*
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    


Thoresby

Result: 2026 Wetherby March & Hymn Tune

June 15 • Thoresby Colliery takes 'The Drovers' march and hymn tune honours in Wetherby.


Newstead

Result: 2026 East Midlands March & Hymn Tune Contest

June 15 • Newstead Brass lead the march and hymn way to victory at a sunny Harborough.


wITHINGTON

Withington bows out with a Russian flourish

June 15 • The musical partnership between Allan Withington and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band came to an end in France with a memorable musical flourish.


Alison Childs

Dedicated Childs services marked by Black Dyke Band

June 15 • The recent Black Dyke Brass Festival marked the retirement of administrator Alison Childs.


Regent Hall Concerts - Take 5 Brass Quintet

Friday 12 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Celebrating the Music of Malcolm Bennett

Sunday 14 June • Venue-Mark Village Hall, Vole Road, Mark-TA9 4NY. . TA9 4NY


Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band

Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Cambrian Brass

June 14 • We are always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining our friendly, supportive band - whether you are returning to banding, looking for a new challenge, or moving to Aberystwyth for university.


Chinnor Silver

June 13 • We are looking for a Bb TUBA player to join our friendly,enthusiastic,progressive 1st section band.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday and held in our own bandroom.. We have a varied but realistic calendar planned with possible overseas trip in 2027


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

June 12 • Cleethorpes Band are seeking a Musical Director


Sandy Smith


Conductor, teacher, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd