*
banner

Keen cross border challenge at Welsh Open

14 bands from as far afield as Yorkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cornwall and the home nation will battle it out for the Welsh Open title in Newport next month.

Welsj Open
  The Welsh Open takes place in Newport on February 17th

14 bands will compete at this year's Welsh Open Entertainment Championship, which will take place on Saturday 17th February at the Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre in Newport (11.00am start).

Bands will be competing not only to take home the magnificent CISWO Trophy and a first prize of £1,000, but also to gain the invitation that is on offer to compete at this year's British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool in May.

Cross border

The contest has attracted bands from both sides of the River Severn, with a warm welcome for English contenders Chapeltown Silver from Yorkshire, Forest Dean Brass and Lympstone from the West of England and MK Brass and Wantage Silver from London & Southern Counties.

The defending champion is Ebbw Valley Brass and the adjudicator will be Sheona White.

Tickets can be purchased on teh day.

Competing bands:


BTM Band
Chapeltown Silver Prize
City of Cardiff Melingriffith
Ebbw Valley Brass
Filton Concert Brass
Forest of Dean Brass
Llwydcoed
Lympstone Band
MK Brass
Parc & Dare
Pontardulais
Tongwynlais Temperance
Tylorstown
Wantage Silver

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    


Spring Festival

Run event reminder for Spring Festival

April 29 • Birmingham will be busy with runners on the Spring Festival weekend


Elgar Howarth

Howarth remembered

April 29 • The musical life and career of Elgar Howarth has been marked by a special programme on Radio 3.


Flowers

Media boost for Flowers after Linz triumph

April 29 • The Flowers Band are in media demand after being crowned European Champion — with a television spotlight tonight.


Saggers

Saggers writes for Portsmouth centenary celebration

April 29 • A new symphonic work for orchestra and 300 voices will help celebrate the centenary of Portsmouth's city status.


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Tintwistle Band

April 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and 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, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 23 • Cleethorpes Band are seeking a Musical Director. The band rehearse on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the North of England 4th section contest. We are a registered charity and have a thriving training band.


Leicestershire Co-op Band

April 23 • SOLO HORN Vacancy. The Leicestershire Co-op Band (2nd Section National Finalists & 1st Section from 2027) have a vacancy for Solo Horn. We are an ambitious band with a healthy balance of contests and concerts, always striving for high musical standards.


Sandy Smith


Conductor, teacher, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd