Camborne win the Royal Trophy

After a two year absence, the Camborne Band returned to the West of England Bandsmen's Festival and won the famous Royal Trophy for a record 37th time.

With the sun beating down from the clear blue sky, the picturesque Cornish village of Bugle was packed with players, supporters and visitors for a full day of wonderful outdoor music making. Molinnis Park was a hub of excitement as 30 bands thrilled the appreciative audience, whilst the traditional march to and from the village once again brought a touch of Whit Friday flavour to the event. As well as the regular Cornish competitors, there were bands from Oxford, Somerset, Hampshire and Gloucestershire, with the young stars of tomorrow in the excellent Youth and Training bands making a significant impact with their undiluted enthusiasm.

The top Championship honours went to the Camborne Band, directed by Kevin Mackenzie, who claimed the famous Royal Trophy for a record 37th time thanks to a well constructed performance of Edward Gregson’s ‘Connotations’. The band’s sop player Les Kneebone, solo horn Joanna Scott and the bass quartet of Matthew Julian, Lee Trewhela, James Sturgess and Garry Giles took individual awards for their fine contributions to the victory, with Lee Wilde of St Dennis claiming the ‘Best Solo Cornet’ trophy. 

Adjudicator Ian Porthouse was impressed by the playing on show, with the eventual winners pushed all the way by rivals St Dennis and defending champion St Austell. "There was some good playing in all sections," the Tredegar MD told 4BR. "There was a wonderful atmosphere about the whole day and the bands showed great commitment and quality on some tricky test piece choices. You could certainly hear why the West of England area is producing such fine bands and players."

There was also success for Camborne Junior Contesting Band as they won the Fourth Section under the direction of Alan Pope with a cracking performance of ‘Little Suite for Brass’.

Championship Section
Adjudicator: Ian Porthouse
Test Piece: Connotations (Edward Gregson)

1. Camborne Town (Kevin Mackenzie) - 193
2. St Dennis (Darren Hawken) - 192
3. St Austell Town (Melvin White) - 191

March: The Contestor (T J Powell)
1. St Dennis (Darren Hawken) - 193
2. St Austell Town (Melvin White) - 192
3. Camborne Town (Kevin Mackenzie)—191

Best Player Award: Lee Wilde (cornet) - St Dennis

Fourth Section
Adjudicator: Ian Porthouse
Test Piece: Little Suite for Brass Band No.1 (Malcolm Arnold)

1. Camborne Junior Contesting (Alan Pope) - 188
2. Tadley Concert Brass (Paul Chapman) -186
3. Jubilee Brass (Oxford) (Clifford Sadler) - 184

Best Player Award: Abbey Roberts (cornet) - Camborne Junior Contesting

Special Awards
Best Soprano: Les Kneebone (Camborne Town)
Best Solo Cornet: Lee Wilde (St Dennis)
Best Euphonium: Robert Jose (Roche Brass)
Best Solo Horn: Joanna Scott (Camborne Town)
Best Set of Basses: Matthew Julian, Lee Trewhela, James Sturgess, Gary Giles (Camborne Town)