2007 Contest Report

BUGLE's main street became tin pan alley for the day when the clay village hosted the West of England Bandsmen Festival on Saturday. Crowds lined the streets to watch the traditional march of bands through the village for the 83rd annual contest.

It certainly did not rain on the parade as the march was met with bright sunshine. There was a special cheer for St Austell Town Band who were wearing button hole flowers to mark the passing of popular conductor and cornet player Peter Minear, Peters cornet was proudly displayed by musical director David Loukes as he marched in front of the band through the village.

The only outdoor brass band competition of its type still in existence was slightly marred by frequent downpours but the weather did not put off the crowds. Close to 2000 people packed into Molinnis Park to see the 19 bands perform set works in the various sections all doing their best to beat their competitors and take home some of the 33 trophies up for grabs.

This year eight bands competed for the coveted Royal Trophy in the Championship Section. The section was won in fine style by the Camborne Town Band led by Frank Renton of BBC Radio 2 fame who’s reading of the set test “Le Carnival Romain” and March “Celebration” found favour with the audience and adjudicator Dennis Wilby alike. Mount Charles band were awarded a close second place with St Austell Town conducted by David Loukes taking third place.

Adding to West Cornwall’s haul of trophy’s Heyl Town won the second section while Camborne B triumphed in the third section. St Breward Silver were awarded the fourth section winners prize and St Dennis Youth under the baton of Brian Minear were the winners of the closely contested youth section just ahead of Mount Charles Youth.

Adjudicator Dennis Wilby from Yorkshire sat in the traditional tent to give his unbiased opinion of each and every performance throughout the day. In his address to the audience preceding the awards ceremony Mr Wilby commented on the fine standard of playing throughout the day making special mention to the young players in the youth section and the high standard of playing by the euphonium players in the championship section bands who all tackled the difficult euphonium solo in “Le Carnival Romain” with apparent ease.

Leonard Adams, the festivals new Chairman thanked his predecessor Melville Hancock and the festivals treasurer John Tanner for their hard work, both were stepping down after many years at the helm. Mr Adams also paid tribute to Peter Minear who he described as “one of the countries finest bandsmen, both as a highly respected cornet player and conductor”.

Leonard thanked all the bands for entering the contest with special mention of the Langley band who travelled from the Midlands for the first time and Wantage from Oxfordshire making a return visit after last year. Wantage were treated to a true Cornish welcome to the county when they ended their day by visiting the St Austell Band Club to be entertained by members of the St Austell Band.

Rob Faro, from the West of England Bandsmen Festival, said: "A fantastic day was had by all; the inclement weather did not affect proceedings especially with an additional marquee provided to shelter the audience”

"The streets were packed with people cheering the bands, especially as St Austell Band paraded past paying their moving tribute to Peter Minear." Said Festival promoter Andrew Teague.

Organisers, villagers and bands are all looking forward to next years contest due to be held on Saturday 21st June 2008.