The St.Helens March & Hymn Tune Festival took place at Victoria Square in St.Helens on the weekend.

Wet and windy

At 9.00am when contest controllers Derek Atkinson and Frank Hodges arrived at the Town Hall it was wet and dismal. The Contest was due to start at 11.00am so they decided to wait and make a final decision.

At 10.00am the rain had stopped and the sky was a little brighter so the decision was to go ahead.

The first band marched to the stage in sunlight. The rest of the day was cloudy with sunny spells and the rain that threatened did not arrive.

Victoria Square was full all day and the people of St.Helens showed their appreciation of some fine playingOrganisers

Fine playing

Fourteen bands played a march & hymn of their choice adjudicated by Geoff Whitham and Alan Lawton. Victoria Square was full all day and the people of St.Helens showed their appreciation of some fine playing.

Before the results Batiguard Wire Brass conducted by John Hinckley, played a short concert and had people dancing in the street.

Local favourites Rainford conducted by Neil Samuel marched off with the major prize for Best Overall March & Hymn and £1500.

In his address Councillor Wally Ashcroft paid tribute to all the bands and hoped that the event will be in the St. Helens calendar in future years.

Results: March

1. RAINFORD
2. BACTIGUARD WIRE BRASS
3. BLACKBURN & DARWEN
4. POINT OF AYR
5. OLD HALL
6. GREENALLS
7. VALLEY BRASS
8. PEMBERTON OLD ‘B’
9. SKELMERSDALE
10. PEMBERTON OLD YOUTH
11. DOBCROSS YOUTH
12. FORMBY
13. ECCLES BOROUGH
14. PARR

Results: Hymn

1. RAINFORD
2. BACTIGUARD WIRE BRASS
3. BLACKBURN & DARWEN
4. POINT OF AYR
5. OLD HALL
6. GREENALLS
7. SKELMERSDALE
8. FORMBY
9. PEMBERTON OLD YOUTH
10. PEMBERTON OLD ‘B’
11. DOBCROSS YOUTH
12. PARR
13. ECCLES BOROUGH
14. VALLEY BRASS

Overall Winners: Rainford