*
banner

Back dated trophies for Cory

Cory has finally got its hands on long awaited awards for being the world's number 1 ranked band.

Award
  4BR Editor Iwan Fox met up with Cory legend Gwyn Thomas to present the trophies

The Cory Band has received its awards from 4Barsrest for being the World's Number 1 Ranked Band.

4BR Editor Iwan Fox travelled to Treorchy to meet up with Cory legend Gwyn Thomas to finally present the delayed awards which are sponsored by Band Supplies and Hercules Stands.

Longest time

"I think this is the longest time Cory has had to wait for a first prize,"the Editor said. "We've been trying to get a presentation made but Covid-19 circumstances stopped us.

That said, when we finally got together we spent yet more time chatting over a cup of tea about old banding stories, so it turned into a great afternoon between two old soprano players!"

He added: "Although contesting was put on hold in 2020 and only just returned in 2021, it was appropriate and richly deserved that the band's number 1 ranking be once again acknowledged."

Proud

In response Gwyn said: "The Cory Band is very proud to be recognised as the world's leading brass band — a position that we have now held since 2007.

I know it means a great deal to the band and we are determined to hold onto the top spot for a long time to come."

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    


Chinnor

New direction at Chinnor

January 17 • Chris Andrews takes the baton alongside a trio of new signings as the band looks forward to making its First Section debut at Stevenage.


webster

Wonderful response to charity concert

January 17 • A concert to help raise funds for a young family man with a close connection to the old banding world has already gained a wonderful response of support.


Review

4BR Review — Episode 14

January 16 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is joined by Chris Thomas and special guest Dr David Thornton to preview the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester.


Finalists

Final beats made ahead of NYBBGB Conducting Final

January 16 • Ammal Bhatia, Megan Bousfield, Tommy Tynan and Joey Wong will head to Tidworth Garrison Theatre in Wiltshire with the aim to become the winner of the prestigious event supported by British Army Music.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


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


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Sarah Groarke-Booth

BA (Hons) MA
Conductor, Adjudicator, Compere, Actor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd