Contest season 2016 began for The Skelmanthorpe Band and its conductor, Jim Davies with the Butlins Mineworkers Open Championships in Skegness on Saturday 16th January.
Drawn the first of twenty bands competing in the first section, Skelmanthorpe took to the stage and gave an extremely enjoyable and noteworthy performance of Ian McElligott’s melodious test piece in six movements, A Celt in Jerusalem.
Victory on the day went to Hebden Bridge closely followed by Drighlington Band in second place, Milton Keynes Brass in third and The Skelmanthorpe Band in fourth place.
Band member, Paul Oldfield offered his congratulations to the winning band saying, ‘Well done to my friends at Hebden Bridge and Drighlington. Great strength has been shown here today from the Yorkshire bands in section one!’.
The contest also saw the end of a chapter for the band’s percussionist, Ben Scholes and solo trombonist, Hannah Stell. Hannah and Ben progressed from Prospect Brass in 2013 and 2014 respectively to join the ranks of The Skelmanthorpe Band. Ben and his family thanked the organisation for some great music and memories over the past few years.
The band would like to thank Adam Bell, Steve Barrans andMike Cook on percussion and Andrew Horton on Bb cornet for their help during rehearsals and on the day.
