*
banner

Wire back in the banding blood

The popular Brass at the Guild event will move to a new venue in 2020 as it heads to the Parr Hall and Pyramid in Warrington.

Parr Hall
  Parr Hall will host the new Brass in the Wire competition

The popular Brass at the Guild contest will now become 'Brass in the Wire' following the decision to relocate the competition to a new venue in 2020.

Due to the uncertainty over the Preston Guild Hall, Lancashire Contests have moved quickly to secure the future of an event at Parr Hall and Pyramid in Warrington (WA1 1BL) on Sunday 26th January. It will also include the British Open Youth in the Wire contest.

The event continues to enjoy generous support from R. Banks & Son (Funerals Ltd) under proprietor Brian Halliwell.

Return

It also marks a return to the venue that hosted the contest in 1983 and 1984, with the event continuing to provide bands with an ideal opportunity to test their early season form.

Bands can choose either to perform the Regional test-pieces or the Butlins Mineworkers set-works.

New initiative

A new initiative in 2020 will see the Championship and First Section events combined — although separate pries will be given to the 'Highest Placed' bands in each section. Qualification to the British Open Spring Festival remains the same.

Bands entering the joint section will have a choice of using either the Championship or First Section Area or Butlins test-pieces.

It also marks a return to the venue that hosted the contest in 1983 and 1984, with the event continuing to provide bands with an ideal opportunity to test their early season form4BR

Further information

Further information and details about the event will be released in due course.

Any enquiries should be directed to frankhodges@btinternet.com
Tel: 01942 212418
Mobile: 0793056276

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    


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


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


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


Andreas Kratz

Mus.B (hons)
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd