THE Hardraw Scar Brass Band Festival celebrated the 126th anniversary of this famous contest last Sunday in the impressive natural amphitheatre at Hardraw Scar.

Twelve bands played throughout the day, watched by a large crowd of visitors in perfect weather.

The event was organised by Yorkshire and Humberside Brass Band Association, and jointly sponsored by T&R Theakston Brewery and Charltons Estate Agency. It was held in the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn, and enthusiastically supported by owners Mark and Yvonne Thompson.

Harrogate Band won the overall title, and this championship band were also judged to have played the best march and the best hymn in their section.

Otley Brass Band were the winners from the fourth and ungraded bands. Mrs Laidler, the band's secretary, said that this was the first time in the band's history that they had entered a competition.

Gordon Eddison had taken over as the band's new musical director earlier in the year and had overseen significant improvements in that time. They were particularly pleased to do so well, and also enjoyed the unexpected bonus of a crate of beer subsequently donated and delivered by Theakston's Brewery.

Elland Silver Youth Band, the junior national GB champion band, were conducted by Samantha Harrison. They delighted the crowd, playing exceptionally well considering that their average age must have only about 15 years.

Results and awards

1 £300 and the D Mark Thompson Green Dragon Trophy: Harrogate Band; 2 £200 and the Geoffrey Evison Memorial Trophy: Shepherd Building Group Band; 3 £120 and the Richmondshire District Council Chairman's Trophy: Wetherby Silver Band; 4 £80 and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Trophy: Broughtons Brass Band.

March: The Besses Hardraw Scar 2000 Cup: Harrogate Band.

Hymn: The Dalesman Hymn Tune Trophy: Harrogate Band

Solo: The T&R Theakston Hardraw Scar Trophy: Wetherby Silver Band.

The conductor of the band winning 1st prize: an engraved tankard: David Lancaster, Harrogate Band.

Awards for fourth and ungraded bands. - 1 £125 and the Charltons Estate Agency Trophy: Otley Brass Band; 2 £100 and the Ray Needham Rose Bowl: Elland Silver Youth Band; 3 £75 and the Hawes & High Abbotside PC Chairman's Trophy: Friendly (Sowerby Bridge) Band; 4 £50 and the Walter Fox memorial trophy: Swinton & District Excelsior Band; 5 £25 and the Kirkby Lonsdale BB Trophy: Leyburn Band.

The C D Howarth Trophy: Shepherd Group Concert Band.

March: Otley Brass Band.

Hymn: Elland Silver Youth Band.

Solo: Leyburn Band.