*
banner

New appointments at Milnrow

A trio of new players and a new move adds to Milnrow's Area confidence.

Milnrow
  The new signings will make their debuts at the North West Regional Championships

The Milnrow Band has welcomed a trio of new signings ahead of their performance at the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool this weekend.

New signings

Steve Ridler, Olli Atherton and Laura Whittaker join the ranks, whilst long serving player Donna Towse moves to a new solo seat.

Steve joins on solo baritone from the WFEL Fairey Band and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience having held principal seats with many of the UK's top bands as well as Brisbane Excelsior in Australia.

RNCM student Olli joins on bass trombone from Grimethorpe Colliery, whilst Laura joins the band on second cornet from Littleborough Band where she was principal cornet and still conducts their training band, Boro' Brass.

Regional debuts

Steve and Laura joined Milnrow towards the end of 2021 whilst Olli joined at the start of February.

Meanwhile, Donna has taken on the soprano cornet role. Donna has been a member of Milnrow for 20 years and has played on almost every seat in the cornet section plus flugel and solo horn.

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "Everyone is looking forward to contesting in Milnrow colours at the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool this weekend."

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    


Tameside

Results: 2026 Tameside Whit Friday

June 2 • Foden's retain their Whit Friday title with a Presidential flourish in Tameside.


Scotland

Scottish banding battles for success

June 1 • A recent article in one of Scotland's leading newspapers has highlighted both the successes and challenges faced by its banding organisations.


Cross

Death of David Banwell

June 1 • The death has been announced of David Banwell, the widely respected former player, conductor and member of the 4BR team.


Whit Friday

Whitsuntide celebration on Radio 4

May 31 • The celebration of Whitsuntide in Saddleworth has been marked on Radio 4 — accompanied by brass band music


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Dobcross Silver Band - Unite the Union Band

Sunday 31 May • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Ithaca Brass

Tuesday 2 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Fulham Brass Band - Summer Concert

Friday 5 June • St Dionis Church, Parsons Green SW6 4UH


Yorkshire Imperial - Roger Webster & The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir

Saturday 6 June • St George's Hall, Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1JT


Chinnor Silver

June 2 • We are looking for PERCUSSIONIST (kit/tuned) to join us in an exciting time for this 1st Section band.We rehearse on Wednesdays in our own bandroom (no setting up for each rehearsal)Good sensible book of concerts and contests possible foreign trip 2027.


Crewe Brass

June 2 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET player 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

June 2 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Eb BASS player 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.


Alan Duguid

BA (Hons), PGDipMus, PGCE
Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd