Blackburn and Darwen March and Hymn Tune Contest
Hepworth Band took the honours at the 10th Blackburn and Darwen March and Hymn Tune Contest on 22nd June at Darwen Market Place for the first time since 2019.
To celebrate this now popular contest’s 10th year, organisers increased the prize money to a total of £3,300 with a top prize of £1,000, making it a profitable weekend for Hepworth following its Whit Friday outing. Led by Ryan Watkins, the National finalist performed ‘The Wizard’ and ‘In Love for Me’ to secure the title. In a closely fought battle Senior Cup runner-up, Milnrow led by Chris Binns on ‘Ravenswood’ and ‘Nicaea’, came second with Stephanie Binns lifting the Best Soloist Award. In the end, the title was decided by Hepworth’s first-placed march ahead of Milnrow’s top slot on the hymn tune.
Third place went to this year’s Senior Trophy winner, Boarshurst Silver under Jamie Prophet, who performed ‘Ravenswood’ and ‘Mid all the Traffic’, with section prizes for Haydock, Poulton le Fylde, BMP Europe Ltd (Goodshaw), and Brindle.
Results
Adjudicator: Chris Robertson
March/Hymn = total
* Denotes higher march place taking precedence
1. Hepworth (Ryan Watkins) 1/2 = 3*— Overall Winner
2. Milnrow (Christopher Binns) 2/1 = 3
3. Boarshurst (Jamie Prophet) 3/4 = 7
4. Wingates (Matthew Ryan) 5/3 = 8
5. Haydock (Mark Quinn) 4/5 = 9
6. BMP Europe Ltd. (Goodshaw) (Dean Redfearn) 6/6 = 12
7. Farnworth and Walkden (Matthew Whitfield) 7/7 = 14
8. Thornton Cleveleys (Steve Craig) 8/9 = 17*
9. North Lakes Brass (Gareth Sykes) 9/8 = 17
10. Poulton le Fylde (Steve Craig) 10/10 = 20
11. Brindle (Steve Hartley) 11/11 = 22
12. Besses Boys (James Holt) 13/12 = 25
13. Blackpool Brass (John North) 12/14 = 26
14. Pilling Jubilee Silver (Joshua Hughes) 14/13 = 27
Best Section 1 Band: Haydock
Best Section 2 Band: Poulton le Fylde
Best Section 3 Band: BMP Europe Ltd (Goodshaw)
Best Section 4: Brindle
Best Soloist: Stephanie Binns, cornet, Milnrow
Youngest Player: Besses Boys
