*
banner

Friary supports Air Ambulance service

The festive carol playing of Friary Brass has helped keep a fantastic Air Ambulance service in the air.

Helicopter
  The service has helped save hundreds of lives

The Air Ambulance service that covers Kent, Surrey and Sussex has received a donation of £1,245 from Friary Brass, raised by the band from playing Christmas music at popular local venues over the festive period.

Thanks

Acknowledging the support, AAKSS Head of Community Fundraising, Nick Turrell said: "Our thanks got to Friary Brass. The generous donation helps us to provide a 24-hour emergency service, fund vital research into the development of better pre-hospital care and invest in the crucial maintenance of our fleet and all the life-saving equipment. Without the support we simply couldn't run this vital service."

Incredible service

In response, Friary's Chairman, Nigel Stevens added: "We thoroughly enjoy playing Christmas music, and the fact that we can help support this incredible service is a real bonus. We are so grateful to everyone who contributed to our collections."

Friary started supporting the Air Ambulance charity in 2009, little knowing that a mere four months later, one of the band's players would be airlifted to hospital after a serious mountain bike accident.

Thanks to their speedy intervention, he made a full recovery.

Image provided by Air Ambulance Service

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    


Herbert

Brass bands on the Telegraph lines

August 31 • The Daily Telegraph's review of Prof Trevor Herbert's new book on brass bands draws a positive future outlook from critic Ivan Hewett.


Insurance

T&R Direct Insurance Services: A guide to brass band insurance

August 31 • Loads of things all bands and players need to know about protecting instruments


Wobplay

Banding classics added to Wobplay

August 31 • A great trio of classic banding releases, a new podcast episode and the chance to look back at this year's Elgar International Festival.


Camborne

Camborne Brass look to raise funds after break-in vandalism

August 31 • A Crowdfunding page has been launched to help Camborne Brass after vandals broke into their bandhall and caused extensive damage.


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the 2026 British Open

Tuesday 8 September • Ossett Town Hall, Market Place, Ossett WF5 8BE


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Crewe Brass

September 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

September 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

September 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION PLAYERS (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Chris Wormald

B.Mus (Hons), LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, adjudicator, arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd