*
banner

12 bands set to battle for Welsh Open title

A dozen bands from both sides of the River Severn will head to Porthcawl for the Welsh Open in February.

Filton
  Filton Concert Band will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins in Porthcawl.

12 bands will compete for the 23rd Welsh Open Brass Band Entertainment Championship title on Saturday 15th February.

It has become the traditional competition opener of the contest season in Wales and attracts a packed audience to the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl.

Defending champion Filton Concert will be looking to make it a hat-trick of victories — and a fourth in the last five years to take the impressive CISWO Challenge Trophy back across the River Severn to Bristol.

Adjudicator

To do that they will have to impress adjudicator Paul Holland, whilst the separate entertainment prize will be judges by respected local brass band journalist, David Francis. The compere is the popular David Hayward.

The contest will be held at the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl, starting at 11.00am

Competing bands:

Brunel Brass (Daniel Hall)
BTM (Jeff Hutcherson)
Burry Port Town (Ceri John)
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Christopher Bond)
Enderby (Ryan Richards)
Filton Concert (Lewis Wilkinson)
Forest of Dean Brass (Stephen Sykes)
Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins)
Jackfield (David Maplestone)
Lewis Merthyr (Craig Roberts)
Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins)
Tylorstown (Gary Davies)

Tickets

Spectator tickets can be purchased either in advance or on the day in person from the Grand Pavilion Box Office on 01656 815995 or online at: https://grandpavilion.ticketsolve.com/shows

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    


Yorkshire

Yorkshire Committee issues Third Section statement

March 8 • The Yorkshire Regional Championship Committee has clarified the reason behind the delay in the announcement of the Third Section results in Huddersfield.


Market Rasen

Results: 2026 Midlands Regional Championships

March 7 • Area title success for GUS, Rushden Town, Market Rasen and Cubbington Silver Band in Bedworth.


Perth

Results: 2026 Scottish Championships

March 7 • Whitburn claim the domestic honours as Kirkintilloch Kelvin, Johnstone, Selkirk Silver and Bon-Accord B take section titles in Perth.


South Yorkshire Police

Report & Results: 2026 Yorkshire Regional Championships

March 7 • Area title success for Hepworth, South Yorkshire Police, Hatfield & Askern Colliery, Drighlington and Queensbury Music Centre on a weekend of memorable individual and collective excellence.


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Queen Victorias Consort

Friday 13 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


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


Rushden Town Band

March 8 • 2nd Trombone for Midlands Area First Section Champions 2026.


Glossop Old Band

March 7 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a principal cornet player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

March 6 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


Mark Wilkinson


Cornet Soloist, Teacher, Adjudicator, Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd