Hardraw Scar Contest

Incorporating the Entertainment Contest organised by the Association in conjunction with and at the invitation of the Proprietor of the Green Dragon Inn

Small changes to Contest Format for 2009 Contest

The rules for the 2009 contest will be changed as follows: The two sections will remain as they are - i.e. top section for Champ. 1st. and 2nd section bands. lower section for 3rd. 4th. and unregistered/ungraded bands. Addition, An unregistered/ungraded band which wins the lower section for two years running will be required to play in the top section in subsequent years unless there is a genuine reason for not doing so. Any such `reason' is required to be submitted to the Association for deliberation.

Open adjudication will be used.

Performances will be timed.

Please see new rules for the contest

A Lasting Return to Hardraw Scar

The 2009 Hardraw Scar Contest will be missing one of its most enthusiastic stalwarts with the passing of Dennis Hill shortly after last year's contest. Dennis had been actively involved in all the twenty held since the contest was revived in 1989 under the leadership of Fred Bradbury who died in 1994.

Initially Dennis acted as the Registration Officer ably assisted by his wife Margaret during the period 1989 to 1997. The duty of Contest Controller followed on from 1998 to last year when Margaret took over as Registration Officer. The two them formed a team thatw as invaluable to the Association, not only at Hardraw, but at various contests over the years.

Dennis was elected to the office of Association Secretary in March 1984 so completed just short of 25 years up to his death in office. This appointment followed a previous involvement in the Association as the Association Youth Band Secretary from its formation in 1976. In addition he had a long commitment to Cottingham Band as their Secretary and latterly as the Band Chairman.

Mark Thompson, as the proprietor of the Green Dragon Inn and grounds, home of the Hardraw Scar Contest, agreed to Margaret's request for a burial site for Dennis' ashes and the planting of a memorial tree with an associated plaque. In the event , the selected site is close to that of the Association's Memorial Seat for Fred Bradbury, appropriately, overlooking the bandstand in the middle distance.

A dedication ceremony was held on Easer Monday for the burial and for planting the Memorial Rowan tree with an inscribed plaque sited nearby. A short service was conducted by Margaret's son , Rev. David Newlove, before a gathering of family and friends together with invited guests from the Association.

The Association had readily agreed to making the arrangements for the provision of the Memorial, as Margaret wished, as a final tribute to Dennis who was, as the final sentence on the plaque states, ".. a loyal friend and colleague."

Subsequently, Mark Thompson has kindly provided the planted tree with a barrier surround to protect it against the local deer.

DVD featuring Hardraw Scar Brass Band Festival

A DVD featuring the Brass Band Festival at Hardraw (amongst other items) has just been released for sale to the general public. The DVD is Issue No. 3 in the series “Around and About Yorkshire ” . It can be obtained from Dalesman Country Publications price £5.99.

To order phone 0845 053 9066 or contact www.dalesman.co.uk.

In 1881 the first annual Brass Band Contest was held in the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw. For a short history of the contest click here. Since 1989 the contest has been organised by the Yorkshire and Humberside Brass Bands Association and takes place in what is probably the most spectacular setting for any such event. Brass Bands, ranging from the small village band to the Championship Section, present short concerts throughout the day and are judged both on the standard of their music and on the selection of their concert programme.

Each band’s programme has to contain a march and a hymn tune, and their performance is limited to about 20 minutes each. Occasionally bands may choose to perform the same pieces but the format of this contest means that the audience get to listen to a great range of music in the course of the day. The day is brought to a traditional close with a short concert by the massed bands, after which the awards are presented. For a list of placings and adjudicators click here.

Entry is by programme, which enables the audience to come and go as they wish during the day; bars and catering are readily available and the natural amphitheatre makes a stunning spot to spend a summer Sunday. In any case, it is a wonderful opportunity to listen to brass bands doing what they do best – entertaining an audience!

Over the last 18 years more than a hundred bands have participated in this contest, many of them local, others coming from all over the North of England. For a a list recording them in Chronological order of first entry, together with the number of times they have competed and with any subsequent name changes click here.

On leaving his 'box' at the end of the 2003 contest the adjudicator made the following comments: "I am amazed to see so many people in attendance enjoying this thrilling experience. The setting in this beautiful gorge, surrounded by high cliffs, provides excellent acoustics and all bands did their very best to put on a wonderful show. Long may this unique and glorious event continue".