*
banner

Pundits, Punters and Judges

Just how did 4BR's opinion and Steven Mead's Judging Criteria experiment pan out against the official result then...

Symphony Hall
 

Those of you wondering just how the Judging Criteria experiment panned out against the punters views of 4BR and the official adjudicators the box — these are the final results.

Official Result:

1. Tredegar
2. Fairey (Geneva)
3. Black Dyke
4. Fodens
5. Cory
6. Rothwell Temperance
7. Desford Colliery
8. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
9. Grimethorpe Colliery
10. Brighouse and Rastrick
11. Co-operative Funeralcare
12. Leyland
13. Virtuosi GUS
14. Tongwynlais Temperance
15. Hepworth (Cookson Homes)
16. Whitburn
17. Kirkintilloch


4BR’s punters view:

1. Black Dyke
2. Fairey (Geneva)
3. Foden's
4. Cory
5. Grimethorpe
6. Brighouse
7. Tredegar
8. Desford
9. Rothwell
10. Leyland
11. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
12. Kirkintilloch
13. Virtuosi GUS
14. Tongwynlais Temperance
15. Whitburn
16. Hepworth (Cookson Homes)
17. Co-operative Funeralcare


Steven Mead’s Judging Criteria Experiment:

1. Black Dyke
2. Cory
3. Foden's
4. Fairey (Geneva)
5. Grimethorpe
6. Brighouse
7. Tredegar
8. Rothwell
9. Leyland
10. Desford
11. Carlton Main Frickley
12. Kirkintilloch
13. Virtusoi GUS
14. Tongwynlais Temperance
15. Whitburn
16. Co-operative Funeralcare
17. Hepworth (Cookson Homes)

What does it all mean…

4BR Editor Iwan Fox gave his usual observations on the performances in our live coverage throughout the day and opted for Black Dyke as his winner (the fourth time he has done so this season and the fourth time it has seemingly jinxed their chances of victory!), whilst placing eventual winners Tredegar in seventh.

Meanwhile, Steven Mead also had Black Dyke to win with Tredegar in seventh place, although there was some difference between the separate pundits when it came to other placings.

Agreement

4BR ended up agreeing with the three men in the box of Nigel Boddice MBE, William Relton and Ronald Holz in respect to Fairey (Geneva) in second place, Virtuosi GUS in 13th and Tongwynlais in 14th, whilst Steven also saw agreement with Virtuosi GUS and Tongwynlais.

4BR and Steven agreed on Black Dyke, Fodens, Grimethorpe, Tredegar, Carlton Main, Kirkintilloch, Virtuosi GUS, Tongwynlais Temperance and Whitburn – and we didn’t confer – honest!

Both Steven and Iwan had four of the top six but not in the same order as the judges, and nine of the top 10 but in a different order.

More coverage

So what does it all mean then?

4BR will be looking in more depth in the next few days…

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    


Thonrotn and Raisbeck

Iles and Mortimer Medal honours for Thornton and Raisbeck

February 14 • David Thornton and Ian Raisbeck are the recipients of the 2026 Iles Medal and Mortimer Medal.


RBC

Brass Band Day at RBC

February 13 • Spend Valentine's Day exploring your love of brass at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire — alongside Thomas Fountain, Ian Porthouse, Eric Ball and Gordon Langford.


rncm

BBC Radio 3 to feature RNCM Festival highlights

February 13 • Performances from Black Dyke, Foden's and Cory are to be featured on BBC Radio 3.


Durham Miners

Fishburn offer musical solidarity for Big Meeting

February 13 • RMT Fishburn Band will support the fund raising efforts of the famous Durham Miners Gala.


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


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 1 March • St. Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Cambrian Brass

February 11 • We are an inclusive and hard-working brass band seeking a Percussionist on a project basis to join us for the Welsh Regional Brass Band Championships on Saturday 14 March. This is a great opportunity to perform as part of a focused and supportive team.


Cambrian Brass

February 11 • We are a friendly, inclusive and hard-working brass band, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. We are particularly keen to fill our Soprano Cornet, Flugelhorn and EEb Bass positions.


Thornton Cleveleys Band

February 10 • MD POSITION AVAILABLE AFTER NW AREA CONTEST.. A full and happy band awaits. Currently 3rd section. Confirmed entry to Fleetwood Contest. . Based in the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde area.


Chris King

MBA, BMus(Hons), LRSM, AoBBA
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator, Compere, Band Trainer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd