*
banner

Minor tweaks to Wychavon schedule

There have been a couple of amendments to the running orders and a change of adjudicator for the Wychavon Festival of Brass

Wychavon
  The Wychavon Festival of Brass takes place at the end of October

There have been some minor tweaks to the timetable for the forthcoming Wychavon Festival of Brass Championship which takes place on Saturday 29th October at the De Montfort School in Evesham.

British Open link

20 bands will take to the stage in the Championships Section to try and tickle the fancy of adjudicator Philip Harper with their entertainment programmes and lay claim to the £1000 first prize and Evesham Town Cup.

The contest's link to the British Open Championships will see the highest placed band not already qualified for the Spring Festival, gain an invitation to compete at the Senior Trophy in May.

Sections

The First Section (which will now be judged by Nicholas Garman due to temporary ill health of Brian Rostron) sees a field of 14 bands hoping to lay claim to the £750 first prize and Roger Spragg Festival Cup, whilst 12 now take to the stage in the Second Section with their eyes on securing the top prize of £500.

£400 and £300 top awards are on offer in the Third and Fourth Section which will run after each other and have attracted healthy fields of 13 and 7 competitors respectively.

Performance timing may vary throughout the day.

Draws:


Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Phillip Harper
Start: 9.30am

1. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith) — 9.30am
2. Newstead Brass* (David Holling) — 10.00am
3. Wantage Band (Paul Holland) — 10.30am
4. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Christopher Bond) — 11.00am
5. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas) — 11.30am
6. Amersham Band (Paul Fisher) — Noon
7. Milton Keynes Brass* (Jonathan Mott) — 12.30pm

Comfort Break

8. Johnstone Band* (Mark Good) — 1.30pm
9. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 2.00pm
10. Langley* (Cliff Parker) — 2.30pm
11. Lydbrook* (TBC) — 3.00pm
12. Kidlington Concert Brass* (Duncan Wilson) — 3.30pm
13. City of Bradford (Jonathan Bates) — 4.00pm
14. Jackfield* (Ryan Richards) — 4.30pm

Comfort Break

15. Tongwynlais Temperance (TBC) — 5.30pm
16. Ebbw Valley Brass* (Gareth Ritter) — 6.00pm
17. Filton Concert Brass (TBC) — 6.30pm
18. Hucknall & Linby MC Brass* (Paul Whyley) — 7.00pm
19. BTM (Jeff Hutcherson) — 7.30pm
20. Enderby (Stephen Phillips) — 8.00pm

* Eligible for Spring Festival qualification


First Section:

Adjudicator: Nicholas Garman
Start: 10.30am

1. Milton Keynes Brass (Jonathan Mott) — 10.30am
2. City of Bristol (Craig Roberts) — 11.00am
3. Hebdon Bridge (Christopher Binns) — 11.30am
4. Audley Brass (Tom Hancock) — Noon
5. Langley (Cliff Parker) — 12.30pm
6. Wantage Concert Brass (Neil Brownless) — 1.00pm
7. Regent Brass (Alan Duguid) — 1.30pm

Comfort Break

8. Bedworth Brass (Keith Leonard) — 2.30pm
9. Markham & District (Jayne Thomas) — 3.00pm
10. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter) — 3.30pm
11. Marsden Silver (Andrew Lofthouse) — 4.00pm
12. Haydock Band (Mark Quinn) — 4.30pm
13. BTM (Jeff Hutcherson) — 5.00pm
14. SPAL Sovereign Brass (Alan Gifford) — 5.30pm


Second Section:

Adjudicator: Steve Sykes
Start: 10.00am

1. Audley Brass (Tom Hancock) — 10.00am
2. Saint Sebastian Wokingham (John Watts) — 10.30am
3. Stourport Brass (Oliver Wilson) — 11.00am
4. Weston Brass (TBC) — 11.30am
5. Avonbank (Colin Herbert) — Noon
6. Ratby Cooperative Mid (Gary Perrin) — 12.30pm
7. BD1 Brass (Jonathan Bates) — 1.00pm

Comfort Break

8. Abertillery Town (Alun Williams) — 2.00pm
9. Downton Band (Paul Williams) — 2.30pm
10. Wantage Concert Brass (Neil Brownless) — 3.00pm
11. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Alex Parker) — 3.30pm
12. Harborough Band (Brad Turnbill) — 4.00pm


Third Section:

Adjudicator: James Holt
Start: 9.30am

1. Stourport (Oliver Wilson) — 9.30am
2. City of Birmingham (Saphran Ali) — 10.00am
3. Towcester Studio (Peter Wain) — 10.30pm
4. Ratby Cooperative Mid Band (Gary Perrin) — 11.00am
5. Ynyshir (Carol Flannary-Davies) — 11.30am
6. Cheltenham Silver (Adrian Jowett) — Noon
7. Regent Community Brass (Simon Tong) — 12.30pm

Comfort Break

8. Arrow Valley Brass (Ashley Buxton) — 1.30pm
9. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Alex Parker) — 2.00pm
10. Lyndley Town (Thomas Dunne) — 2.30pm
11. Ocean Brass (Andy Wareham) — 3.00pm
12. Cross Keys Silver (Sion Jones) — 3.30pm
13. Wem Jubilee (Cathy Rutherford) — 4.00pm


Fourth Section:

Adjudicator: James Holt
Following Third Section
Start: 5.30pm

1. Wantage Academy (Nikki Jones) — 5.30pm
2. Wem Jubilee (Cathy Rutherford) — 6.00pm
3. Cross Keys Silver (Sion Jones) — 6.30pm
4. Red Admiral Band (Stuart Barton) — 7.00pm
5. Blaenavon Town (Christian Jenkins) — 7.30pm
6. Putney & Wimbledon (Sam Topp) — 8.00pm
7. Malvern Hills District Brass (Chris License) — 8.30pm

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    


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


Saddleworth

Report & Results: 2026 Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday

May 31 • The official results from each venue have now been announced with confirmation that Brighouse & Rastrick are crowned champions as Milnrow take local honours and Tewit Silver Youth take the youth prize.


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


Cambrian Brass

June 1 • We are always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining our friendly, supportive band - whether you are returning to banding, looking for a new challenge, or moving to Aberystwyth for university.


East London Brass

June 1 • Solo Cornet : fresh off the back of our promotion to the Grand Shield, ELB are on the look out for a solo cornet player to complement our existing section. The band is ambitious and has an exciting second half of the year ahead.


Tintwistle Band

May 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for front row cornet players to help complete our team. . We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, under the baton of MD Jim Henson, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Alan Widdop


Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd