Bathgate Band claimed their first ever Fife Charities Band Association contest victory at the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy on the weekend.

Their atmospheric rendition of Peter Graham's 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' under MD Craig Anderson saw them claim the main test-piece honours. They also came second for their march rendition of 'The Australasian' and fourth for their hymn tune of 'Lord of all Hopefulness'. All disciplines were judged separately.

Bathgate also picked up the accolades as 'Best non-FCBA Band' and 'Best First Section Band', whilst players claimed individual awards for 'Best Horn', 'Best Basses' and 'Best Percussion'.

Spring Festival

Victory means the band will gain an invitation to compete in the Senior Trophy at the 2027 British Open Spring Festival in Birmingham.

Reflecting on their victory on their Facebook page the band stated: "We were absolutely delighted to have come away with a 1st place overall — and even more thrilled to be awarded the Winning Conductor prize for our hard-working MD, Craig Anderson and an invitation to the 2027 Senior Trophy next May.

A huge well done to all our players for the hard work and commitment that went into preparing for yesterday, and a massive thank you to everyone who supports us, both on and off the contest stage. Also, a huge thank you for a very well-run contest by FCBA."

Podium finishers

Test-piece runner-up was Bo'ness & Carriden Band (Paul McKelvie) as they played Robert Farnon's 'Un Vie de Matelot' as well as 'The Contestor' and 'In Perfect Peace'.

The final test-piece podium place went to Coalburn Silver who played 'The World Rejoicing' by Edward Gregson alongside 'Mephistopheles', and 'God and God Alone', arranged by band member Dale Simmons which topped the hymn tune element.

Fourth placed Unite Scotland topped the march discipline with their account of 'O.R.B.' ahead of former multiple champion Kingdom Brass with Lochgelly in sixth.

Before the announcement of the results, the audience was entertained by members of Cupar Bandits, Kingdom Brass Youth and Dysart Community Brass.

Test piece:

Adjudicator: Christopher Bond

1. Bathgate (Craig Anderson): 190
2. Bo'ness & Carriden (Paul McKelvie): 189
3. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman): 188
4. Unite Scotland Kinneil (Paul Drury): 187
5. Kingdom Brass (Calum Tonner): 186
6. Lochgelly (Andrew Duncan): 185
7. Newtongrange Silver (Anne Crookston): 184
8. Granite City Brass (Raymond Tennant): 183
9. Clackmannan & District (Paul Drury): 182
10. Dysart Colliery Silver (Robert Fraser): 181
11. Broxburn & Livingston (Caroline Farren): 180
12. Whitburn Heartlands (Andrew Sahaw): 179
13. Shotts St Patrick's (Charlie Farren): 178
14. Tullis Russell Mills (John Harris): 177
15. Turriff Silver (Matthew Bailey): 176

March/Hymn:

All points awarded separately
Adjudicator: Christopher Bond

1. Unite Scotland Kinneil: 192/185
2. Bathgate: 191/187
3. Lochgelly: 189/188
4. Coalburn: 188/190
5. Bo'ness & Carriden: 187/189
6. Kingdom Brass: 186/186
7. Clackmannan & District: 185/182
8. Granite City Brass: 184/183
9. Newtongrange Silver: 182/184
10. Broxburn & Livingston: 181/178
11. Shotts St Patrick's: 180/180
12. Dysart Colliery Silver: 179/181
13. Whitburn Heartlands: 178/176
14. Turriff Silver: 177/177
15. Tullis Russell Mills: 176/179

Awards:

Winning Conductor: Craig Anderson (Bathgate)

Best Cornet: Dhani Miller (Unite Scotland Kinneil)
Best Horn: Louise McCauley (horn) and Lauren Downs (flugel) — Bathgate
Best Trombone: Alex Philip (Kingdom Brass)
Best Baritone: Mark Sellers (Lochgelly)
Best Euphonium: David McLean (Bo'ness & Carriden)
Best Tuba: Ross Mercer (Coalburn Silver)
Best Basses: Bathgate
Best Percussion: Bathgate

Best First Section Band: Bathgate
Best Second Section Band: Clackmannan District
Best Fourth Section Band: Dysart Colliery Silver

Best Fife A Band: Kingdom Brass
Best Fife B Band: Dysart Colliery Silver
Best non-FCBA band: Bathgate
Unsung Hero award: Duncan Stewart (percussionist — Turriff Silver)