*
banner

European Countdown — 6 days to go

More weird and wonderful things to ponder over, as we countdown to the big event.

EBBA
 

You’ve had the Belgian’s, the Scots and the Welsh, now its time to find out more about those lovers of peace and numbered bank accounts… the Swiss.

The Swiss

1. Switzerland legalized the use of marijuana in 2002, but sales are still not legal.

2. The Swiss Guard have been famously fierce mercenaries from the 15th to 19th centuries, but now only 100 are left, serving just the Pope & Vatican City.

3. Switzerland stayed neutral in both world wars, yet today every fit man serves in the army and stays in the reserves, and every household contains a bomb shelter and gun.

There is a public toilet in Switzerland made of one way glass. From the outside it is totally mirrored, yet inside you can look out 360 degrees and see everyone whilst you are having a pee!4BR

4. Swiss commas are decimal points, and vice versa: €1,50 is one and a half euros, and an American mile contains 5.280 feet.

5. It's against the law to slam your car door in Switzerland

6. There is a public toilet in Switzerland made of one way glass. From the outside it is totally mirrored, yet inside you can look out 360 degrees and see everyone whilst you are having a pee!

7. In March 2007, 170 Swiss soldiers mistakenly invaded neighbouring Liechtenstein during a routine training exercise. The infantry soldiers wandered 2 kilometers across an unmarked border into the tiny principality.

A spokesman for the Swiss army confirmed the story, but said that there were unlikely to be any serious repercussions for the mistaken invasion.

Liechtenstein’s Interior Ministry said nobody in had even noticed the soldiers, who were carrying assault rifles but no ammunition. "It's not like they stormed over here with attack helicopters or something," he said.

8. Famous Swiss inventions include Velcro, Cellophane and the Swiss Army Knife, although the cuckoo clock was actually invented in the Black Forest of Germany and the Swiss Roll originates from the UK.

The Swiss Roll is not widely eaten in Switzerland, where they are called Biscuitrolle, Roulade or gâteau roulé. The wristwatch was invented by Patek Philippe in 1868.

9. Switzerland has the 2nd highest life expectancy in Europe (after Sweden).

10. About 20% of the people living in Switzerland are foreigners.

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    


Lostock

Tynan departs at Lostock Hall

May 17 • The brief but successful musical partnership between Lostock Hall Band and conductor Tommy Tynan has come to an end.


radio

People are in tuning in for classical music

May 16 • The latest quarterly RAJAR figures have just been released with over 6 million people enjoying classical music output each week.


bbw

Brass Band World: May issue out now

May 16 • The latest issue of the magazine is now out — packed with a comprehensive look at the banding world.


Imogen Whitehead

Whitehead to premiere new flugel concerto

May 16 • Imogen Whitehead will give the world premiere of a new flugel horn concerto by Gabriel Jackson as part of her residency at the Ryedale Festival this year.


Harlow Brass Band - SPRING CONCERT - AN ANIMATION SENSATION

Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 17 May • Dorchester- Park Bandstand DT1 1RG


Newstead Brass - Mansfield MVC - Brass and Voices

Sunday 24 May • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West,. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Cambrian Brass

May 16 • We're always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining a friendly and supportive band, whether you're returning to banding or looking for a new challenge.


Delph Band

May 15 • We are seeking an enthusiastic and musically skilled Associate Conductor to lead and develop our band alongside our current Musical Director Phil Goodwin. . Rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-10pm at Delph Band Club.


Tintwistle Band

May 15 • We have a vacancy for a soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled!. We rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom in Tintwistle, under the baton of our superb MD, Jim Henson.


Gordon Eddison

B Ed (Hons). Member AoBBA.
Conductor and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd