Brass bands fill village for prestigious competition

News imageBBC A brass instrument being played by a person wearing a black and blue uniformBBC
Bands performed on stage and as they marched through the village

Hundreds of brass band members marched and played through a village's streets to battle for silverware at a competition's 100th edition.

The West of England Bandsmen's Festival, also known as the Bugle Band Contest, was held in Cornwall on Saturday with bands from across the South West and other parts of the country participating.

During the day, the bands headed down from Roche Road to Molinnis Road, where a stage was set up, before an evening march to the village square rounded off the day.

There were seven categories of competition with the top level Championship Section won by Northamptonshire-based GUS Band while St Dennis cornet musician Luke Barker won best player.

News imageA brass band plays on a stage while a crowd watches on.
Bands from across the country took part in the competition

Following the win, GUS Band played the final piece of the day in the village square as part of the tradition for the championship winner.

Other winners included Bodmin Town who won the First Section, the second highest level of competition at the contest, with their flugel player Yasmin Stevens winning the best player contest.

There were also successes for brass bands from St Keverne, Saltash Town, Pendennis and St Austell Youth.

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