*
banner

North East duo join forces for charity fund raiser

After the Area battle in Durham this weekend, NASUWT Riverside and Fishburn will join forces for a great brace of charitable causes.

NASUWT
  The concert will be led by Dr David Thornton

Two of the North East's premier bands will put competitive rivalry aside on 1st April to join forces to help raise funds for the Diabetes UK and Headway charities.

Before then NASUWT Riverside and Fishburn Band will of course lock horns in their respective bids to be crowned North of England Regional Champion on the weekend in Durham, but will soon after take to the stage to help in a battle of a different kind with their joint funds raising efforts.

Time and place

Supported by the Geneva Group and Banks Group, it will be led by Dr David Thornton on Friday 1st April (7.30pm) at Elvet Methodist Church in Durham. Each band will present their own entertainment set before joining together for a massed bands finale.

NASUWT Riverside will perform music from their popular 2021 Brass in Concert performance, whilst Fishburn Band will be joined by guest soloist, Brett Baker, principal trombone of Black Dyke Band.

The concert has been organised by Phillip Tait and Abi Groocock, whose families have been hugely grateful for the support given to them by the two charities over the past year or so.

It's great to be able to put an event like this on to raise some money for these wonderful charities who have done so much to help families like ours with their workAbi Groocock

Wonderful charities

Abi told 4BR: "It's great to be able to put an event like this on to raise some money for these wonderful charities who have done so much to help families like ours with their work.

It should be a fantastic evening and we hope to see plenty of friendly faces there."

Tickets for the concert are £5 each or £3 for concessions.

Contact: Abi (07736 833468) or Phill (07740 546643)

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 youth to get generational boost of confidence

December 31 • The Next Generation of players from bands in the four counties of Yorkshire will be able to gain inspiration from Black Dyke Band star players.


Essence of Time

Nearly time to capture some of Tredegar's essence

December 30 • There is still time to win a workshop with Martyn Brabbins, Peter Moore, Gavin Higgins, Ian Porthouse, Dewi Griffiths, Sion Jones and more...


Roger

Webster and Rushworth to help life-long friend

December 30 • Roger Webster and Billy Rushworth will join forces with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band to help raise urgent funds for the cancer treatment of a former colleague.


unibrass

UniBrass CompComp26 reveals shortlist

December 30 • Four young composers will look to be crowned 2026 UniBrass Composition Competition winner.


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


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Welwyn Garden City Band

December 30 • 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.. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Oxted Band

December 30 • As we go into 2026, the band's 125th anniversary, we are seeking CORNET and TROMBONE players to fill our line-up. We are friendly and ambitious band with a wide variety of engagements, including three major concerts each year - check them out on YouTube.


Cambrian Brass

December 30 • We are a friendly, hard-working and inclusive brass band, and everyone is welcome. We currently have specific vacancies for Soprano Cornet, Solo Cornet, Flugelhorn and EEb Bass, but interest from players on any instrument is always very welcome.


Alan Fernie

DRSAM, Dip.NCOS
Arranger, composer, adjudicator, conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd