2025 Holmfirth Contest
Congratulations to the Hepworth Band, on its recent victory in the A section of the 2025 Holmfirth Contest. The band’s performance of Gregson’s ‘Dances and Arias’, under the leadership of MD Ryan Watkins made a very favourable impression on the day’s adjudicator, Sandy Smith, who awarded the band a 2-point margin over nearest rivals Boarshurst Silver. The band was also delighted to pick up additional silverware for their hymn tune, best basses, Best Euphonium (Dan Chan) and Outstanding Soloist (Harry Porthouse). In a comment on social media, a spokesperson for the band commented, "We had a great day performing 'Dances and Arias' as part of our preparation for the Grand Shield. We were delighted to be crowned as overall winners, with many of our soloists being rewarded for some great contributions. Well done to all the other prize-winners and thanks to Sandy Smith for some really constructive comments for us to take forward, and the organisers for another fantastic contest!"
In Section B Hatfield & Askern Colliery clinched a ‘double’ with two wins in a row at the event. With Richard Marshall at the helm the picked up the test-piece and hymn tune awards playing 'Purcell Variations' and 'Hyfrodol'. In addition, Richard Marshall’s youngest daughter Esme collected her own silverware as the competition’s youngest player. The Littleborough Band also successfully defended their Section C title under conductor Ashley Higgins with a super reprise of the recent Area set-work, 'I Daedelus' as well as topping the hymn tune discipline playing 'Nicaea'.
Results:
Section A:
1. Hepworth (Ryan Watkins)
2. Boarshurt Silver (Jamie Prophet)
3. Unite the Union (Jonathan Beatty)
4. Yorkshire Imperial (Stephen Malcolm)
5. Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)
6. Meltham & Meltham Mills (Tom Haslam)
Hymn Tune:
1. Hepworth
2. Unite the Union
3. Boarshurst Silver
4. Meltham & Meltham Mills
5. Yorkshire Imperial
6. Tewit Silver
Outstanding Euphonium: Dan Chan (Hepworth)
Outstanding Bass Section: Hepworth
Outstanding Soloist: Harry Porthouse (Hepworth)
Outstanding Conductor: Ryan Watkins (Hepworth)
Highest Placed First Section Band not in the prizes: Meltham & Meltham Mills
Section B: (Second and Third Section)
1. Hatfield & Askern Colliery (Richard Marshall)
2. Barnsley Brass (Ben Brickles)
3. East Riding of Yorkshire (Fiona Bishop)
4. Kippax (James Beecham)
5. Emley (Tim Sidwell)
6. Slaithwaite (Simon Jacobs)
7. Dronfield (Colum O'Shea)
Hymn Tune:
1. Hatfield & Askern Colliery
2. Barnsley Brass
3. Kippax
4. Slaithwaite
5. East Riding of Yorkshire
6. Dronfield
7. Emley
Youngest Player: Esme Marshall (Hatfield & Askern Colliery)
Outstanding Euphonium: Barry Clegg (Barnsley Brass)
Outstanding Trombone Section: Hatfield & Askern Colliery
Outstanding Percussion Section: East Riding of Yorkshire
Outstanding Conductor: Richard Marshall (Hatfield & Askern Colliery)
Highest Placed Third Section Band not in the prizes: Dronfield Band
Section C: (Fourth Section, Unregistered and Training bands)
1. Littleborough (Ashley Higgins)
2. Queensbury Music Centre (Chris Lewis)
3. Linthwaite (Tony Robertson)
4. St. John's Mossley (Ben Hill-Wilson)
5. Tewit Community Brass (Andrew Williams)
6. Cleethorpes (Brian Harper)
Hymn Tune:
1. Littleborough
2. Queensbury MC
3. Linthwaite
4. Tewit Community Brass
5. Cleethorpes
6. St. John's Mossley
Outstanding Soloist in Section C: Solo Cornet (Linthwaite)
Youth Section:
1. Tewit Youth (Martin Hall)
