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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 11th September,
10.00am
start.
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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.

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