The 20th Brighouse Festival of Brass, organised by Brighouse & District Lions, featured no less than 24 bands battling it out for the prizes in a keenly contested March & Hymn Tune event on the weekend.

Outstanding

There was plenty of outstanding playing on show in the Town Hall Square — headed by the renowned specialists in the genre, Hepworth, whose performances of 'The Wizard' and hymn tune arrangement of 'Abide with Me' under Mark Bentham took the honours by a clear five-point margin from runner-up Skelmanthorpe and third placed Elland Silver.

It was the band's first victory at the event since 2005 and the sixth time they have won it since 2001 as they topped both disciplines as well as taking a host of individual and section accolades.

Section prizes

Section prizes went to Blackburn & Darwen, Meltham & Meltham Mills, Uppermill and Skelmersdale, whilst Elland Silver Youth successfully defended its title and went on to provide a wonderful Gala Concert in the evening conducted by Samantha Harrison in the local St Martin's Parish Church.

It was the band's first victory at the event since 2005 and the sixth time they have won it since 2001 as they topped both disciplines as well as taking a host of individual and section accolades4BR

Result:

Adjudicators: Dennis Wilby, Brian Rostron
March+Hymn = Total

1. Hepworth (Mark Bentham): 99/95= 194
2. Skelmanthorpe (Martin Heartfield): 97/92= 189*
3. Elland Silver (Daniel Brooks): 96/93= 189
4. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas): 95/94= 189
5. Hammonds Band (Morgan Griffiths): 98/87= 185
6. Uppermill (Dean Redfern): 89/91= 180
7. Wardle Anderson Brass (Sean Conway): 94/85= 179
8. Lindley Band (Michael Golding): 90/86= 176*
9. Meltham & Meltham Mills (Tom Haslam): 87/89= 176
10. Hebden Bridge (David Hamilton): 92/83= 175
11. Diggle (Alan Widdop): 93/81= 174
12. Ferryhill Town (Gareth Sykes): 88/82= 170*
13. Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison): 86/84= 170
14. Hade Edge (Jonathan Beatty): 80/90= 170
15. Marsden Silver (Andrew Lofthouse): 88/80= 168
16. Skelmersdale Prize (Ben Coulson): 79/88= 167
17. Prospect Brass Skelmanthorpe (Duncan Beckley): 91/73= 164
18. Drighlington Band (Neil Robinson): 82/78= 160
19. Farnworth & Walkden (Ian Pallister): 85/72= 157
20. Slaithwaite (Ryan Watkins): 79/77= 156
21. Huddersfield & Ripponden (Adam Bell): 80/75= 155
22. Bradford Youth Band (Morgan Griffiths): 68/71= 139
23. Wardle Junior Blast (Lee Rigg): 67/68= 135
24. Gawthorpe Brass '85 (John Edward): 65/65= 130

Best March: Hepworth
Best Hymn: Hepworth

Principal Cornet: Hepworth
Best Euphonium: Hepworth
Best Soprano: Skelmanthorpe
Best Trombone Section: Hepworth
Best Soloist: Hepworth — Cornet
Best Basses: Hammonds

Best Road March: Hammonds
Best Trombones on the Road March: Hepworth
Best Deportment: Uppermill
Best First Section: Blackburn and Darwen
Best Second Section: Meltham & Meltham Mills
Best Third Section: Uppermill
Best Fourth Section: Skelmersdale

Best Fourth Section Hymn Tune: Skelmersdale

Best Youth Band:
1. Elland Silver Youth
2. Bradford Youth
3. Wardle Junior Blast

Best Youth Soloist: Cornet (Elland Silver Youth)
Youth Deportment: Elland Silver Youth
Youngest Player: Ivy Clarke (8) of Wardle Junior Blast