Unite the Union rounded off their 2026 contesting season with victory at the Rochdale Contest.

Their bold performance of their own-choice work, 'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants' under Jonathan Beatty saw them claim the title ahead of Yorkshire rivals City of Bradford, with Kidlington Concert Brass completing the podium as well as gaining the invitation to compete at the 2027 Senior Trophy.

A dozen bands took part in the joint Championship & First Section contest, with adjudicator Daniel Brooks, MD of Leyland Band, having to compare 12 different test-piece choices.

City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey) opted for 'Corpus Christi' by Robert Redhead, whilst Kidlington (Jonathan Pippen) performed Derek Bourgeois' 'Blitz', aided by the contribution of their 'Best Percussion' team.

The remaining top-six places went to Wardle Anderson ('Of Distant Memories), Boarshurst Silver ('English Heritage') and Tewit Silver ('Fragile Oasis').

Fine form

The winner though was on fine form on their ambitious choice of the former British Open test-piece, claiming the £400 first prize with the adjudicator calling it, "a fabulous performance of a very difficult piece". Their solo euphonium player Will Francis took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

Reflecting on their victory on their Facebook page Unite the Union said: "We're thrilled... and a huge congratulations to Will. A huge thank you to the organising team, another brilliant day at your excellent contest. We'll have a very happy (and very soggy!) drive home over the hill to Sheffield tonight."

Having made further progress on the contest stage in past twelve months under MD Jonathan Beatty, the band can now look forward to a brace of biblically inspired tests in early 2027 with 'Ben-Hur 1925' at the Yorkshire Area and 'Isaiah 40' at the Senior Cup.

Second Section:

After winning the Third Section in 2025, Dobcross Silver returned to claim the Second Section honours and £400 first prize under Jason M Smith, with a fine rendition of Stephen Bulla's 'Images for Brass'. The band's tuned percussion also took the 'Best Instrumentalist' prize.

Speaking about their success on their website, the band stated that they had, "put in a strong performance" to produce "a brilliant result and a great reward for all the hard work in rehearsals."

Although only three bands took to the stage, it was a keenly fought battle for Marianne Garbutt to judge, with Delph (Phil Goodwin) giving a solid rendition of 'Rhapsody in Brass' and Old Hall Brass (Trevor Halliwell) a neatly constructed 'Purcell Variations'.

Third Section:

After coming runner-up last year, Littleborough under MD Max Stannard returned to take the £400 first prize this time round by producing a fine reprise of 'Snow Island', the work they performed at the recent Third Section National Finals in York.

Helped by the contribution of their excellent 'Best Instrumentalist' euphonium player John Whatmough, it also saw them presented with the trophy as the 'Highest Placed NWABBA Band' as they pipped challengers Thornton Cleveleys ('Kaleidoscope') with North Lakes Brass in third ('A Celtic Suite').

A little later they stated: "The band have worked hard to prepare for the contest under Max Stannard, and it's brilliant to see that hard work pay off!"

Fourth Section:

There was also a keenly fought battle for the Fourth Section honours with St John's (Mossley) eventually coming out on top from the number 1 draw thanks to super rendition of 'The Journal of Philias Fogg' under MD Ben Hill-Wilson.

It was a fine way to round off a solid year of contesting achievement as they took the £400 first prize and the 'Highest Placed NWABBA Band' accolade in pipping Queensbury Music Centre (Alan Hobbins) with their reprise of 'Heroes of the North' which gained them another runner-up spot at the recent National Final in York.

Third place went to Greenfield who performed 'Neverland', whilst there were solid renditions of 'I, Daedelus' and 'Four Cities Symphony' from Tewit Community (whose euph player took the 'Best Instrumentalist award) and Mereside Brass respectively.

Since returning to the contest schedule in 2023 the Rochdale Contest continues to attract bands to a very well organised event at a fine venue.

Results:
Championship/First Section:

Adjudicator: Daniel Brooks

1. Unite the Union (Jonathan Beatty)
2. City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey)
3. Kidlington Concert Brass (Jonathan Pippen)*
4. Wardle Anderson (Jamie Cooper)
5. Boarshurst Silver (Martyn Evans)
6. Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)
7. Horbury Victoria (Dean Jones)
8. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Mike Golding)
9. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
10. Besses Boys (James Holt)
11. Cockerton Prize Silver (Duncan Wilson)
12. BD1 Brass (Helen Varley)

* Kidlington Concert Brass receive invitation to the 2027 Senior Trophy
Best Instrumentalist: Will France (euphonium) — Unite the Union
Best Percussion: Kidlington Concert Brass

Second Section:

Adjudicator Marianne Garbutt

1. Dobcross Silver (Jason M. Smith)
2. Delph (Phil Goodwin)
3. Old Hall Brass (Trevor Halliwell)

Best Instrumentalist: Tuned percussion (Dobcross Silver)

Third Section:

Adjudicator Marianne Garbutt

1. Littleborough Brass (Max Stannard)
2. Thornton Cleveleys (John Wood)
3. North Lakes Brass (Denis Hadfield)

Best Instrumentalist: John Whatmough (euphonium) — Littleborough Brass
Highest Placed NWABBA Band: Littleborough Brass

Fourth Section:

Adjudicator: Marianne Garbutt)

1. St. John's Band (Mossley) (Ben Hill-Wilson)
2. Queensbury Music Centre (Alan Hobbins)
3. Greenfield Brass (Paul Towle)
4. Tewit Community Brass (Andy Williams)
5. Mereside Brass (Kieran Joy)

Best Instrumentalist: (euphonium) — Tewit Community
Highest Placed NWABBA Band: St Jon's (Mossley)