A COMPETITION held at a village pub has seen the sounds of brass bands fill the evening air.

Anyone travelling through Stourpaine on a Sunday evening this summer might well have heard the melodious tones.

If so, they were coming from The White Horse Inn, in Shaston Road, which has played host to a special contest.

Entitled Brassed Off at the Horse, the pub has hosted a series of concerts over recent years, both before and after the Covid pandemic.

Landlords Chris and Ali Sargent hope the concerts will enable people not only hear brass bands, but also inspire the next generation of musicians.

And this year, the concerts have been in the form of a competition, with 10 bands hoping to scoop various trophies, designed especially for the competition and sponsored by Salcombe Brewery.

It has seen bands from Vale towns like Blandford and Shaftesbury compete alongside others from as far afield as Glastonbury and Romsey.

Ranging from championship performers to non-competing outfits, it is hoped the competition will become an annual event in the village.

A spokesperson said it was also hoped next year may see a band from New Zealand play at the pub.

The winners of the 2023 competition were:
Deportment: Sherborne Town Band
Best Compere: Tim Stanger, Blandford Stour Valley Band
Best Program for a Pub Audience: Paul Williams, Downton Band
Junior Soloist (u18): Ollie, Ringwood and Burley Band
Senior Soloist: Kevin Robbins, Glastonbury Brass
Waiter and Waitresses Prize: Poole Borough
Landlords Choice, Best Band: Glastonbury Brass