*
banner

Bands ready for Pontins

69 bands will line up in Prestatyn later this month for the 36th Pontins Championships.

Pontins
 

Just a week after the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall, 69 competitors make the trip to Prestatyn to take part in the 36th Pontins Brass Band Championships.

Difficult

With test pieces selected by James Scott, the headline Harry & Margaret Mortimer Championship sees another Peter Graham work testing the best bands – and his very difficult ‘Montage’.

Defending champion Sovereign Brass will look to retain its title in a 16 band field and try and take home with them the £2,500 top prize once again.

Defending champion Sovereign Brass will look to retain its title in a 16 band field and try and take home with them the £2,500 top prize once again4BR

More Vinter

Bands wishing to take home the £1,800 top prize in the First Section will have to overcome yet more Gilbert Vinter. After the difficulties faced by the competing bands at Harrogate, this time it is his ‘Symphony of Marches’ that poses the questions.

The Second Section contenders will be faced with Kenneth Hesketh’s tricky ‘Danceries’, whilst the Third Section contenders will have a taste of Philip Harper’s enjoyable ‘Gallimaufry Suite’.

The Fourth Section will see a new work form a talented young composer, with Benjamin Tubb’s, ‘A Bournemouth Suite’.

Plenty to enjoy

The organisers have informed 4BR that the residents will enjoy a great weekend of entertainment featuring once again a concert performance by the British Army Band on Saturday evening and the regular appearance of the Bavarian Stompers amongst others.

Affordable weekend accommodation is still available with FREE Sunday night.

Please call 08445765949 quoting PBB9 to book.

Harry & Margaret Mortimer Championship
Sunday 25th October
Fun Factory Ballroom
Commencing: 10.00am
Test Piece: Montage (Peter Graham)
Adjudicators: David Horsfield & Alan Morrison

Ashton under Lyne (Martyn Evans)
Burry Port (Craig Roberts)
Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
Felling (Graeme Tindall)
Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford)
Kidlington Concert Brass (TBA)
Marsden Silver Prize (Glyn Williams)
NUSUWT Riverside (Ian Robinson)
Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts)
Sovereign Brass (Jason Glynn)
Staffordshire (Huw Thomas)
Stannington Brass (Derek Renshaw)
Tongwynlais Temperance (Phillip Harper)
Wantage Silver A (Philip Bailey)
Wire Brass (Paul Andrews)
Woodfalls (Melvin White)

First Section:
Saturday 24th October
Fun Factory Ballroom
Commencing: 10.00am
Test Piece: Symphony of Marches (Gilbert Vinter)
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Peter Roberts

Bedworth Brass (Guy Bennett)
Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Sheppard)
Brackley & District (Jason Glynn)
Chalford (Steve Tubb)
Drighlington (Colin Hardy)
Gresley Colliery (Stephen Shimwell)
Haverhill (Mark Ager)
Haydock (Mark Quinn)
Lindley (Jim Davies)
Longridge (Steve Tarry)
Old Silkstone (Chris Hirst)
Point of Ayr Colliery (John Hinkley)
Stocksbridge (David Holling)
Tyldesley (TBA)
Wakefield Metropolitan (Norman Law)


Second Section:
Sunday 25th October
Lunars Hall
Commencing: 9.00am
Test Piece: Danceries (Kenneth Hesketh)
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Peter Roberts

Barnsley Building Society (Rob Straw)
Deiniolen (Gavin Saynor)
Flixton (Alan Hobbins)
Haslington and Helmshore (David Holland)
Hoover Bolton (Trevor Halliwell)
Kippax (David Lancaster)
Littleport (Nigel Bramley)
Oddfellows Brass (Robert Boulter)
Oldham Lees (John Collins)
Rainford (Neil Samuel)
Rogerstone (Jamie Jones)
Silk Brass (Macclesfield) (James Cant)
Tintwistle (Peter Denton)
Tylorstown (Garry Davies)
United Co-op 2000 Brass (Jamie Meredith)
Verwood Concert Brass (David Johnson)


Third Section:
Saturday 24th October
Lunars Hall
Commences at end of Fourth Section: Approx 2.00pm
Test Piece: A Gallimaufry Suite (Philip Harper)
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson & Glyn Williams

BMP Europe Ltd, Goodshaw (Kevin Gibbs)
Boarhurst Silver (David Ashworth)
Chalgrove (Michael Pegram)
Crosskeys Silver (Keri Bowden)
Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins)
Greenall’s (K. Scott)
Hawk Green (Marple) (Andy Wilson)
Pemberton Old Wigan JJB ‘B’ (P. Ashley)
Porthywaen Silver (Mark Parry)
Skelmersdale Prize (John Ludden)
Uppermill (Alan Widdop)
Whitworth Vale & Healey (Jason M Smith)


Fourth Section:
Saturday 24th October
Lunars Hall
Commencing: 10.00am
Test Piece: A Bournemouth Suite (Benjamin Tubb)
Adjudicators: David Horsfield & Alan Morrison

Besses Boys (James Holt)
Blackley (Adrian Smith)
Croft Silver (Ian Needham)
Denton Brass (Graham Smith)
Eccles Borough (Les Webb)
Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley)
Greenfield (Stuart Black)
Golborne (Dave Houghton)
Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
Nelson Brass (Dave Holland)

Further information:

For further information please contact either of The Festivals Contest Controllers.

Colin Morrison
22 Rushdon Close, Grays, Essex, RM17 5QW
Telephone/Fax Number: (01375) 409807
E-mail: cm006c6149@blueyonder.co.uk

Frank Hodges
39, Broxton Avenue, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 8NP
Telephone: 01942 703217
Mobile: 07930 562 768
E-mail: frankhodges@bbbr.co.uk

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 Preview

4BR Review — Episode 9

October 7 • Join the conversion with your views and opinions about the Royal Albert Hall National Final — who you think may win and what you feel should be done to secure its future.


the cooperation band

Half century mark for cooperation players

October 7 • Keith Johnstone and Ray Munday have just notched up 50 years of outstanding service to the brass band movement — with an appearance at the Albert Hall to help with the celebrations.


Hindmarsh

Heaton spotlight on Radio 3

October 7 • The life and music of Wilfred Heaton will be discussed by author Paul Hindmarsh on Radio 3's flagship arts programme 'In Tune' next Monday.


Smith and Grezzy

Podcast: Smith & Grezzy's Big Chat Brass

October 7 • The new podcast episode from Sandy Smith and Simon Gresswell is now out.


Regent Hall Concerts - Stately Brass Quintet

Friday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Academy Symphonic Brass

Friday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Autumn Concert

Saturday 11 October • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB S32 1BB


Contest: National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain

Saturday 11 October • The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 14 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Welwyn Garden City Band

October 6 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an exciting and varied Christmas season ahead. Due to an employment relocation, we have an immediate vacancy for a FRONT ROW CORNET player.


Tewit Silver Band

October 4 • Principal Eb Bass. Our established bass section are looking for a strong leader to elevate their performance - could that be you? We have an exciting contest schedule including the Scottish Open and and full set of new Besson basses!


Tewit Silver Band

October 4 • Principal Eb Bass. Our established bass section are looking for a strong leader to elevate their performance - could that be you? We have an exciting contest schedule including the Scottish Open and and full set of new Besson basses!


James Garlick

BMus (Hons), QTS
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Tutor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd