The 9th Exmouth Brass Band Festival, promoted by the South West Brass Band Association, was held on Saturday 6th September at the Exmouth Pavilion, with a full house enjoying a feast of music presented by 15 bands from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Staffordshire.
Maximun entry
Adjudicating the Entertainment Contest, Dennis Wilby openly admitted his surprise at the maximum entry of bands, taking into account the high cost of travel and with no prize money being offered.
He congratulated all the bands and their musical directors for excellent and enthusiastic playing together with well thought out programmes of music.
Adjudicating the Entertainment Contest, Dennis Wilby openly admitted his surprise at the maximum entry of bands, taking into account the high cost of travel and with no prize money being offeredorganisers
Bathed in sunshine
Considering the atrocious weather prior to the Festival, it was amazing the Pavilion Gardens were bathed in sunshine during the morning and the fringe Concerts went ahead with the bands playing to an appreciative audience enjoying the few hours of warmth on their backs.
Heavens opened
Unfortunately this joyful scene did not last, as the heavens opened just after lunch and the Concert programme had to be abandoned. However, the exemplary high quality of playing, deportment, presentation and friendliness of the bands must be applauded and is a credit to the brass band movement.
The awards were presented by Councillor Joy Whipps, the Mayor of Exmouth, and Bruce Taylor, Marketing & Public Relations Manager for Miller Countrywide Estate Agents.
Results:
1. Heyl Town (Derek Johnston)
2. Soundhouse Brass (Gary Pumford)
3. Pendennis Brass Falmouth (Steve Thomas)
4. St Breward Silver (Garry Lannie)
5. Lympstone South West Telecom (Charlie Fleming)
6. Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne) (Paul Slator)
7. Tiverton Town (Gil Taylor)
8. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
9. South Molton Town (Adrian Edwards)
10. Uttoxeter Town Brass (Matt Pope)
11. Camelford Town (Ann Brown)
12. Bideford Town (Gary Taylor)
13. Torrington Silver (Terry Hutchings)
14. Brixham Town (Mike Stevenson)
15. Appledore Silver (John Croker)
Other awards
Exmouth Brass Band Festival Band 2008 — Heyl Town
Best Entertaining Band — Heyl Town
Best Soloist — Fran Bowman, Flugel Horn, Lympstone South West Telecom
Best Percussion Section — Pendennis Brass Falmouth
Best Trombone Section — Soundhouse Brass
