MEMBERS of Kirkbymoorside Brass Band have had one of their most successful months in its 200 year history.

Players, aged seven to 60, have competed at events across the north of England, with a string of successes.

Pupils from Nawton and Kirkbymoorside Primary Schools, taught by tutors from Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band, competed at Eskdale Festival with 11 youngsters performing within the two brass soloist classes.

Brass soloist group one was won by Grace Walker, from Nawton Primary, with Heidi Maxwell, Kirkbymoorside, second and Louie Kendall, Nawton and Megan Wentworth, Kirkbymoorside, joint third.

The Brass soloist group two was won by Cally Cussons, from Kirkbymoorside Primary with Conor Woodward, Nawton, second.

Jeanette Kendall, Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band tutor, said the schools also combined to perform as a band with all 23 players from both schools, winning first place with some wonderful remarks from the adjudicator Marilyn Davies.

“We haven't taken part in Eskdale Festival for a number of years but since band leader Les Maw passed away we wanted to start the tradition again of taking a junior band to this competition as we know it was something he was passionate about," she added.

"We are delighted with the results all the kids did brilliantly. We would also like to thank the organisers for such a great event.”

Meanwhile, Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band made the annual trip to the North of England Brass Band Finals becoming the first to win all five prizes in the first section of the competition.

Winning conductor was John Woodward, with best basses, Richard Smailes, Andrew Woodward, John Wright, John Kendall.

Best trombones, John Barrett, Lyndsey Flintoft, Jim Butler, and best percussion, Dave Wakely, Liam Carter and Dan Towler.

John Woodward said: “I’m delighted as the band had to put in a great deal of work on the piece."

"It was a difficult test, but it was also a very good test for bands at this level.”

He added: “We enjoyed working on the piece, and I’m happy they liked how we played it. I take my hat off to my players and especially our award winning trombone, percussion and bass sections.”

John also made special mention of Mhairi Maxwell, Connor Lally and Dan Towler, all of whom were competing for the first time in the Senior ranks.

The band now has a busy time ahead celebrating their 200 year anniversary and a trip to Germany before they head to Cheltenham for the National Brass Band Finals of Great Britain.