The 2009 Contest

The contest took place in glorious conditions and a great time was had by all.  The bands played to record audiences who enjoyed a day of fantastic music in delightful surroundings.  The new format of open adjudication was a great success and produced additional interest as audiences actually got to see what the adjudicator does!

This year's contest was also filmed by the BBC as part of a series to be broadcast next year - keep your eyes peeled for more details nearer the time!

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, 2nd and 3rd section bands. lower section for  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 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.