*
banner

Play your part and get swabbed for Sykes

Get registered today and you could be playing your part in fighting blood cancer.

Stephen Sykes
  Get registered and you can help Stephen Sykes and thousands of other people

The brass band movement is gearing up to support former Tredegar trombone star Stephen Sykes who is continuing his treatment in his battle with lymphoma.

Players are being asked to register with the DKMS organisation, which was launched in the UK in February 2013 with a key mission to register lifesaving blood stem cell donors.

By registering and getting a package to undertake a 2 minute swab which is sent for possible match analysis you could be helping to save lives. Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer such as Leaukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma.

Support

Stephen mum, Joanne told 4BR. "Stephen has had so much support from the brass band movement all over the world, and this treatment could well help him and thousands of others. It's easy to register and the swab takes just a couple of minutes and is sent off to see if it is a match."

Stephen has had so much support from the brass band movement all over the world, and this treatment could well help him and thousands of othersJoanne Sykes

Sign up

Tredegar Band MD Ian Porthouse told 4BR: "We will be signing up as many people as possible and hope that others do the same. This is such important research, so please take the time to register and help."

4BR Editor Iwan Fox has followed many and has signed up. "The registration process is quick and easy and you can make an immediate donation if you wish to as well. A couple of minutes of your time can make such a huge difference."

Go to:

Go to: https://www.dkms.org.uk/en

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


udi

Results: 2026 Dutch National Championships

October 23 • Brass Band Schoonhoven reclaims National title as there are victories for Chr. Brass Band Excelsior, Brass Band De Bazuin B, Koperensemble de Waldsang and UDI Brass Band Oosternijkerk in Utrecht.


Black Dyke

Varley heads from Hammonds to Queensbury

October 23 • Philip Varley joins Black Dyke Band on solo cornet from Yorkshire rivals.


Dutch National Championships

Countdown to Dutch National Championships

October 21 • Go to our special live page of coverage from the 2026 Dutch National Championships which start at the TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht this afternoon.


Hands up

Audition call for Scottish Youth

October 21 • Young players in Scotland are being encouraged to audition for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the RAF Regiment

Friday 23 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Redbridge Brass Band

Saturday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


The Hepworth Band - Aireborough Rotary Club Annual Charity Concert

Sunday 25 October • Yeadon Town Hall, High Street, Yeadon LS19 7PP


Dobcross Silver Band - Tintwistle Band

Sunday 25 October • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Cliff Hardie Big Band

Thursday 29 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We are currently looking for a kit player to help complete our team. We are a 4th section contesting Band, with a busy period coming up, and would like to fill the position as soon as possible.


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We currently have vacancies for 2 tenor trombones. As a 4th section contesting Band, we have a diary filling up with various engagements to keep us busy, and therefore keen to fill the positions.


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting Band with a vacancy for a cornet player, position negotiable. Our diary is filling up with various engagements, so we are keen to fill the position.


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd