See also:
The information in this potted history has been collected from many sources including the WEBF Website and its commemorative programmes.
It is a tribute to those who initiated this contest and to those who continue to run this very important festival for the benefit of the Cornish brass band community. Without it, Cornish banding would be much the poorer.
2021
West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
The Festival was cancelled due to the Covid 19 (Coronavirus) virus restrictions.
2022
96th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Molinnis Park
18th June 2022
President: Ivor Bowditch
Chairman: Geraint P Richards
Secretary: Ian Powell
Treasurer: David J Jane
Promoter: Andrew Teague
There was great relief that the contest had resumed following its two-year suspension due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, it was not blessed with the best of weather and following a week of sunshine it was hit by severe winds and, at times, torential rain. Temperatures dropped and at one point the spectator’s marquee partially collapsed and had to be evacuated.
Chairman Geraint Richards appealed for a better attendance by Cornish bands with the phrase, “Use it or lose it”. The Festival, however, was well-attended by non-Cornish bands with one having travelled from the USA. Andrew Teague mentioned the physical effort in staging the contest and appealed for additional volunteers for next year’s contest.
This series of interviws was made during extremely windy conditions and despite severe editing this is very evident. Our apologies for this and to the interviewees for any comments which had to be omitted.
Tony Mansell chats to:
Anna Minear (St Austell Town Band player and St Austell Youth Band musical director)
Brian Minear (Former player and former St Dennis Silver Band musical director)
Ian Powell (Contest secretary and Bugle Silver Band cornet player)
Kevin Mackenzie (Camborne Town Band musical director)
Leonard Adams (Former Contest chairman, player and musical director)
Phillip Hunt (Contest publicity officer, radio broadcaster and brass band historian)
Adjudicator: Tom Hutchinson
Class: Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: On Alderley Edge
Test Piece: March – The Wizard
| On Alderley Edge | March – The Wizard | |||||
| Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Dennis | D R Hawken | 1st | 193pts | 2nd | 195pts | |
| Camborne Town | David Hirst | 2nd | 192pts | 1st | 196pts | |
Special Awards
| Award | Name | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Best Player | J. Hitchens (Euphonium) | Camborne |
Class: Class B / First Section
| Purpose | Hymn – Love Divine | |||||
| Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Austell | Stuart Chappell | 1st | 194pts | 3rd | 91pts | |
| AW Parker (Drybrook) | Joshua Ruck | 2nd | 192pts | 2nd | 92pts | |
| Forest of Dean | Thomas Dunne | 3rd | 191pts | 1st | 95pts | |
| Bournemouth Concert Brass | Matthew Brown | 4th | 189pts | 4th | 90pts | |
| Lake Wobegone (USA) | Michael Halstenson | 5th | 187pts | 5th | 88pts | |
Special Awards
| Award | Name | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Best Player | Jim Mason (Soprano) | Forest of Dean |
Class: Class C / Second Section
| The Land of the Mountain and the Flood | Hymn – Treskerby | |||||
| Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Charles | Jeremy Taylor | 1st | 191pts | 1st | 87pts | |
Special Awards
| Award | Name | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Best Player | Steve Fryett (Soprano) | Mount Charles |
Class: Class D / Third Section
| Napoleon on the Alps | ||||
| Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Queens | Ben Martin | 1st | 192pts | |
Special Awards
| Award | Name | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Best Player | Nicola Pascoe (Solo Horn) | Indian Queens |
Class: Training
| Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundhouse Brass Juniors | G. Thompson | 1st | 193pts | |
| St Dennis Training | L. Trethewey | 2nd | 190pts |
Special Awards
| Award | Name | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Best Player | Dan Clements (Percussion) | St Dennis Training |
| Best Cornet Player | Evie Tucker | Soundhouse Brass Juniors |
Class: Youth
| Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Dennis Youth | D R Hawken | 1st | 190pts | |
| St. Austell Youth | Anna Minear | 2nd | 188pts |
Special Awards
| Award | Name | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Best Player | Cory Williams (Trombone) | St. Dennis Youth |
| Best Cornet Player | Lia Teague | St. Dennis Youth |
| Winning Conductor | Darren R Hawken | St. Dennis Youth |
Class: Deportment
| Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Austell | 1st | 36pts | ||
| Indian Queens | 2nd | 34pts |
Special Awards
| Award | Name | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Best Soprano | Jim Mason | Forest of Dean |
| Best Cornet Player | Luke Barker | St. Dennis |
| Best Euphonium | John Hitchens | Camborne |
| Best Solo Horn | Lauren Oliver | Mount Charles |
| Basses | AW Parker (Drybrook) |