On the 18th of January Strata competed in the Butlins contest 1st section; the first time the band has competed at this level. Competing against 21 other bands on ‘Vitae Aeturnum’ (Paul Lovett Cooper) the band placed a very creditable 7th.
On the 23rd of February the band made the short journey to the Post Mill Centre at South Normanton to complete in the NEMBBA contest. Playing the area test piece ‘Cry of the Mountain’ (Howard Lorrimer) the band beat 5 others to claim 1st prize by a clear 2 point margin. The band also won prizes for best Principal Cornet (Mandy Holling), best Soprano Cornet (Danny Bell), best Trombone (Dave Smith) & best Percussion (Robert Hardy, David Fretwell & Faith Bowles). Congratulations to everyone!