*
banner

Smith double leads Brighouse awards

Principal cornet Tom Smith claims a double accolade for his playing with Brighouse & Rastrick Band as Yorkshire challengers look forward to 2025.

Tom Smith
  Tom Smith (above) and Ste Cavanagh were amongst the award winners on the night

Members and supporters of Brighouse & Rastrick Band recently got together to kick start their 2025 season with a look back at 2024 at their annual Awards Night.

The opportunity was taken to review a year of on and off stage achievements — including their return to the European Championships in Palanga and their memorable 150th annual concert performance, as well as their brilliant 'Zorro' Brass in Concert programme in Gateshead and more.

Wonderful evening

Writing on their Facebook page the band stated: "It was a wonderful evening, filled with laughter, leaving everyone with a renewed sense of camaraderie, and ready to tackle the coming year head on!

We are fortunate as an organisation to be surrounded by incredible players, a dedicated committee, and a wonderful team of supporters who keep us going year after year. It was fabulous to spend an evening honouring them all."

They added: "There were many other awards presented, and all the prizes given, were well deserved, and we couldn't be prouder of the band we have. Here's to a prosperous, and hopefully successful 2025!"

We are fortunate as an organisation to be surrounded by incredible players, a dedicated committee, and a wonderful team of supporters who keep us going year after year. It was fabulous to spend an evening honouring them allB&R

Double winner

The 'Player's Player' and 'Player of the Year' awards (chosen by MD Prof David King) went to Tom Smith in recognition of a 2024 in which he further cemented his reputation as one of the leading cornet players in the banding movement

Bandsman of the Year

The 'Bandsman of the Year' award went to Chairperson, Ste Cavanagh, recognising the vast amount of work he undertook throughout the year, and continues to do.

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    


4BR

4BR Review — Episode 23

October 10 • Join Iwan and Chris as they look back at how the 2026 National Championship title was won and lost at the Royal Albert Hall in London last weekend — and some of the questions that arose from it.


Gregson

Gregson set for Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance

October 10 • Edward Gregson's 'Symphony in Two Movements' is to be performed by the symphonic brass and percussion ensemble of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra later this year.


Navigation Inn

Time please — as Navigation Inn closes doors...

October 10 • The most famous brass band pub in the world has closed its doors — perhaps for the very last time.


Blackford

Orbital countdown for Tredegar

October 10 • The fourth of the commissioning bands will perform Richard Blackford's 'Orbital' in West Sussex later today as Tredegar get ready for lift off in Ardingly.


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Saturday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Autumn Concert

Saturday 10 October • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Garforth Brass - Annual Chairman's Charity Concert

Saturday 10 October • Miners Welfare Hall. 56 Main Street. Garforth . Leeds. LS25 1AA LS25 1AA


Bedford Town Band - Autumn Concert also featuring our Academy

Saturday 10 October • Putnoe Heights Church. Putnoe Heights. Bedford MK41 8EB


Regent Hall Concerts - Trafalgar Brass

Thursday 15 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Tintwistle Band

October 11 • We are looking for a repiano cornet player to help complete the team. We are a second section band and rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle. We perform a variety of concerts and contests all year round.


Epping Forest Band

October 8 • Euphonium and solo horn wanted to join our friendly sociable 2nd section band. Based in Essex with close links to the M11 and the underground central line. Instrument's provided of required


Bedford Town Band

October 8 • Bedford Town Band are looking to recruit a Solo trombone and Repiano cornet . We are playing at the Wychavon Contest in a few weeks and are looking to be in the frame at the 1st Section Regionals . Rehearsals Thursday 7.45 at Castle Newnham School.


John Durrant

MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)
Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd