Line-ups for North of England Area confirmed

42 bands will take to the stage in Durham to try and claim their places at London and Cheltenham later in the year.

NASUWT Riverside are the defending Championship Section title holders

Thursday, 26 February 2026

There will be a line-up of 42 bands taking to the stage at Durham's Gala Theatre for the 2026 North of England Regional Championships.

The event takes place over the weekend of the 21st & 22nd March, with the Saturday kicking off at 11.00am with the Second Section followed by the Fourth and First. The following day it will be the turn of the Third Section (10.30am) followed by the Championship Section.

Qualifiers

Two bands from each section will qualify for an invitation to represent the regions at National Finals in London and Cheltenham. The defending top section champion is NASUWT Riverside (above).

There is a small increase in competitive numbers this year with the welcome return of Driffield Silver, Marske and Easingwold Town, whilst there is a debut appearance in the North of England box for adjudicators Stephanie Binns and Mathew Whitfield.

Best wishes

Regional Secretary Tony Griffiths told 4BR: "We are grateful for the continued support by all sections of our community that enables us to present our contest annually. The Regional Committee send its best wishes to all bands and their supporters for their trip to Durham."

Tickets are available from the Gala Theatre on the day: £10 on the day or £16 for a weekend Ticket. Under 16's entry is free when accompanied by an adult.

Championship Section:

Adjudicators: Anne Crookston; Stephanie Binns
Sunday 22nd March
Start: 1.30pm (after Third Section)

Cockerton Prize (Duncan Wilson)
Easington Colliery (Alan Withington)
EverReady (David Morton)
Fishburn (Ray Farr)
City of Hull (Jonathan Beatty)
NASUWT Riverside (Prof. Nicholas Childs)
Shepherd Brass (Richard Wilton)
Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)

First Section:

Adjudicators David Roberts; Anne Crookston
Saturday 21st March
Start: 5.00pm (after Fourth Section)

Durham Miners Association (Stuart Gray)
East Cleveland Brass (Tim Oldroyd)
Ferryhill Town (Mareika Gray)
Harrogate (Craig Ratcliffe)
Houghton Brass (Aidan Hodgson)
Kirkbymoorside Town (Sarah Woodward)
Ripon City (Gary Hallas)
York Railway Institute (Dr David Lancaster)

Second Section:

Adjudicators: Stephanie Binns; Martin Heartfield
Saturday 21st March
Start: 11.00am

Ashington Colliery (Nigel Steadman)
Dunston Silver (Fraser Hodgson)
East Durham Medical Group Peterlee (Lewis Wilkinson)
Ellington Colliery (Clare Winter)
Felling Band (Stephen Malcolm)
Flookburgh Silver (Steven Craig)
NASUWT Concert Band (Michael Franey)
Westoe (Mark Sidwell)

Third Section:

Adjudicators: Martin Heartfield; David Roberts
Sunday 22nd March
Start: 10.30am

Barton Community (Gary Oglesby)
Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Gavin Brown)
East Riding of Yorkshire (Richard Grantham)
Jayess Newbiggin Brass (Alan Fernie)
Knaresborough Silver (Nicolas Garrett)
North Lakes Brass (Dennis Hadfield)
Spennymoor Town (Fiona Casewell)
Trimdon Brass (Andrew Hall)

Fourth Section:

Adjudicators: Alan Fernie; Mathew Whitfield
Saturday 21st March
Start: 1.45pm (after Second Section)

Backworth Colliery (Chris Travis)
Billingham Silver (Garry Harvey)
Cleethorpes (Brian Harper)
Craghead Colliery (Rob Collinson)
Driffield Silver (Peter Kench)
Easingwold Town (Peter Woodrow)
Marske Brass (Victoria Wilson)
Penrith Town (Ian Butterworth)
Swinton & District Excelsior (Stephen Hague)
Tewit Community (Andy Williams)

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