There was another fine day of competitive brass band music making at the Denby Pottery Village in Derbyshire for their annual Entertainment Contest.

The sun shone all day, the Prosecco bar and real ale stand did a roaring trade and the bands provided excellent music for adjudicator John Roberts and the appreciative audience to enjoy.

Pottery silverware

In the end it was Butlins First Section champion Eccles Borough led by Mareika Gray who added a lovely bit of bit of pottery 'silverware' to their trophy cabinet as they took the honours ahead of Wigston and Leicester Co-op.

The band opened with 'Scaramouche' before leading into an eclectic set that included 'The Pink Panther', 'Carmen Fantasy' featuring solo euphonium Peter McDonnaugh, 'French Military March', 'The Girl with the Flaxen Hair' and the 'finale' from 'Orpheus in the Underworld' to close.

Section winners

In Section B it was Yorkshire's Third Section national finalist Dronfield Genquip who took the honours under Damien Wileman just ahead of Ilkeston Brass, whilst the wonderfully named Brassington, Middleton & Wirksworth Band from near Matlock took the Village and Community Section first prize.

The event spokesperson told 4BR: "We had another terrific day and our thanks go to John Roberts for adjudicating, Lynden Cooper the excellent compere and to Newstead Brass for again providing the percussion and music stands."

We had another terrific day and our thanks go to John Roberts for adjudicating, Lynden Cooper the excellent compere and to Newstead Brass for again providing the percussion and music standsEvent spokesperson

Results:

Section A:

1. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
2. Wigston Band (Chris Small)
3. Leicester Co-op (Graham Jacklin)

Best Soloist: Brendan Caddy (soprano) — Leicester Co-op

Section B:

1. Dronfield Genguip (Damien Wileman)
2. Ilkeston Brass (Geoff Hawley)

Best Soloist: Alasdair Barton (cornet) — Ilkeston Brass

Village and Community Section:

1. Brassington, Middleton & Wirksworth (Sarah Fellows)
2. Shirland Training Band (Dave Hill)

Best Soloist: Fleur Moakes (cornet) — Shirland Training Band

Prizes:

Most Entertaining Band (all sections): Leicester Co-op
Youngest Player (all sections): Joselyn Trow (aged 7) — Shirland Training Band
Best Compere (all sections): Emma Milner and Aiden Barton (Ilkeston Brass)