*
banner

Welsh Open adds Spring Festival link to Porthcawl attractions

There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs at the Welsh Open next February — including a chance to qualify for the British Open Spring Festival

Welsh Open
  There are plenty of added prize attractions at the Welsh Open in 2018.

The 2018 contesting season in Wales will kick off on Saturday 17th February with a cross border battle at the Welsh Open Entertainment Contest in Porthcawl.

The contest at the seaside town's famous Grand Pavilion has grown in popularity since its inception in 1998, and attracts a packed audience who enjoy the competition between bands from both sides of the River Severn.

Spring Festival

With a top prize of £1,000, a host of other awards, including the magnificent CISWO Challenge Trophy and an invitation to the British Open Spring Festival to their highest placed qualifying band, there is sure to be plenty to play for.

The field is already filling up with a number of Welsh bands locking horns with contenders from London & Southern Counties, the Midlands and West of England.

The field is already filling up with a number of Welsh bands locking horns with contenders from London & Southern Counties, the Midlands and West of England4BR

Entries

The contest is open to all nationally graded Championship and First Section bands, with the defending champion Tongwynlais Temperance out to reclaim the trophy following its 2017 success.

Schedules and entry forms are now available from contest organiser, Dean Evans at: contestcontroller.welshopen@gmail.com

The closing date for entries Saturday 6th January.

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    


Fleetwood

Fleetwood back on demand

May 1 • You can enjoy all 32 performances from the recent Fleetwood Contest on demand


British Open

Live stream broadcast from Spring Festival

May 1 • All the action from the 104th British Open Spring Festival is to be live-stream broadcast this weekend.


Brass in Concert

Brass in Concert draws confirmed

May 1 • The draws for the 2026 Brass in Concert and Youth Brass in Concert Championships have been confirmed after being made in Linz.


Spring Festival

Final preparations in place for Spring Festival

April 30 • Bands and organisers are putting the final parts in place ahead of the Spring Festival in Birmingham.


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Tintwistle Band

April 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and 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, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 23 • Cleethorpes Band are seeking a Musical Director. The band rehearse on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the North of England 4th section contest. We are a registered charity and have a thriving training band.


Leicestershire Co-op Band

April 23 • SOLO HORN Vacancy. The Leicestershire Co-op Band (2nd Section National Finalists & 1st Section from 2027) have a vacancy for Solo Horn. We are an ambitious band with a healthy balance of contests and concerts, always striving for high musical standards.


Michael Bennett

BSc, RNCM (Perf)
Performer, Composer, Arranger, Teacher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd