The day started at 10:00 am with the coach heading off from the Eden Project, on the wet, windy and winding roads to Torquay.

The band was in good spirits after a good few days with professional conductor Andy Duncan, and was confident it could challenge for the top honours and qualification.

Arriving at the Grosvenor Hotel, the band was delighted to hear it had been drawn 8th in the field of 12 bands, which meant that there was some time for final preparations before taking the stage.

The band was pleased with its performance of the set test piece 'Festival Music' by Eric Ball with special mentions going to all the soloists and the Trombone section in particular being praised by the adjudicators, Colin Hardy and Alan Hope.

The post contest gossip was that the result could go many ways with quite a few bands having given good performances on the day but on the announcement of the results, the band was declared Area Champions again, with SWT Woodfalls securing 2nd place and the other qualifying place to compete at the National Finals.

After the banding press photos were taken, the band enjoyed a few quiet drinks before heading back home to celebrate following the hard work put in leading up to the competition.

The band now take a week off before preparing for the BBC Radio 2 recording on 30th March and then the Grand Shield Competition in May, where the band will be fighting to qualify for the British Open held at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham in September.

The Band wishes to thank its supporters and conductor Andy Duncan for their continued hard work and commitment to the band.