West of England Bandsmen's Festival 2005 - Bugle

Camborne Town Band under the baton of professional conductor Frank Renton claimed victory for the fourth consecutive year at the West of England Bandsmen's Festival on Saturday, narrowly beating local rivals Bodmin Town and this years West of England regional qualifiers for the National Finals, St Austell Town Band to claim the Royal Trophy and the £500 prize.

The soloist prizes were won by bands across the 5 sections. Kim Bazeley of St Dennis not only won the prize for the best player in the First section she also took home the prize for the best Euphonium player of the day. Steve Hawkey principle cornet for Bodmin Town took the best cornet prize and Becky Adams of St Austell won the Owen Tamblyn Memorial Cup for the best Solo Horn. Camborne's bass section were delighted to again win the prize for the best bass section as was their solo trombone player Nick Abbott who won the best player award in the Championship Section and Soprano Cornetist Jeremy Squibb winning the best Soprano award for no fewer than the 6th time.

Camborne bands chairman, Reg Bennett said "… I am absolutely delighted for the band. We have not had the best of luck over the last 6 months, and to bring the contest season to a close with such a stylish performance is testament to the band who have worked so hard over the last month. I am especially thrilled for the bass section, Squibby, and of course Nick Abbott on Solo Trombone…"

Even after many hours sitting in a very hot tent, world renowned adjudicator William Relton was delighted to return to judge the contest with its unique atmosphere.

First held in 1912 this popular event attracted entries from 28 bands making it the biggest ever entry. The promise of top class brass band music and excellent weather conditions with temperatures reaching the mid 20s attracted an audience of approximately 2000 people proving that the festival is as popular as ever.

Camborne's short concert in the square, directed by new Musical Director Steve Thomas, brought the house down, as the band mixed both traditional with modern as following The Cossack, Fest Music Der Stadt Wien led into the time honoured Deep Harmony. To send the crowd home with a spring in their step (even though it was well past 10 pm, the band rounded off the evening with a brand new arrangement especially written for the evening of Amarillo - by Steve Thomas.

Contest president Ivor Bowditch of Imerys was pleased to present the prizes to all the successful bands. He also delighted all the visitors to the contest by pledging the support of Imerys, the contest main sponsors for many years to come. Chairman Melville Hancock thanked all of the competitors, especially St Dennis Youth Band the only entrants in the Youth Section for an excellent day of music. He also thanked all the sponsors and the committee for their hard work, who after a short break will begin preparations for next years event.

Westcountry Television and their popular presenter Ron Bendell were in attendance for the whole day making a half hour documentary due to be shown over the coming months. Also enjoying a day of music was Philip Hunt presenter of BBC Radio Cornwall's "Sounds of Brass" who will be playing many of the day's performances, kindly recorded by Paul Martin Sound Productions on his popular Sunday evening programmes.