*
banner

Line ups announced for Spring Festival

The full list of competing bands and their conductors has been announced by the British Open organisers for the 94th Spring Festival.

British Open scuplture
 

The list of runners and riders who will take part in the 94th British Open Spring Festival at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Saturday 26th April have been announced.

Tickets will be available on the day with adults £12.00 and concessions £7.00.

Judges

The adjudicating team comprises: Derek Broadbent, Dr. Robert Childs, David Horsfield, Mike Kilroy, Allan Ramsay and David Read MBE.

Bands are reminded the contests are organised in accordance with the rules of the British Open Brass Band Championship.

For further information go to: www.thebritishopen.net


Bands are reminded the contests are organised in accordance with the rules of the British Open Brass Band Championship4BR

The Grand Shield:
Opera House
Test Piece: On Alderley Edge (Peter Graham)

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

First Half Draw: 9.30am
Start: 10.30am

Aldbourne (David Johnson)
Burry Port (Nigel Seaman)
Co-operative Funeralcare Band North West (Jef Sparkes)
East Yorkshire Motor Services (Alan Morrison)
Flowers (Paul Holland)
Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths)
Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea)
Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams)
Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley)
Northop Silver (Thomas Wyss)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Stig Maersk)
Redbridge (Alan Duguid)
Reg Vardy (Stephen Roberts)
Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
Thoresby Colliery (Brian Grant)
Tongwynlais Temperance (Steve Sykes)
Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (David Hirst)
Whitburn (Ian Porthouse)
Woodfalls (Dr Nicholas Childs)
Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (Mark Bentham)

The Senior Cup:
Pavilion Theatre
Test Piece: English Heritage (George Lloyd)

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

First Half Draw: 9.00am
Start: 10.00am

Ashton under Lyne (Philip Chalk)
Aveley & Newham (Melvin White)
Blackburn & Darwen (Huw Thomas)
Bo’ness & Carriden (Bryan Allan)
Camborne Town (John Berryman)
Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
Felling (Stephen Malcolm)
Fishburn (Joseph Cook)
Kingdom Brass (TBA)
Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Ernest Ruddock)
Mount Charles (Tom Davoren)
NASUWT Riverside Brass (Ray Farr)
Newtongrange (Lee Skipsey)
Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles)
Skelmanthorpe (Martin Hall)
Staffordshire (Leigh Baker)
Tylorstown (Gary Davies)
Wakefield Metropolitan (Michael Howley)
Wingates (Paul Andrews)


The Senior Trophy:
Spanish Hall
Test Piece: Les Francs Juges (Hector Berlioz, arr. Frank Wright)

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

First Half Draw: 10.15am
Start: 11.15am

Bournemouth Concert Brass (Major David Barringer)
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Gareth Ritter)
Dalmellington (Richard Evans)
Drighlington (Jim Davies)
Easington Colliery (Chris Bentham)
Freckleton (Paul Dalton)
Friary Guildford (Chris King)
Hatfield Colliery (Stan Lippeatt)
Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (John Ward)
Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson)
Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan)
Lochgelly (TBA)
Longridge (Mark Peacock)
Medway (Melvin White)
Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
Regent Brass (Paul Archibald)
Spal Automotive Sovereign Brass (David Maplestone)
St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson)

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    


Scotland

Scottish banding battles for success

June 1 • A recent article in one of Scotland's leading newspapers has highlighted both the successes and challenges faced by its banding organisations.


Cross

Death of David Banwell

June 1 • The death has been announced of David Banwell, the widely respected former player, conductor and member of the 4BR team.


Whit Friday

Whitsuntide celebration on Radio 4

May 31 • The celebration of Whitsuntide in Saddleworth has been marked on Radio 4 — accompanied by brass band music


Saddleworth

Report & Results: 2026 Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday

May 31 • The official results from each venue have now been announced with confirmation that Brighouse & Rastrick are crowned champions as Milnrow take local honours and Tewit Silver Youth take the youth prize.


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Dobcross Silver Band - Unite the Union Band

Sunday 31 May • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Ithaca Brass

Tuesday 2 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Fulham Brass Band - Summer Concert

Friday 5 June • St Dionis Church, Parsons Green SW6 4UH


Yorkshire Imperial - Roger Webster & The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir

Saturday 6 June • St George's Hall, Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1JT


East London Brass

June 1 • Solo Cornet : fresh off the back of our promotion to the Grand Shield, ELB are on the look out for a solo cornet player to complement our existing section. The band is ambitious and has an exciting second half of the year ahead.


Tintwistle Band

May 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for front row cornet players to help complete our team. . We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, under the baton of MD Jim Henson, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Chinnor Silver

May 28 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meets again on Monday(1st) at 11am and we welcome players of all abilities to come along and join us in a relaxed and friendly rehearsal.. What is not to like = wont effect your no1 band ,its free and with coffee and cake


Morgan Griffiths

Dip. Performance
Conductor, Peripatetic Music Teacher, Lower brass specialist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd