*
banner

Brilliant brass in Brighouse

10th Festival of Brass proves to be a roaring success for Lions Charity.

 

The 10th Brighouse Festival of Brass, organised by the Brighouse Lions provided brass at its best for many local charities on the weekend.

Friday evening’s opening celebrity concert in the Central Methodist Church got this annual brass spectacular off to a great start.

2008 Brighouse Champions, Marsden Silver, under guest conductor, Paul Andrews, played to a full house with a programme of exciting music, whilst guest soloist's Richard Marshall and Helen Williams delighted the audience.

...the first Brighouse Youth Solo Championships in Bailiff Bridge where a very friendly atmosphere helped to encourage the young people to show their talents4BR

Youth Solos

Saturday morning saw the first Brighouse Youth Solo Championships in Bailiff Bridge where a very friendly atmosphere helped to encourage the young people to show their talents.

This event sponsored by Kershaw’s Garden Centre of Brighouse and Brigitte Matthews of Holmfirth saw a very good standard in the three classes.

Results:
Under 11:

1. Charlotte Horsfield (trombone)
2. Nadia Long (Tenor Horn)
3. Alex Smith (Euphonium)
Youngest player: Aaron Kerwin (Euphonium)
All members of Clifton & Lightcliffe Juniors

Under 14:
1. Lewis Bettles (Trombone) Stannington Brass Band
2. Alexander Crisp (Tenor Horn) Clifton & Lightcliffe
3. Joseph Martin (Cornet) Knaresborough Silver Band

Under 17:
1. Jonathan Bates (Tenor Horn) Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
2. Alexander Crisp (Tenor Horn) Clifton & Lightcliffe
3. Lewis Bettles (Trombone) Stannington Brass Band

Adjudicator Roy Curran gave a talk on the art of lyrical playing and praised all the competitors for their efforts which were rewarded with Certificates of Merit.

Evening Concert

The Evening Gala Concert featured Easington Colliery Band under Roy Curran, with a programme of popular music which delighted a full house.

There were many musical highlights, whilst Carl Jenkins, a Brighouse resident, who was the Channel 4 'Secret Millionaire' with Easington Band chosen as his favourite charity, was present to chat with band secretary Scott Meikle during the concert.

A nice gesture by the band was to donate their fee for the concert to The British Heart Foundation (Scotland) in memory of Scott Meikle’s mother Helen, who recently passed away.

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    


4BR Review

4BR Review: Annual Awards nominations broadcast

December 16 • The long list nominees for the 2025 4BR Awards will be revealed in a special live broadcast on Wednesday evening at 7.00pm — so why not join us and see if you agree with our choices.


Oldroyd

Kennedy signing adds to Oldroyd Opus

December 16 • The award winning cooperation band flugel star Stephanie Kennedy has been welcomed as a new Oldroyd Musical Instruments Performance Artist.


Frans Violet

Willebroek reaches new audiences with primetime television slot

December 16 • The talents of the European champion were enjoyed by a nationwide television audience in Belgium.


We are going on a bear hunt

Leyland to go on a bear hunt...

December 16 • There will be plenty of family fun in 2026 for supporters of Leyland Band — as they lead the musical accompaniment to a classic bear hunt.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


wantage silver band

December 17 • . Wantage Concert Brass (First Section) are looking to fill the positions of Solo Euphonium, First Baritone and Bass Trombone ASAP. Rehearsals are on Tuesday and Friday, 7:30-9:30pm, led by their dynamic MD Daniel Hall..


Banks Brass Band

December 16 • Merry Christmas from Banks Brass Band, a friendly non-contesting Band near Southport. We are looking for experienced players to strengthen our euphonium, trombone and bass rows. Rehearsals: Mondays 8.00-9.30 in the Hub@Banks community centre, PR4 8BL.


Cambrian Brass

December 15 • We are a hard-working, positive and welcoming brass band, proudly inclusive and open to players of all experience levels. As we prepare for the forthcoming Regional Championships, we currently have a vacancy for a Solo Cornet player.


Morgan Griffiths

Dip. Performance
Conductor, Peripatetic Music Teacher, Lower brass specialist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd