HADE EDGE (J&E Dickinson) Band scooped an armful of trophies at the 79th Holme Valley Brass Band Contest in Holmfirth Civic Hall, and television cameras were on hand to register their success.

Competing in Section A, Hade Edge musical director, Simon Wood, tied for the award of outstanding conductor with Glyn Williams, musical director of Marsden Silver (Riverhead Brewery), but first place went to Hade Edge with Marsden one point behind.

In Section B, Meltham and Meltham Mills (Stuart Fawcett) did a repeat performance of last week's double win in the Pogson-Bray contest, which made it a very successful few days for the band.

Maurice Priestly, who hails from the North-East, adjudicated, with Sidney Swancott (Doncaster) assessing the department prizes as the bands marched through Holmfirth.

Other special awards were: Outstanding cornet player in the contest: Ian Mallalieu (Hade Edge); best bass section: Marsden Silver; conductor gaining most points: Simon Wood (Hade Edge).

The youngest player in the contest was James Rushworth, of Burbage (Buxton), who celebrated his ninth birthday last Friday.

Four people who have a total of over 200 years' service with brass bands received 50-year medals from Alan Kaye, president of the Huddersfield and District Brass Band Association.

They were Gwen Iredale (Linthwaite Band), June Jamieson (Linthwaite), Peter Swallow (Linthwaite) and Peter Badham (Hade Edge).

The full results were:

Section 1: 1 Hade Edge (J&E Dickinson) (S Wood) 194, 2 Marsden Silver (Riverhead Brewery) (G Williams) 193; hymn: 1 Marsden 95, 2 Hade Edge 94. Special awards: Best local band: Hade Edge; outstanding euphonium: Marsden; highest placed Holme Valley band: Hade Edge.

Section B: 1 Meltham and Meltham Mills (S Fawcett) 191, 2 Diggle (N Law) 189, 3 Elland Silver (M Griffiths) 188; hymn: 1 Meltham and Meltham Mills 92, 2 Elland Silver 91. Special awards: Outstanding euphonium: Meltham and Meltham Mills; best trombone section: Slaithwaite; outstanding conductor: Stuart Fawcett (Meltham and Meltham Mills).

Section C: 1 Uppermill (A Widdop) 184, 2 Burbage (Buxton) (S Critchlow) 183, 3 Linthwaite (Dr O Wedgewood) 182; hymn: 1 Uppermill 86, 2 Linthwaite 84. Special award: Outstanding euphonium, Burbage (Buxton).