*
banner

Smithills wet and wonderful Whit Friday

In spite of the weather, they was plenty to smile about for Smithills Schools Band on the Whit Friday circuit this year.

Smithills
 

In spite of some the worst weather conditions experienced on Whit Friday, Smithills School Senior Brass Band and MD Chris Wormald were delighted to finish their drenched evening as 2009 Youth Champions.

Prize money

With 4 wins, 2 second places, 1 best deportment and 1 best junior player from seven Saddleworth villages, Smithills enjoyed their most successful ever Whit Friday financially, as well as musically, with well over £400 in prize money more to be confirmed.

...at Scouthead the players were literally shaking with cold but gave their best performance of the night in winning thereMD, Chris Wormald

Totally soaked

Chris Wormald told 4BR: "Being totally soaked through, hailed on and frozen at Lees, Grotton and then Lydgate, we discussed the serious possibility of calling the evening to a halt and heading home to Bolton.

"The camaraderie amongst band members was superb but the enjoyment was certainly questionable due to the horrendous weather."

Shaking with cold

Chris added: "Of course, at that stage we didn’t know what a successful start to the evening we had enjoyed, but by 11pm at Scouthead the players were literally shaking with cold but gave their best performance of the night in winning there."

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    


Swoss Open

Result: 2026 Besson Swiss Open

September 21 • Brass Band Treize Etoile regains possession of the Swiss Open title in Lucerne.


York

Result: 2026 Third Section National Championship of Great Britain

September 20 • Let it snow... Allerton claims the Third Section honours in York.


York

Result: 2026 Fourth Section National Championship of Great Britain

September 20 • Wardle Community are the ultimate Heroes of the North as they claim the National title in York.


York Barbican

Report & Result: 2026 First Section National Championship of Great Britain

September 19 • Marsden Silver Prize discover the source of a thunderous success in York.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band -

Sunday 27 September • Dobcross Band and Social Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Saddleworth Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Eagle Brass

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Consort Brass Quintet

Friday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Glossop Old Band

September 23 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a kit player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Chinnor Silver

September 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (28th) and we welcome players of all abilities to join us.. Our rehearsals are friendly and relaxed with players from many local bands joining together to make music.. Tea and cake involved and it’s all free


St John's Band (Mossley)

September 20 • We are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our friendly 4th section band based in Mossley, Tameside.. . We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and have a varied calendar of concerts, contests and ten-piece engagements.


Craig Roberts

BA (Hons), MA
Conductor / Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd