The GBBA organise and run two contests each year, which are open to both members and non-member bands.
Details of the future contests are below and you can view the results from previous contests by clicking the links to the right.
Date: 05 February 2012
Venue: Larruperz Centre, Grammar School Close, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7QD.
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Adjudicator: Phil Harper
Compere: David Hayward
The Gloucestershire Brass Band Association Entertainment Contest enjoyed a successful first contest at their new venue at The Larruperz Centre in Ross-on-Wye.
Twelve bands battled the elements to play on the day with three bands having to withdraw – two due to travel problems. The new location of the contest encouraged the highest number of paying spectators attending the contest in recent years, despite the inclement conditions.
The GBBA Executive Committee would like to thank the management of The Larruperz Centre for their hospitality on the day and also Ross-on-Wye Town Council for supporting the event. Mayor of Ross-on-Wye Councillor David Ravenscroft presented the prizes to all the winning bands.
Section A - All Championship to Fourth Section Bands
Band | Points Score | |
1 | Bream Silver | 186pts |
2 | A. W. Parker (Drybrook) | 185pts |
3 | RAF St. Athan Voluntary | 180pts |
4 | Ynyshir | 178pts |
5 | Cheltenham Silver | 175pts |
6 | Gosport Solent | 171pts |
7 | Nailsworth Silver | 170pts |
W | Chinnor Silver | - |
W | Llwydcoed | - |
Best Soloist - David Foxley (Euphonium) - Nailsworth Silver
Most Entertaining Band - Ynyshir
Highest Placed Second Section Band - RAF St. Athan Voluntary
Highest Placed Third Section Band - Bream Silver
Second Placed Third Section Band - A. W. Parker (Drybrook)
Third Placed Third Section Band - Ynyshir
Highest Placed Fourth Section Band - Cheltenham Silver
Second Placed Fourth Section Band - Gosport Solent
Third Placed Fourth Section Band - Nailsworth Silver
Section B - Youth, Training & Unregistered Bands
Band | Award |
Lions Brass4Youth | Gold Award |
Cwmtawe Youth Band | Gold Award |
Lydbrook Training | Gold Award |
Lydney Training | Silver Award |
Cheltenham Silver Training | Bronze Award |
Cinderford Academy | Withdrawn |
Best Soloist - Rory Gordon - Lydney Training
Best Band in Section B - Lions Youth4Brass
Youngest Player - Ollie Banasiak - Cheltenham Silver Training
New Venue Used for 2012
The GBBA Committee decided to move the 2012 Entertainment Contest to a new venue. This decision was taken after a survey of several possible venues and the Larruperz Centre has been chosen with the following factors in mind....
- Road Links - Ross-on-Wye has excellent road links, being only 5 minutes off the M50, which itself joins the M5. The road links from the east are also good, with the A40 and A449 providing a straight road to the M4. This improved position will cut down on travel time for bands coming from further away and remove any problems with finding the venue. Parking is also available at the venue for coaches and cars.
- Local Amenities - Ross-on-Wye is a very attractive town with all the facilities you could require for a day out. It is also within walking distance of the Larruperz Centre, making it possible to move freely between the contest venue and the shops.
- Onsite Facilities - The Larruperz Centre not only has a suitable hall for the contest to take place in but also has several rooms where individual bands can change and leave their belongings. The Management of the venue will also provide food and a full bar, so there is no need to move offsite for post-performance drinks. The trade stands will also be housed in the same room, removing the sometimes disconnected feel of previous contests.
- Value for Money - Lastly, the Larruperz Centre offers real value for money, with a competitive pricing structure and very active management, who are eager to play their part in the contest and make it a day to remember.
Now that the contest has taken place, the committee would welcome any feedback you may have on the move. Please let us know so we can plan ahead for future contests.
Here are some useful links to more information about the Larruperz Centre...
Date: 20 November 2011
Venue: Forest Theatre, Royal Forest of Dean Campus, Five Acres, Gloucestershire, GL16 7JT.
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Adjudicator: Stephen Roberts
Compere: David Hayward
Congratulations to the A. W. Parker (Drybrook) Band, Forest of Dean Brass and Lydbrook Band who won in their respective sections and to Lydney Training, who gained the only Gold Award in the Youth section!
Section D - Youth, Training & Unregistered Bands
Band | Award |
Lydney Training | Gold Award |
Berkshire Youth | Silver Award |
Lydbrook Training | Silver Award |
Usk Youth | Silver Award |
City of Bristol Training | Bronze Award |
Croft Mid | Bronze Award |
Best Instrumentalist - Rory Gordon - Lydney Training Band
Most Players under 14 - City of Bristol Training Band
Youngest Player - Alice Gwynne-Duggan - Lydbrook Training Band
Section C - Fourth Section Bands
March Result | Test Piece Result | |
1 | A. W. Parker (Drybrook) - 88pts | A. W. Parker (Drybrook) - 92pts |
2 | City of Oxford Silver - 82pts | Malvern Hills District - 85pts |
3 | Malvern Hills District - 76pts | City of Oxford Silver - 78pts |
4 | Thornbury Town - 73pts | Thornbury Town - 75pts |
W | Nailsworth - W | Nailsworth - W |
Best Instrumentalist - Martin Musto (Principal Cornet) - A.W. Parker (Drybrook)
Best Trombone Section - A.W. Parker (Drybrook)
Winning Conductor - Steve Ruck - A.W. Parker (Drybrook)
Section B - Second & Third Section Bands
March Result | Test Piece Result | |
1 | Forest of Dean Brass - 96pts | Forest of Dean Brass - 94pts |
2 | Bream Silver - 93pts | Bream Silver - 92pts |
3 | City of Bristol - 90pts | City of Bristol - 90pts |
4 | Gwaun Cae Gurwen - 83pts | Gwaun Cae Gurwen - 87pts |
Best Instrumentalist - Craig Wintle (Principal Cornet) - Forest of Dean Brass
Winning Conductor - Jack Smith - Forest of Dean Brass
Highest Placed Third Section Band - Bream Silver
Section A - Championship & First Section Bands
March Result | Test Piece Result | |
1 | Lydbrook - 98pts | Lydbrook - 98pts |
2 | Verwood Concert Brass - 90pts | Hyde - 95pts |
3 | Hyde - 89pts | Verwood Concert Brass - 92pts |
Best Instrumentalist - Alison Millin (Principal Euphonium) - Lydbrook
Winning Conductor - Ian Holmes - Lydbrook
Best Horn Section - Lydbrook
Best Bass Section - Lydbrook
Best Percussion - Lydbrook
Best Cornet Player - Phil Storer - Lydbrook
Best Flugel - Emily Dodsworth - Lydbrook
Best Euphonium - Alison Millin - Lydbrook
Best Instrumentalist of the Day - Alison Millin - Lydbrook