A total of 15 bands will take part in the 97th West of England Bandsmen's Festival to be held at Molinnis Park, Bugle on Saturday 17th June.

First held in 1912, the event sees bands march through the village to the contest venue where they perform in their bid to win some of the magnificent prize silverware.

Defending champion

Fresh from gaining promotion to the Grand Shield at last weekend's British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool, defending champion St Dennis will look to retain the famous Royal Trophy presented to the Festival in 1913 by Edward Prince of Wales.

Bodmin Town, returning to Bugle for the first time since winning the First Section in 2018 will be their opposition in a head-to-head performing 'The Essence of Time' by Peter Graham, as well as 'Prelude on Lavenham' by Geoffrey Nobes. The work is dedicated to the memory of the late David Jane, the festival treasurer untimely passing in September last year.

Debutants

Forest of Dean Brass head the First Section entries up against debutants Regent Brass and Lanner and District Silver who return to the contest for the first time since 2015. The set-work is Joseph Horovitz's wonderful 'Ballet for Band', alongside William Rimmer's march, 'Black Knight'.

Unfortunately Mount Charles is the sole entrant in the Second Section and will play the march 'Gruss an Thuringen' (Herman Louis Blankenburg) and Goff Richards' colourful 'Hollywood!'.

There will be own-choice works on show in the Third and the Fourth Sections.

Indian Queens will seek to retain their title in the Third Section where they will face stiff opposition from Bideford Town (returning to Bugle for the first time since 1983), Pendennis Brass and Verwood Town. Indian Queens have also entered the Fourth Section and will face opposition from the local favourites Bugle Silver, as well as Illogan Sparnon and Lostwithiel Town.

Youth Sections

Own-choice works will also be played in the Youth Section where St Austell and St Dennis under Anna Minear and Darren Hawken respectively will perform.

To celebrate the recent Coronation of King Charles III the contest committee have decided to replicate presentations made at the contest in 1953 when the conductor of each band was given a special commemorative plaque to mark the Coronation of Elizabeth II.

The morning march is due to start at 10.30am, with the contest itself starting at Molinnis Park at 11.30am. Steve Sykes will be adjudicating at Bugle for the first time with the Deportment judge, Jonathan Lush-Camps.

Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Steve Sykes (all sections)
Bodmin Town
St Dennis

First Section:

Forest of Dean
Lanner & District Silver
Regent Brass

Second Section:

Mount Charles

Third Section:

Bideford Town
Indian Queens
Pendennis Brass
Verwood Town

Fourth Section:

Bugle Silver
Illogan Sparnon
Indian Queens
Lostwithiel Town

Youth Section:

St Austell
St Dennis