Dobcross Youth Band struck silver and bronze at the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain on Saturday, capping a day that saw 78 youngsters from the village travel to Birmingham to perform alongside 41 other ensembles.

The annual Youth Champs, staged by Brass Band England at the city’s centrepiece venue, drew players aged 7 to 18 from across the country. Dobcross entered all three tiers—beginner, trainer and youth—with many children making their first appearance on a national stage. “The event was remarkable as ever and the children had a wonderful time. It was great to see many of our youngsters playing for the first time at the event, including a selection of first time soloists,” said Jenny Wood, the band’s secretary.

The training band walked away with a silver certificate of achievement, while the youth band earned bronze, rewards that reflected hours of rehearsal back in Saddleworth. Musical director Steve Beardmore led the contingent, flanked by band secretary Wood and soloists Naomi Chamberlain, Phoebe Garlick, Finn Ashwell Pugh, Joseph Ridyard and Owen Bryars.

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