Lochgelly’s Bond-themed programme takes the Northern Counties top honours

Lochgelly Band took the top honours at today’s Northern Counties entertainment contest. Led by musical director Chris Shanks, the band also won the best percussion, best soprano and best non-Northern Counties Brass Band Association (NCBBA) band prizes.

In second place was Bo’ness & Carriden (Charlie Farren) whose flugel player also picked up the best soloist award and third was Clackmannan District (Paul Drury), who put on the most entertaining programme, winning the best NCBBA band prize.

Taking the sectional awards were Lochgelly (1st), Clackmannan District (2nd), Perthshire Brass (3rd) and Turriff Silver (4th).

The contest, which was sponsored by Besson and Band Supplies, took place at the North Inch Community Campus, Gowans Terrace, Perth.

Lochgelly’s winning programme – on the theme of The name's Six, Bond Six, Reporting for Duty – opened with Goldfinger/Die Another Day (arr Catherall/Shanks) followed by Live And Let Die (arr Ray Farr, featuring soprano soloist Christopher Roberts), Writing's on the Wall (arr Chris Shanks, featuring vocal soloist Chiara McGlynn), Nobody Does it Better (arr Paul Lovatt-Cooper, featuring flugel soloist Margaret Smith and horn soloist Eileen Jenkins) Vesper (David Arnold, arranged by Chris Shanks) and rounded off with You Know My Name (arr Lee Morris, featuring principal cornet soloist Lynsey Mcilwraith).

Adjudicator Chris Robertson and NCBBA president Jim Wishart present Emma Smith, a member of Lochgelly's prize winning percussion team, with the trophies

The full results, as determined by adjudicator Chris Robertson, solo euphonium with Brighouse & Rastrick Band, were:

1. Lochgelly (Chris Shanks) 196pts

2. Bo’ness & Carriden (Charlie Farren) 194pts

3. Clackmannan District (Paul Drury) 193pts

4. Kirkintilloch Kelvin (Mark James) 191pts

5. Irvine & Dreghorn (Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale) 190pts

6. Newmains & District (Paul McKelvie OBE) 188pts

7. Tullis Russell Mills (John-Luke Harris) 186pts

8. Perthshire Brass (Jason Blyth) 185pts

9. Turriff Silver (Matt Bailey) 183pts

10. Dundee Instrumental (Bob McDonald) 181pts