*
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    


Gareth Ritter

Former conductor sentenced for sexually assaulting 17 year old girl

November 4 • Gareth Ritter has been given a 33-month sentence, suspended for 30 months for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2015. He will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.


Brabbins

Childs and Brabbins to showcase Mealor Concerto

November 3 • Paul Mealor's 'Euphonium Concerto' is to be performed this Friday in Swansea by David Childs under the baton of Martyn Brabbins with the National Orchestra of Wales.


Maurice Andre

Saunas and butter — what made Andre the giant so great...

November 3 • If you ever wondered what the secret of Maurice Andre's success was — then an article from 1987 revealed all about his morning practice regime...


Prof Childs

Childs enjoys latest Japanese trip

November 3 • Black Dyke Band's Director of Music has just returned from his latest musical trip to Japan.


Dobcross Silver Band - Remembrance Concert

Sunday 8 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Band of the RAF Regiment Brass Ensemble

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


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver President's Concert

Friday 27 November • St George's Church, St Johns Avenue, Rugby CV22 5HR


West Yorkshire Police Band - Mid Yorkshire Breast Cancer Support

Saturday 28 November • Cluntergate Centre, Horbury WF4 5DA


Newstead Brass - The Snowman - Live

Saturday 5 December • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West, Forest Town. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Audley Brass

November 4 • Audley Brass are seeking a Solo Cornet/Repiano player as we continue to push for promotion to the Championship Section and qualification to the Spring Festival. We have a full events diary for 2027 including several epic beer festival nights.


Audley Brass

November 4 • Audley Brass are seeking a Bass Trombone player as we continue to push for promotion to the Championship Section and qualification to the Spring Festival. We have a full events diary for 2027 including several epic beer festival nights.


Tintwistle Band

November 4 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled! As a second section band, we rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom, under the baton of our new MD Tom Haslam.


Jenny Gartside

Bsc Hons
Jeweller, brass band themed jewellery and pin badges


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd