*
banner

North West Area line-ups announced

The list of bands and judges have been confirmed for the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool in February.

Blackpool
  The contest takes place at Blackpool's Winter Gardens

The schedules, line-ups and adjudication panels for 2025 North West Regional Championships have been announced.

The event takes place at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Sunday 23rd February and has attracted 75 entries in its five sections.

Qualifiers

12 bands will compete in the Championship Section, with two bands, plus defending champion Foden's (pre-qualified) representing the region at the Royal Albert Hall in October. They will be adjudicated by Dr Robert Childs and Andrea Price.

17 bands will compete in the First Section where 3 bands will make it through to Cheltenham courtesy of Leigh Baker and Anne Crookston. Three bands will also qualify in the Second Section by impressing Martin Heartfield and Stan Lippeatt.

The Spanish Hall is being used this year to host the Third Section where three bands will make it to the National Final by catching the ears of Nicholas Garman and Andrew Warriner. Two bands will qualify in the Fourth Section courtesy of adjudicators, Andrea Price and Gavin Saynor.

Championship Section:

Opera House
Commencing: 2.45pm
Draw: 1.45pm
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs and Andrea Price

1. Acceler8 (Jef Sparkes)
2. Boarshurst Silver (Jamie Prophet)
3. Foden's (Russell Gray)
4. KNDS Fairey (Phil Chalk)
5. Leyland (Daniel Brooks)
6. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
7. Milnrow (Chris Binns)
8. Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins)
9. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ryan Watkins)
10. Rainford (Sarah Groarke-Booth)
11. Wardle Anderson Brass (Brad McCulloch)
12. Wingates (Matt Ryan)

First Section:

Pavilion Theatre
Commencing: 11.00am
Draw 1: 10.00am
Draw 2: Noon
Adjudicators: Leigh Baker and Anne Crookston

1. Ashton under Lyne (Paul Lovatt Cooper)
2. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas)
3. Diggle (Sean Conway)
4. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
5. Flixton (Adie Smith)
6. Freckleton (Adam D. J. Taylor)
7. Haydock (Mark Quinn)
8. Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
9. Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE)
10. Mossley (Duncan Byers)
11. Pemberton Old Wigan DW B (Ryan Breen)
12. Roberts Bakery (Mike Jones)
13. Silk Brass (Tony Wyatt)
14. Skelmersdale (Benjamin Coulson)
15. Tyldesley (Neil Samuel)
16. Valley Brass (Haydock) (David Chadwick)
17. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Mike Golding)

Second Section:

Opera House
Commencing: 9.30am
Draw 1: 8.30am
Draw 2: 10.30am
Adjudicators: Martin Heartfield and Stan Lippeatt

1. Allerton Brass (Jamie Duncan)
2. Besses Boys (James Holt)
3. Bollington Brass (Craig Mann)
4. City of Chester Bluecoat (Ewan Easton)
5. Delph (Phil Goodwin)
6. Eagley (Christopher Wormald)
7. Golborne Brass (Les Webb)
8. Haslingden & Helmshore (Kevin Gibbs)
9. Hawk Green (Neil Hewson)
10. Liverpool (David McGlynn)
11. Lostock Hall Memorial (John Atkinson)
12. Marple (Nick Birch)
13. Middleton (Jamie Cooper)
14. Morecambe (Andrew W. Porter)
15. Old Hall Brass (Trevor Halliwell)
16. Poulton-le-Fylde (Brett Baker)
17. Uppermill (James Garlick)
18. VBS Poynton (Tom Hillary)

Third Section:


Spanish Hall
Commencing: 2.15pm
Draw: 1.15pm
Adjudicators: Nicholas Garman and Andrew Warriner

1. Besses o'th' Barn (Phil Shaw)
2. Blackpool Brass (TBC)
3. Clock Face Miners Heritage (Will Haw)
4. Dobcross Silver (Jason M. Smith)
5. Eccleston Brass (John Wood)
6. Farnworth & Walkden (S. Jones)
7. Goodshaw (BMP Europe) (Dean Redfern)
8. Hoover Bolton (Joe Murtagh)
9. Pilling Jubilee Silver (Joshua Hughes)
10. Rivington & Adlington (Malcolm Wilson)
11. Rode Hall Silver (Ken Mackintosh)
12. Sale Brass (Andrew Mallon)
13. Stalybridge Old (Nigel Lawless)
14. Thornton Cleveleys (Steve Tarry)
15. Trinity Girls (Craig Mann)

Fourth Section:

Spanish Hall
Commencing: 9.45am
Draw: 8.45am
Adjudicators: Andrea Price and Gavin Saynor

1. Blackley (Karl Stott)
2. Brindle (Stephen Hartley)
3. Cadishead Public (David Holland)
4. Crewe Brass (Adam Shilton)
5. Darwen Brass (Matt Balson)
6. Dobcross Youth (James Atkins)
7. Littleborough (Ash Higgins)
8. Onchan Silver (David Karran)
9. Manx Youth Band (Ian Clague MBE)
10. Ramsey Town (Huw Thomas)
11. Red Admiral Brass (Stuart Barton)
12. St. John's Mossley (Ben Hill-Wilson)
13. Stacksteads (Matthew Speight)

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    


Fodens

Foden's regional reach out for 2026

September 17 • If you want some of the Foden's Area Championship winning formula to rub off on you, then why not sign up for some early test-piece prep.


Brighouse

Brighouse principal is lead off for Banding Together

September 17 • In a new PR profile initiative for the event, Tom Smith talks about his link to the National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall.


Norway

Concerto test for Norwegian elite

September 17 • Flavours of Rumba, Ravel and riotous ostriches courtesy of Derek Bourgeois will test the Elite Division contenders at the 2026 Norwegian National Championships.


National Championships

2026 Regional Championship test-piece announced

September 17 • Works by Martin Ellerby, Andrew Wainwright, Philip Harper, Gordon Langford and Eric Ball will test bands in their qualification bids for the Albert Hall and Cheltenham next year.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Sam Fisher

BA (Hons), PGCE, Dip.ABRSM
Conductor, Adjudicator (AoBBA), Composer/Arranger, Cornet & Flugelhorn Soloist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd