Taking part in the 16th Brighouse Lyons’ March and Hymn Tune Contest, The Skelmanthorpe Band and Skelmanthorpe Prospect Brass marched along Bethel Street to the Town Hall Square where they performed their respective hymn tunes, ‘In Memoriam’ and ‘Nearer My God To Thee’ and contest marches, ‘The Wizard’ by George Allan and John R Carr’s, ‘Bramwyn’.
Already gathered on the streets to cheer on the contest’s 26 entrants, a large number of supporters had their afternoon’s entertainment thwarted by torrential rain showers. Relinquishing their prized pavement positions, the crowds of ardent brass enthusiasts who usually line the streets of Brighouse on this occasion, took shelter in the town’s cafés and pubs or, drenched to the skin, simply returned home.
John Parkinson, The Skelmanthorpe Band’s Soprano Cornet player, won the prize for the best Soprano Cornet of the day though sadly, neither of our two competing bands finished with a podium position. However, the members from both bands were delighted to see Prospect Brass’ MD, Phil Garlick (currently recovering from major surgery) in the crowd supporting our Community. Prospect Brass would like to thank substitute MD, Duncan Beckley, for his hard work in preparing the band for the contest and on the day.