*
banner

Line ups announced for Spring Festival

The full list of competing bands and their conductors has been announced by the British Open organisers for the 94th Spring Festival.

British Open scuplture
 

The list of runners and riders who will take part in the 94th British Open Spring Festival at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Saturday 26th April have been announced.

Tickets will be available on the day with adults £12.00 and concessions £7.00.

Judges

The adjudicating team comprises: Derek Broadbent, Dr. Robert Childs, David Horsfield, Mike Kilroy, Allan Ramsay and David Read MBE.

Bands are reminded the contests are organised in accordance with the rules of the British Open Brass Band Championship.

For further information go to: www.thebritishopen.net


Bands are reminded the contests are organised in accordance with the rules of the British Open Brass Band Championship4BR

The Grand Shield:
Opera House
Test Piece: On Alderley Edge (Peter Graham)

First Prize: £800 and Grand Shield
Second Prize: £600
Third Prize: £400
Fourth Prize: £300

First Half Draw: 9.30am
Start: 10.30am

Aldbourne (David Johnson)
Burry Port (Nigel Seaman)
Co-operative Funeralcare Band North West (Jef Sparkes)
East Yorkshire Motor Services (Alan Morrison)
Flowers (Paul Holland)
Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths)
Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea)
Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams)
Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley)
Northop Silver (Thomas Wyss)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Stig Maersk)
Redbridge (Alan Duguid)
Reg Vardy (Stephen Roberts)
Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
Thoresby Colliery (Brian Grant)
Tongwynlais Temperance (Steve Sykes)
Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (David Hirst)
Whitburn (Ian Porthouse)
Woodfalls (Dr Nicholas Childs)
Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (Mark Bentham)

The Senior Cup:
Pavilion Theatre
Test Piece: English Heritage (George Lloyd)

First Prize: £600 and Belle Vue 100 Guinea Challenge Cup
Second Prize: £400
Third Prize: £300
Fourth Prize: £200

First Half Draw: 9.00am
Start: 10.00am

Ashton under Lyne (Philip Chalk)
Aveley & Newham (Melvin White)
Blackburn & Darwen (Huw Thomas)
Bo’ness & Carriden (Bryan Allan)
Camborne Town (John Berryman)
Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
Felling (Stephen Malcolm)
Fishburn (Joseph Cook)
Kingdom Brass (TBA)
Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Ernest Ruddock)
Mount Charles (Tom Davoren)
NASUWT Riverside Brass (Ray Farr)
Newtongrange (Lee Skipsey)
Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles)
Skelmanthorpe (Martin Hall)
Staffordshire (Leigh Baker)
Tylorstown (Gary Davies)
Wakefield Metropolitan (Michael Howley)
Wingates (Paul Andrews)


The Senior Trophy:
Spanish Hall
Test Piece: Les Francs Juges (Hector Berlioz, arr. Frank Wright)

First Prize: £600 and Senior Trophy
Second Prize: £400
Third Prize: £300
Fourth Prize: £200

First Half Draw: 10.15am
Start: 11.15am

Bournemouth Concert Brass (Major David Barringer)
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Gareth Ritter)
Dalmellington (Richard Evans)
Drighlington (Jim Davies)
Easington Colliery (Chris Bentham)
Freckleton (Paul Dalton)
Friary Guildford (Chris King)
Hatfield Colliery (Stan Lippeatt)
Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (John Ward)
Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson)
Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan)
Lochgelly (TBA)
Longridge (Mark Peacock)
Medway (Melvin White)
Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
Regent Brass (Paul Archibald)
Spal Automotive Sovereign Brass (David Maplestone)
St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson)

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    


NABBA

America looks at benefits of a slimmer musical diet

June 9 • The North American Brass Band Championships are considering new timing considerations for own-choice test-pieces at National Championships.


James MacmIllan

Monarch honours MacMillan

June 9 • Composer Sir James Macmillan becomes a member of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.


BrwookWright

BrookWright Music launches Solo Contest

June 9 • Leading music publisher launches bespoke solo competition for all brass instruments


Boax

Boax adds to Cory strength

June 9 • The Welsh champion continues to strengthen its ranks with the arrival of new solo baritone player Charlie Boax.


Regent Hall Concerts - Take 5 Brass Quintet

Friday 12 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Celebrating the Music of Malcolm Bennett

Sunday 14 June • Venue-Mark Village Hall, Vole Road, Mark-TA9 4NY. . TA9 4NY


Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band

Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Tintwistle Band

June 9 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd horn player to help complete the team. . We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm under the baton of our MD Jim Henson, at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Crewe Brass

June 5 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION PLAYERS (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Glossop Old Band

June 5 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd