Bands tune up for Borders Entertainment Contest

Fourteen bands will be hoping to delight audiences as they take to the stage at the Borders Entertainment Contest this Saturday.

The event, being held this year at Kelso North Church, will see bands from sections 2-4 perform a 15-minute mini concert programme in the hope of impressing and entertaining adjudicators Paul Drury and Derek Broadbent.

Each band will receive a traditional written adjudication and a unique record of the performance through a ‘voice-over’ live recording with a spoken review.

There are lots of awards on offer including section and individual prizes, as well as the main Entertainment prize and Overall winner.

Competition secretary Christine Calvert said: "We are pleased with the entry this year across the sections and look forward to hearing and meeting everyone in Kelso on Saturday.

"There is no host band this year so the organisation has fallen on the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association Committee who have worked hard to pull the event together.

"The event has been brought to Kelso to compere Alistair Hutton’s church, Kelso North, to thank Alistair for the many years help that he has given the association with our contest. It would not be the same without his dulcet tones introducing each band.

"We are also delighted with our adjudication team and look forward to hearing and seeing their thoughts on the day."

The first band will be on stage at 10.30 am with the results expected around 6 pm. Entry to the event is by donation.

It has also been announced that next year's Borders Entertainment Contest will be held at the Buccleuch Centre in Langholm on Saturday November 7, hosted by Langholm Town Band.