PHOTO GALLERY: Where there’s Whiston, there’s brass!


That was surely the feeling in Whiston on Saturday afternoon as crowds flocked to the village for its annual celebration of brass bands.
Bands from across the region battled it out for the winners’ shields and cups on the purpose-built stage the centre of Whiston.
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Hide AdThere were plenty of family activities on offer, too, with stalls and fairground rides.
Members of Thoresby Colliery Band were happily blowing their own trumpets — and horns, tubas, etc — after taking the main title, while Shirland Training won the Junior and Training section.
Organising committee chairman Ian Close said up to 6,000 people had attended this year’s event, officially known as Whiston Festival of Brass.
“It attracts people from far and wide and it’s a real family gathering,” he said.
“It’s certainly a highlight of the brass band calendar.”
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Hide AdIan said he was not surprised adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth had chosen Thoresby as the winner as they were “a high quality band” and “firm favourites”.
He said Whiston’s festival was popular with brass band members because of its informal atmosphere and emphasis on innovation rather than relying on traditional tunes and hymns.
Collections were made for trombonist Stephen Sykes, who is being treated for cancer, and for the victims of the Manchester terror attack.
Next year’s festival will be held on Saturday, July 7.