*
banner

Waiting for the National light to return...

Tuba player Sarah Billard plays her instrument on the hills near Hade Edge this weekend instead of at the Royal Albert Hall in London...

Billard
  Sarah Billard plays in the dusk light...

For the first time since returning to what has become its permanent home at the Royal Albert Hall in 1954, the National Championship of Great Britain will not take place this weekend.

Hiatus

World Wars were responsible for the hiatus of 1914-1919 and 1939-1944, but it is the first time that the event has not taken place outside these national emergencies.

Unfortunately the news has not garnered high profile national media attention, although hopefully the event's return in 2021 will be heralded by the type of coverage given to lottery funded pantomime shows.

Reflection

However, as always, well known press photographer Lorne Campbell has being doing his best to get brass bands into the national press and has taken this image of tuba player Sarah Billard in the hills near Hade Edge, Yorkshire to provide a reflection on the cancellation.

It has appeared both in the Yorkshire Post on Friday and Daily Telegraph today.

Sarah played with Hepworth Band as they qualified at the Yorkshire Regional Championships way back in March and has recently progressed to the final of the Foden's Over-18s Slow Melody contest.

Image courtesy of Lorne Campbell

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    


National Youth Championships

Judges announced for 2026 National Youth Championships

December 11 • Anna Wilby, Christopher Bond, Stephanie Kennedy, Lauren Chinn, Daniel Brooks and Ailsa Russell (above) will be making the decisions at the National Youth Championships next March.


Brass Matters

Podcast: Brass Matters — The Centre of Things Part 1

December 11 • Join John Wallace and friends as they discuss his latest musical project.


rules

Regional Championship borrowing rules confirmed

December 11 • Bands in Sections 1-4 will be able to borrow players to boost their chances of National Championship qualification.


Linz

rooms4groups has European Championship deals ready to go

December 11 • The hotel specialists have plenty of great deals for people heading to Linz for the European Championships next year.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Petworth Town Band

December 9 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with an inspirational MD Paula Streeter. Concerts are planned for next year and we would welcome you to join us


Welwyn Garden City Band

December 9 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an eye on the 2026 Areas. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS.


Flookburgh band

December 9 • Flookburgh Band Vacancy ........ Musical Director . . We are newly promoted to the Second Section and looking for an inspirational Musical Director to lead us forward!. Concerts: 5 main concerts per year + summer engagements . .


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd