*
banner

Wonderful response to charity concert

A concert to help raise funds for a young family man with a close connection to the old banding world has already gained a wonderful response of support.

webster
  The fund halfway mark in the fund raising has already been reached.

Cornet star Roger Webster has told 4BR that there has been a wonderful response from the brass band community wishing to support a special concert that he and his great friend Billy Rushworth are hosting later this month.

The event hopes to raise essential funds for the Glioblastoma Charity, supporting the family of former Carlton Main Frickley Colliery player David Hirst, whose son Andrew is receiving urgent brain cancer treatment.

Precious time

Andrew, aged 35 has been diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma and is hoping to be able to access immunotherapy and hyperthermy treatment that could give him more precious time with his young family.

It takes place on Saturday 24th January (7.00pm) at Wakefield Cathedral (WF1 1HG) and will feature Carlton Main Frickley Band with Roger and Billy as guest soloists, as well as Harry Porthouse, the young principal cornet star of Leyland Band.

Treatment access

Speaking to 4BR Roger said: "People have been wonderful in their support since we made the announcement, and we are really looking forward to what promises to a super night.

We have known David since our days playing at Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, and have seen first hand the love Andrew has for his incredibly supportive family of his wife Rachael and children, Freddie, Juliana and Maximilian.

The £250k fund raising has now past the halfway mark thanks to so much support from the brass band family, and we hope to boost that even further on the night."

"People have been wonderful in their support since we made the announcement, and we are really looking forward to what promises to a super nightRoger Webster

Time sensitive

On the family GoFundMe page Andrew stated: "Hyperthermy works alongside the chemotherapy and uses high temperatures to damage and kill the cancerous cells.

This vaccine will train my immune system to recognise and fight the cancer as it regrows. This is a time-sensitive opportunity, and I need to raise £250,000 to access this potentially life-extending treatment."

Support

Concert tickets:


https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/wakefield/wakefield-cathedral/glioblastoma-fundraising-charity-concert/2026-01-24/19:00/t-yzapvre

To donate:


https://www.gofundme.com/f/536hk-help-andrew-fight-brain-cancer

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    


Chinnor

New direction at Chinnor

January 17 • Chris Andrews takes the baton alongside a trio of new signings as the band looks forward to making its First Section debut at Stevenage.


webster

Wonderful response to charity concert

January 17 • A concert to help raise funds for a young family man with a close connection to the old banding world has already gained a wonderful response of support.


Review

4BR Review — Episode 14

January 16 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is joined by Chris Thomas and special guest Dr David Thornton to preview the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester.


Finalists

Final beats made ahead of NYBBGB Conducting Final

January 16 • Ammal Bhatia, Megan Bousfield, Tommy Tynan and Joey Wong will head to Tidworth Garrison Theatre in Wiltshire with the aim to become the winner of the prestigious event supported by British Army Music.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Jack Capstaff

Bmus (Hons)
Conductor | Composer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd