*
banner

2019 Spring Festival line-ups ready for action

The line-up of bands taking part in the 2019 Spring Festival in Blackpool on May 18th have been announced.

Winter Gardens
  The line-up of competing bands has been annoucned

The organisers of the 99th British Open Spring Festival have announced further details for the contests which will take place at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday 18th May.

Order of play

The Grand Shield will be the first event to go get under way in the Opera House at 10.00am, with the Senior Trophy starting in the Spanish Hall at 11.15am. The Senior Cup will commence in the Empress Ballroom at 11.45am.

The results ceremonies will take place in the Opera House at the conclusion of the Grand Shield.

The adjudicating team who will make the all important decisions comprises Ryan Breen, Garry Cutt, Dave Lea, Steve Sykes, Mark Wilkinson and Thomas Wyss. The pairings for each section will be announced on the day.

Tickets:

Tickets for the event can be purchased on the day or from Ticketmaster on 0844 856 11 11 at £12.00 and £8.00

The Grand Shield:


The Opera House
Test Piece: Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle)

First Prize: £800 and Grand Shield
Second Prize: £600
Third Prize: £400
Fourth Prize: £300

Draws: 9.00am & 12.50pm
Commence: 10.00am

Camborne Town (Kevin Mackenzie) (F)
City of Hull (Stig Maersk) (F)
Filton Concert Brass (Tom Davoren) (F)
Friary Brass Band (Chris King) (S)
Hepworth (Dr David Thornton) (F)
Jaguar Land Rover (Brad Turnbull) (S)
Milnrow (Dennis Hadfield) (F)
NASUWT Riverside (Professor Nicholas Childs) (S)
Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins) (S)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ben Dixon) (S)
Rainford (Gareth Brindle) (F)
Redbridge (Jeremy Wise) (S)
Reg Vardy (Russell Gray) (S)
Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts) (F)
Skelmanthorpe (Martin Heartfield) (S)
St Dennis (Darren R Hawken) (S)
the cooperation Band (Michael Fowles) (S)
The GUS Band (Chris Jeans) (F)
Thoresby Colliery (Ian McElligott) (F)
Woodfalls (Dr Robert Childs) (F)

The Senior Cup:


Empress Ballroom
Test Piece: Symphonic Music for Brass Band (Paul Huber)

First Prize: £600 and Belle Vue 100 Guinea Challenge Cup
Second Prize: £400
Third Prize: £300
Fourth Prize: £200

Draws: 10.45am & 1.30pm
Commence: 11.45am

Ashton-under-Lyne (Philip Chalk) (S)
Aveley & Newham (Alan Duguid) (S)
Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas) (F)
City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith) (Christopher Bond) (S)
Dalmellington (Nigel Boddice MBE) (F)
Derwent Brass (Jack Capstaff) (F)
Elland Silver (Daniel Brooks) (F)
Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins) (F)
Hatfield & Askern Colliery (Stanley Lippeatt) (F)
Jackfield (David Maplestone) (F)
Kingdom Brass (Ian Porthouse) (S)
Kirkintilloch (Leigh Baker) (S)
Llwydcoed (Chris Turner) (S)
Lydbrook (Glyn Williams) (F)
Newtongrange Silver (Andrew Duncan) (F)
Northop Silver (John Doyle) (F)
Ratby Co-operative (David Purkiss) (S)
Roche Brass (David Johnson) (S)
TCTC Group (Jef Sparkes) (S)
Wantage Silver (Paul Holland) (S)
Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (Garry Hallis) (S)

The Senior Trophy:


Spanish Hall
Test Piece: Triumphant Rhapsody (Gilbert Vinter)

First Prize: £600 and Senior Trophy
Second Prize: £400
Third Prize: £300
Fourth Prize: £200

Draws: 10.15am & 1.10pm
Commence: 11.15am

Burry Port Town (Ceri John) (F)
City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey) (S)
Drighlington (Neil Robinson) (S)
Easington Colliery (Jonathon Fenwick) (S)
East London Brass (Jayne Murrill) (F)
Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter) (F)
Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray) (F)
Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Keith Anderson)
Marsden Silver (Andrew Lofthouse)
Roberts Bakery (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Shepherd Group (Richard Wilton)
SPAL Sovereign Brass (Trevor Jones)
Staffordshire (Craig Williams)
Strata Brass (Jonathon Bates)
Tylorstown (Gary Davies)
Thundersley Brass (Melvin White)
Unison Kinneil (Raymond Tennant)
Unite the Union (John Davis)
Vernon Building Society Poynton (Ryan Watkins)
Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)

F: First half draw
S: Second half draw

Further information

For further information on the British Open go to: http:www.thebritishopen.net/

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    


Bousfield

Bousfield set for Welsh appearance

January 30 • Ian Bousfield will head to Cardiff next month to showcase Buxton Orr's 'Trombone Concerto' and Grant Kirkhope's 'KirkFeld Concerto'.


Smith and Grezzy

Podcast: Smith & Grezzy's Big Chat Brass

January 30 • Sandy and Simon take a look at the growing success of day time banding as well as a few things that are good, bad and dodgy in the banding world...


Bandstand

Radio: Bandstand

January 30 • More great music from the new brass band radio programme is being broadcast on ABC Classic in Australia each week.


BrookWright Music

Major Trade partnership link for BrookWright Music

January 30 • New partnership deal sees Trade Central, part of The Salvation Army's USA Central Territory, become an official distributor for BrookWright Music.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Tintwistle Band

January 29 • We have a vacancy for a soprano cornet player, ideally able to join us long-term, but we are also looking to fill this position to compete in the 2nd section Midlands area contest in March 2026.. We enjoy all year round concerts, contests,and social events


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

January 28 • Principal Cornet vacancy after March 2026. Our current player has asked for a very special 80th birthday present, a new player so that he can retire!. . Flexible rehearsal arrangements to support a good band - home life balance


Chinnor Silver

January 27 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (2nd) 11 am and we would welcome any players who would like to join us for a friendly,relaxed rehearsal.. All abilities are welcome with a liking for cake and coffee. Blowing with us doesnt impact your no1 band


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd