SEVEN brass bands from the Forest of Dean were finally able to compete in the West of England Regional Championships at Cheltenham Racecourse this month, after last year’s event was cancelled because of the pandemic.

The local bands competed across all classes at the contest hosted by WEBBA (Council of West of England Brass Band Associations), which took place over the weekend of April 2 and 3.

The competition, which was last held just before the UK went into lockdown in March 2020, was a fiercely contested affair, with more than 60 bands appearing from areas across the West Country, including Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, over the two days.

Lydbrook Band, conducted by Steve Sykes, finished in 10th place out of 12 in the competition’s Championship Section, performing ‘Contest Music’ by Wilfred Heaton.

Perhaps the most successful of the local bands to take part was the A W Parker Band from Drybrook, conducted by Joshua Ruck, who achieved third place out of 15 in the First Section, with the test piece ‘Spectrum’ by Gilbert Vinter.

Forest of Dean Brass, conducted by Thomas Dunne, also competed in the First Section and finished in 13th place.

Cinderford Band, conducted by Chris Howley, came in 7th out of 11 in the Second Section, performing ‘The Aeronauts’ by Goff Richards, while Bream Silver Band, conducted by Hugh Bamford, came in 10th in the class.

In the Third Section Lydney Town Band, also conducted by Thomas Dunne, came in 5th out of 14 with ‘Facets of Glass’ by Gordon Langford.

The Fourth Section saw Pillowell Silver Band, conducted by Ian Whitburn, finish 9th out of 11 with the test piece ‘Argos’ by Stephan Hodel.

Rosemarie Butson of A W Parker Band said of their third place finish: “This was a fantastic result and a just reward for all the hard work and determination that had taken place over the last few months.”

The band reserved extra praise for all who took part this year having overcome challenges of Covid-19, player retirements and lockdown restrictions during the last two years.