*
banner

Bands ready for Pontins

69 bands will line up in Prestatyn later this month for the 36th Pontins Championships.

Pontins
 

Just a week after the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall, 69 competitors make the trip to Prestatyn to take part in the 36th Pontins Brass Band Championships.

Difficult

With test pieces selected by James Scott, the headline Harry & Margaret Mortimer Championship sees another Peter Graham work testing the best bands – and his very difficult ‘Montage’.

Defending champion Sovereign Brass will look to retain its title in a 16 band field and try and take home with them the £2,500 top prize once again.

Defending champion Sovereign Brass will look to retain its title in a 16 band field and try and take home with them the £2,500 top prize once again4BR

More Vinter

Bands wishing to take home the £1,800 top prize in the First Section will have to overcome yet more Gilbert Vinter. After the difficulties faced by the competing bands at Harrogate, this time it is his ‘Symphony of Marches’ that poses the questions.

The Second Section contenders will be faced with Kenneth Hesketh’s tricky ‘Danceries’, whilst the Third Section contenders will have a taste of Philip Harper’s enjoyable ‘Gallimaufry Suite’.

The Fourth Section will see a new work form a talented young composer, with Benjamin Tubb’s, ‘A Bournemouth Suite’.

Plenty to enjoy

The organisers have informed 4BR that the residents will enjoy a great weekend of entertainment featuring once again a concert performance by the British Army Band on Saturday evening and the regular appearance of the Bavarian Stompers amongst others.

Affordable weekend accommodation is still available with FREE Sunday night.

Please call 08445765949 quoting PBB9 to book.

Harry & Margaret Mortimer Championship
Sunday 25th October
Fun Factory Ballroom
Commencing: 10.00am
Test Piece: Montage (Peter Graham)
Adjudicators: David Horsfield & Alan Morrison

Ashton under Lyne (Martyn Evans)
Burry Port (Craig Roberts)
Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
Felling (Graeme Tindall)
Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford)
Kidlington Concert Brass (TBA)
Marsden Silver Prize (Glyn Williams)
NUSUWT Riverside (Ian Robinson)
Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts)
Sovereign Brass (Jason Glynn)
Staffordshire (Huw Thomas)
Stannington Brass (Derek Renshaw)
Tongwynlais Temperance (Phillip Harper)
Wantage Silver A (Philip Bailey)
Wire Brass (Paul Andrews)
Woodfalls (Melvin White)

First Section:
Saturday 24th October
Fun Factory Ballroom
Commencing: 10.00am
Test Piece: Symphony of Marches (Gilbert Vinter)
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Peter Roberts

Bedworth Brass (Guy Bennett)
Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Sheppard)
Brackley & District (Jason Glynn)
Chalford (Steve Tubb)
Drighlington (Colin Hardy)
Gresley Colliery (Stephen Shimwell)
Haverhill (Mark Ager)
Haydock (Mark Quinn)
Lindley (Jim Davies)
Longridge (Steve Tarry)
Old Silkstone (Chris Hirst)
Point of Ayr Colliery (John Hinkley)
Stocksbridge (David Holling)
Tyldesley (TBA)
Wakefield Metropolitan (Norman Law)


Second Section:
Sunday 25th October
Lunars Hall
Commencing: 9.00am
Test Piece: Danceries (Kenneth Hesketh)
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Peter Roberts

Barnsley Building Society (Rob Straw)
Deiniolen (Gavin Saynor)
Flixton (Alan Hobbins)
Haslington and Helmshore (David Holland)
Hoover Bolton (Trevor Halliwell)
Kippax (David Lancaster)
Littleport (Nigel Bramley)
Oddfellows Brass (Robert Boulter)
Oldham Lees (John Collins)
Rainford (Neil Samuel)
Rogerstone (Jamie Jones)
Silk Brass (Macclesfield) (James Cant)
Tintwistle (Peter Denton)
Tylorstown (Garry Davies)
United Co-op 2000 Brass (Jamie Meredith)
Verwood Concert Brass (David Johnson)


Third Section:
Saturday 24th October
Lunars Hall
Commences at end of Fourth Section: Approx 2.00pm
Test Piece: A Gallimaufry Suite (Philip Harper)
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson & Glyn Williams

BMP Europe Ltd, Goodshaw (Kevin Gibbs)
Boarhurst Silver (David Ashworth)
Chalgrove (Michael Pegram)
Crosskeys Silver (Keri Bowden)
Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins)
Greenall’s (K. Scott)
Hawk Green (Marple) (Andy Wilson)
Pemberton Old Wigan JJB ‘B’ (P. Ashley)
Porthywaen Silver (Mark Parry)
Skelmersdale Prize (John Ludden)
Uppermill (Alan Widdop)
Whitworth Vale & Healey (Jason M Smith)


Fourth Section:
Saturday 24th October
Lunars Hall
Commencing: 10.00am
Test Piece: A Bournemouth Suite (Benjamin Tubb)
Adjudicators: David Horsfield & Alan Morrison

Besses Boys (James Holt)
Blackley (Adrian Smith)
Croft Silver (Ian Needham)
Denton Brass (Graham Smith)
Eccles Borough (Les Webb)
Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley)
Greenfield (Stuart Black)
Golborne (Dave Houghton)
Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
Nelson Brass (Dave Holland)

Further information:

For further information please contact either of The Festivals Contest Controllers.

Colin Morrison
22 Rushdon Close, Grays, Essex, RM17 5QW
Telephone/Fax Number: (01375) 409807
E-mail: cm006c6149@blueyonder.co.uk

Frank Hodges
39, Broxton Avenue, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 8NP
Telephone: 01942 703217
Mobile: 07930 562 768
E-mail: frankhodges@bbbr.co.uk

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    


Brass Matters

Podcast: Brass Matters with John Wallace

October 26 • John Wallace in conversion with composer Errollyn Wallen — talking all things brass and brass bands.


Blackboard

Petition set up to protect Music Service provision in Dumfries & Galloway

October 26 • The provision of an instrumental music service is under potential threat in Scotland as a local authority looks to make budget cuts.


Bedworth

Midlands announces judges for 2026 Area Championships.

October 26 • The panel of judges tasked with picking the qualifiers in Bedworth next March have been announced.


Mouthpiece

Help required for embouchure research

October 26 • Brass players are being asked to help a study into identifying potential factors that contribute to embouchure-related health concerns.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Amersham Band

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Thaxted Church

Saturday 25 October • haxted Parish Church. Watling St, Thaxted CM6 2PE


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band VE & VJ Day Remembrance Concert

Saturday 25 October • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Regent Hall Concerts - Paddington Brass

Friday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


City of Norwich Brass

October 25 • We’re Recruiting!. Do you have the sound, passion, and presence to lead our trombone section?. We’re looking for a Solo Trombone to join our friendly and ambitious brass band.. We rehearse on Tuesday evenings at Hethersett Village Hall, Norwich, NR9 3JJ


Harlow Brass Band

October 25 • We have vacancies for CORNETS, TROMBONES, 2ND HORN AND PERCUSSION. We are a welcoming, non contesting band who organising their own Spring and Christmas concerts and enjoy playing at local events throughout the year.


Epping Forest Band

October 23 • We have a solo horn vacancy to join our friendly 3rd section band. We have a sensible calendar of contests and concerts. Situated with close links to the M11/M25 and Central line tube station, with our own band room. Rehearsals Monday night 8-10pm


Duncan A. Beckley

BA, MA
Conductor, adjudicator, band trainer and teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd