*
banner

New players give Darwen Area boost

A number of new players have given Darwen Brass a huge boost ahead of the North West Regional Championship in Blackpool.

Darwen Brass
 

Darwen Brass has announced a number of new signings as they look towards the Second Section North West Regional Championship in Blackpool at the end of the month.

New players

Kate Marney has joined on solo horn following the decision of Cat Haworth to take a break, whilst Iain Simpson comes in on second cornet and Leo Gebbie returns to the band following the completion of his university studies.

Chris Pickup joins the cornet section and Paul Atherton adds to the percussion team, with his son, Oliver linking up with the trombone section, although he will not be playing at the area contest.

Thanks

MD Steve Hartley told 4BR: "I would like to thank Cat for her valuable service and to give her our love and best wishes. She has shared our in success over the past nine years, and she will always be welcome back in the bandroom at any time."

I would also like welcome the new members and wish them all well as we continue to strive for quality music making on the contest and concert stageMD Steve Hartley

Quality

He added: "I would also like welcome the new members and wish them all well as we continue to strive for quality music making on the contest and concert stage.

We were pleased with our top six finish at Butlins, and we are now all looking forward to Blackpool."

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    


the cooperation band

World Cup preview for the cooperation band

July 4 • Scotland is still in the draw for the brass band version of the World Cup — and you can hear how they are putting the final preparations in place ahead of Kerkrade.


Tredegar Carys

Essence of Tredegar enjoyed by young euph player

July 4 • 19 year old Carys Rycroft recently enjoyed her prize of a solo spotlight at a rehearsal with Tredegar Band.


Van den berg

Soli connection to come to an end

July 4 • The musical partnership between Anne Van den Berg and Soli Brass will come to an end after this year's Dutch National Championships.


wOOLSTON bRASS

Woolston Band on the rise again

July 4 • New Zealand's most successful band is getting ever closer to putting the final touches to its future home.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Thursday 2 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Air Force Squadronaires

Friday 3 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Brass - Living Lines

Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 5 July • St Alfege Church . Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ


Regent Brass - Brass on the Grass

Wednesday 22 July • The College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA


Cross Keys Silver Band

July 2 • Solo Euphonium - With an array of concerts, contests and community engagements lined up for the remainder of 2026, we're looking to fill our Solo Euphonium seat. If you're the strong player that we're interested in, please get in touch.


Cross Keys Silver Band

July 2 • Solo Horn - We're looking to recruit a new Solo Horn player to help shape the section in our 2nd section band in South Wales. We have an array of concerts, contests and community engagements lined up for the remainder of 2026.


Crewe Brass

July 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Derek Renshaw

ABBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd