*
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    


Civic Hall

Result: 2026 Midlands Regional Championships Second Section

March 15 • Harborough Band claims the last Midlands title on offer for this year as they are joined in York by Leicestershire Co-op.


markham

Results: 2026 Welsh Regional Championships

March 14 • Cory reclaims the Welsh title as Parc & Dare, Markham & District, City of Cardiff (M2) and Gwaun Cae Gurwen claim section honours.


Pendennis

Results: 2026 West of England Regional Championships

March 14 • Flowers reclaim Area title with section wins for Lympstone, Lanner & District, St Pinnock and Pendennis Brass in Torquay


Shine

Ready to shine? NYBBGB offer audition skills workshops

March 14 • There are a trio of FREE audition skills workshops on offer from the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain to help young player's skills sets.


Regent Hall Concerts - Slide Effect Trombone Quartet

Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Welsh Guards Band Septet

Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Enderby Band - Around the World in 80 Minutes

Friday 20 March • Wycliffe Rooms, George St, Lutterworth LE17 4ED


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Longridge Band - Spring Concert

Saturday 21 March • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 15 • We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Following our 4th place at the North West regionals, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET player (position negotiable). We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 15 • We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester.. . . Following our 4th place at the North West regionals, we are looking for a BBb BASS player.. . . We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.


Linthwaite Band

March 14 • We are a welcoming 4th section contesting Band with a vacancy for a kit player. Our calendar is filling up with various contests and engagements to fulfil through the year.


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd