*
banner

Countdown to Bolsover

Brass bands get another worldwide broadcast boost in Bolsover this weekend.

Bolsover Fes
  The countdown is on for the Bolsover Festival contest

The Bolsover Festival of Brass contest will take place this weekend at Shirebrook Academy in Derbyshire, with the competitor' performances boosted in profile by being live-broadcast around the banding world.

Thanks to the support of headline sponsor Warwick Music Group and the excellent facilities provided on the Academy site, the bands will be able to provide plenty of great music making.

Bands will be putting their finishing touches to their performances this week, with Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas of 4BR and Brass Band World presenting the action over the two days, with interviews with performers and guests.

There will also be special gest as well as Denis Wick ambassador and euph star David Thornton giving a special recital performance.

Action

Saturday 1st October (noon start) sees the Fourth and Third Sections take place, followed on Sunday 2nd October (10.00am start) by the Second, First and Championship Sections, all with generous prize funds and with the connection for the leading qualifying band in the Championship Section to gain an invitation to the British Open Spring Festival.

Venue:


Shirebrook Academy
Common Lane
Shirebrook
Derbyshire
NG20 8QF

For further details go to: https://bolsoverfestivals.com/

Tickets are available on the day on the door and are £10 Adult and £8 Concessions (under 16 and over 60). Free entry for children under 5.

Saturday 1st October:
Fourth Section:

Theatre
Adjudicator: Nicholas Garman
Start: 12.00 noon
Results: 2.45pm approx

1. Whitwell (Rob Deakin) — 12.00 noon
2. Matlock (Chris Banks) — 12.30pm
3. Newark Town (Gary Wyatt) — 1.00pm
4. Syston Band (Colin Jones) — 1.30pm
5. Littleborough Brass (Ashley Higgins) — 2.00pm


Third Section:

Theatre
Adjudicator: Nicholas Garman
Start: 3.30pm
Results: 6.15pm approx

1. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Alan Widdop) — 3.30pm
2. Spennymoor Town (Fiona Casewell) — 4.00pm
3. Rode Hall Silver (Neil Butler) — 4.30pm
4. Bakewell Silver (Sarah Fellows) — 5.00pm
5. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (Sam Johnston) — 5.30pm


Sunday 2nd October:
Second Section:

Theatre
Adjudicator: David Hirst
Start: 10.00am
Results: 11.45am approx

1. Shirebrook Miners Welfare (Ben Hewlett-Davies) — 10.00am
2. City of Cambridge (Philip Fisher) — 10.30am
3. BD1 Brass (Jonathan Bates) — 11.00am


First Section:

Theatre
Adjudicator: Roger Webster
Start: 12.30pm
Results: 6.15pm

1. Old Silkstone (George Newbould) — 12.30pm
2. Stannington (Sam Fisher) — 1.00pm
3. Longridge (Mark Peacock) — 1.30pm
4. Silk Brass (Tony Wyatt) — 2.00pm
5. Chapeltown Silver (Colum O'Shea) — 2.30pm
6. Milton Keynes Brass (Jonathan Mott) — 3.00pm
7. SPAL Sovereign Brass (Alan Gifford) — 3.30pm
8. South Yorkshire Police (John Davis) — 4.00pm
9. Rolls Royce Derby (Graham Cardwell) — 4.30pm
10. Staffordshire (Craig Williams) — 5.00pm
11. York Railway Institute (David Lancaster) — 5.30pm


Championship Section:

Sports Hall
Adjudicator: Alan Morrison
Start: 10.00am
Results: Approx 5.45pm

1. Unite the Union (Jonathan Beatty) — 10.00am
2. Newstead Brass (David Holling) — 10.30am
3. Stannington (Sam Fisher) — 11.00am
4. Roberts Bakery (Paul Lovatt Cooper) — 11.30am
5. Enderby (Stephen Phillips) — Noon
6. Chapeltown Silver Band (Colum O'Shea) — 12.30am
7. Milton Keynes Brass (Jonathan Mott) — 1.00pm

Break

8. Wardle Anderson Brass (Brad McCulloch) — 2.00pm
9. South Yorkshire Police (John Davis) — 2.30pm
10. Staffordshire (Craig Williams) — 3.00pm
11. Derwent Brass (Jack Capstaff) — 3.30pm
12. Longridge (Mark Peacock) — 4.00pm
13. Brunel Brass (Daniel Hall) — 4.30pm
14. Skelmanthorpe (Martin Heartfield) — 5.00pm

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    


Blackford

Orbital set for publishing take-off

August 5 • The acclaimed major work from composer Richard Blackford will be available for bands to purchase from 4th September.


BBSS

BBSS delegates prepare for 40th anniversary concert

August 5 • Over 160 musicians from 12 countries will provide the 40th anniversary celebrations on the Brass Band Summer School course in Gloucestershire on Friday.


Fairlop Brass

Busy Fairlop help make brass on the grass pay

August 5 • Fairlop Brass has been busy providing entertainment for good causes and great people.


DOODLES

Don't be late to get prepared

August 5 • Doodles Mouthpiece replating services is reminding players to get that essential summer refurbishment done in time for the start of the second half of the contesting year.


Sherborne Town Band - Free Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park

Sunday 9 August • Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park BA14 8AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


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


Brunel Brass Organisation

August 5 • Brunel Brass is looking for a SOLO HORN to complete the band. Challenging for promotion to the Championship Section in 2027 and achieving our highest ever result at the British Open Senior Trophy in 2026, it's an exciting time to join the band!


Wantage Silver Band

August 5 • Wantage Band (Championship Section) are looking for a BACK ROW CORNET player to complete the band. As current Welsh Open Champions and being placed third in Stevenage, it's an exciting time to join the band with a fantastic schedule of concerts coming up.


Alder Valley Brass

August 4 • Alder Valley Brass, an ambitious, busy and sociable 2nd section band seek a BBb bass . We rehearse Mon & Thu 8-10pm in Farnham. New MD Ollie Hallstead-Brooks starts with us in September. Come and join the team!


Alan Widdop


Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd