1996: Annual Youth Band Championship

Talented youngsters from all the way across the south coast to take part.

The competition was organised by the Mid-Sussex Youth Marching Band.

The all day event was held at Oakmeed School.

The publicity officer, Mr Pat Drew told the Middy that the standard entry improved every year, and the bands chose more difficult tunes for that year to showcase the extent of their talent.

The school was filled with more than over 700 loyal supporters, who had travelled long distances to cheer on the 15 young bands who performed.

The youngsters competed in three different classes: novice, contest and championship.

Each of the bands were judged by ten members of the armed forces.

The bands were judged on an array of different objectives: general music effort, wind section, drum section, drill, display, dress, colour guards and showmanship.

There were 36 trophies presented by vice chairman of Mid-Sussex Council, Mr Edwin Cox.

At the end of the day, judges ruled it was Blue Horizon from Horsham who march off with the winning trophy.