The 2010 Contest

The contest took place in reasonable conditions considering the dire weather forecasts and as usual a good time was had by all.  The bands played to record audiences who enjoyed a day of fantastic music in delightful surroundings.  However the Yorkshire & Humberside BBA wish to apologise to all those people who came to enjoy the Brass Band Festival at Hardraw Scaur this year and found it very difficult to hear the music.  The Landlord of the Green Dragon, who operates the ‘gate’, has advised us that just over 1,700 people passed through the ticket office which compares to attendances of circa 900 over the past few years.  Following the filming of the event by the BBC last year, The Association did expect more visitors but not that the attendance would almost double!  To improve the situation, discussions have taken place with the PA system engineer to discuss a future arrangement whereby the microphone speakers at the ‘bottom’ end can be left switched on during band performances.

We have been advised by ITV. that the filming of this years Festival will be featured in a series of programmes entitled ‘The Dales’ commencing in March 2011. Next year the Festival will take place on the Sunday 11^th September, 10.00am start. 

New Trophies




Harrogate Band celebrated their fortieth anniversary this year by donating a new trophy to the contest.  This striking trophy is to be presented for the best performance of an original piece of brass band music composed in the last forty years.

Additionally Mark Thomson donated a new "Innkeeper's Trophy" for the overall winning band to replace the magnificent cup which has been showing signs of age over the last few years and will now enter honourable retirement in the "Green Dragon."

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 of them formed a team that was 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 Easter 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.