*
banner

Bands in the FT

An article on Hammonds Saltaire and the Yorkshire Regional Championships is set to appear in the Financial Times magazine this Saturday by award winning journalist Matthew Engel.

Sy George's Hall
 

Hot on the heels of articles in the 'Times', editorials in the 'Guardian' and even a television programme on BBC2, there is yet more national press coverage to come – and in the 'FT' newspaper no less.

Respected

A feature article will appear in the 'Financial Times' Saturday magazine this weekend, written by one of the UK’s most respected journalists, Matthew Engel.

Matthew came to the Yorkshire Regional Championships after the FT photographer, Lorne Campbell, told him about the event and the story behind the rebranded Hammonds Saltaire Band. Matthew writes regular features in the magazine about stories that interest him, bringing a flavour of the places and people he meets.

I thought they played really well and following 4BR on Twitter, it seemed others, like yourself, liked their performance tooMatthew Engel

Award winner

The former editor of the world famous cricketing 'Wisden Almanack' and award winning journalist on the Guardian and Observer newspapers, took the opportunity to come up from his Herefordshire home and spend Saturday following Hammonds as they prepared to play in the First Section contest.

Warm welcome

4BR caught up with him on Tuesday, and as he explained, he found the whole event both exhilarating as well as a touch bewildering too.

"I had a lovely welcome from the band when I came to see them before the contest, and was rooting for them as they took to the stage. I thought they played really well and following 4BR on Twitter, it seemed others, like yourself, liked their performance too."

The result

So what did he think of the result?

"I’m not qualified to judge, but I did find it a touch bewildering and felt so sorry for the band after they put in so much effort," he said. "The whole contest experience was so fascinating and enjoyable though, and I hope the article will bring that over."

So is he a brass band fan? Mathew added: "Certainly, and I hope to follow up on the story some time in the future. It was a wonderful event, with great people and was very interesting."

The article should appear in the Financial Times magazine this Saturday.

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    


Mike Kilroy

Kilroy steps back from BBE role to follow health treatment

September 7 • Mike Kilroy will take a temporary step down as Chairperson of Brass Bands England to undergo treatment for prostate cancer.


Music of the Spheres

Check out the Spheres before Symphony Hall

September 7 • The countdown to the British Open sees the competing bands previewing their final preparations on 'Music of the Spheres' — so why not pop along and see how they are getting on.


Money

British Open Countdown: T minus 5

September 7 • Glory and cash. One is priceless, the other pays the bills... but how much are they worth?


Murray Greig

Greig's to deliver in Leicester for free

September 7 • There is a free day of brass for young players to enjoy under the expert tuition of Murray Grieg this weekend — so make sure you sign up to enjoy.


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the 2026 British Open

Tuesday 8 September • Ossett Town Hall, Market Place, Ossett WF5 8BE


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Barnsley Brass

September 6 • We are looking to recruit a Flugel Horn and Back Row Cornet players. We are based in Worsbrough Bridge by the A61 south of Barnsley. S70 5LJ. Rehearsals are Mondays / Thursdays at 8pm in our purpose-built band room..


Enderby Band

September 5 • Championship section band seeking CORNETS (positions negotiable), Eb BASS, and PERCUSSIONISTS to join our committed, hard-working and friendly team, performing a balanced diary of concerts and contests.


Harrogate Band

September 4 • The Harrogate Band are looking for a 1st Baritone and Soprano player to complete our team. Forward thinking and exciting band with a wide range of engagements and contests. Rehearsals are Wednesday 8pm in our own bandroom with great transport links.


James Garlick

BMus (Hons), QTS
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Tutor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd