THE 14th annual Borders Entertainment Contest for brass bands will make its second visit to Peebles next month when 17 bands will battle for the Scottish Borders Trophy.

The Scottish Borders Brass Band Association is organising the exciting event in conjunction with host band, Peebles, and the contest venue this time is Peebles High School on Saturday, November 1. The first band will be on stage at 9.30am, with the final band performing at 6pm.

Borders bands, Hawick, Jed-Forest, Langholm, Peebles, Selkirk and St Ronan’s, have all entered and will be joined at the contest by bands from across Scotland. Each band will play a 15-minute concert programme and adjudicators John Doyle and James Chamberlain will assess the performances.

“We are delighted with the fantastic entry of 17 bands from all over Scotland,” said association chairman Stephen Baird. “The contest promises to provide a great day’s entertainment and will bring many visitors to the region.” The contest is confined to second, third and fourth section bands and there will be prizes for the best band in each section and an entertainment prize as well as awards for the highest placed Borders Association Band, best soloist, best bass section, best percussion section, best instrumentalist and best solo cornet.

Food and drink, including a bar, will be available within the High School campus.Entry costs £5 and under 18s go free. Further details can be obtained from: K J Belleville by calling 01896 831721 or email: KJBelleville@aol.com