Bringing the brass band magic to Bugle in the 91st West of England Bandsmen's Festival

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Source: cornishguardian Bugle Silver Band will be hoping for a gong

THE magical sound of traditional Cornish bands will fill the air in Bugle at the weekend in the 91st annual West of England Bandsmen's Festival.

Since the first Bugle Band Contest in 1912 when an estimated 6,000 people attended to marvel at the prowess of the players of a dozen or more bands concentrated in the clay country villages of the time, the contest has carried on the area's musical tradition.

This year 32 bands have entered the competition, to be held at Molinnis Park on Saturday (June 20), and for the first time since 2004 there will be international representation in the form of Brass Band Bern from Switzerland as well as bands from South Wales, Gloucestershire, Hampshire and Oxford.

Contest spokesman Phillip Hunt said: "We have had a very good entry in all sections and we are particularly pleased to have a band from Switzerland this year; they have a very good reputation and they are a bit of a dark horse in the Championship Section – the local bands know each other and know each other's capabilities so they will add a little extra frisson."

In the Championship Section will be last year's winners Camborne Town, joined by Lanner and District Silver, Mount Charles, Regional Brass Band Bern, St Austell Town and St Dennis.

The First Section will see Forest of Dean Brass, Helston Town, Roche Brass, Shrewton Silver, and Yeovil Town, and the in the Second Section will be Bodmin Town and Bugle Silver.

Camborne Junior Contesting, Jubilee Brass (Oxford) and Tadley Concert Brass will contest in the Third Section, and the Fourth Section will consist of Lanner Brass Academy, Newquay, Okehampton Excelsior Silver, Redruth Town, Saltash Town, St Agnes Town Silver, Tadley Concert Brass and Tiverton Town.

Up and coming players from Mount Charles, St Austell and St Dennis will get their chance to shine in the Youth Section while in the Training Section will be Lostwithiel, Pendeen Junior, Saltash Town, Soundhouse and The Reds from Redruth.

Each band plays a set piece, with those in the top two sections also performing a second piece.

Aside from its suspension during the two world wars, the contest has been held most years, enjoying an as yet unbroken run since 1947.

In 1971 an experiment was held in taking the competition under canvass, amid warnings of particularly inclement weather, but it was not seen as a success and since then the contest has remained true to its traditional roots as an open air event.

The morning march at this year's event will start at 9am from the centre of the village to the competition ground and the contest itself will begin with the Fourth Section at 9.30am.

Entry is £8 for adults and £5 for children, with family tickets at £20 for two adults and up to three children. Cars can be parked on the field at £3 per car. Seating and refreshments will be available but people are also welcome to bring their own.