youth Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Seindorf Ieuenctid Beaumaris (Hefin Evans)

Youth Section 6B:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Seindorf Canolradd Beaumaris (Kate Gwilliam)
2. Seindorf Iau Beaumaris (Fred Evans)
3. Seindorf Ieuenctid Oakeley (Aled Williams)