*
banner

Bands in the FT

An article on Hammonds Saltaire and the Yorkshire Regional Championships is set to appear in the Financial Times magazine this Saturday by award winning journalist Matthew Engel.

Sy George's Hall
 

Hot on the heels of articles in the 'Times', editorials in the 'Guardian' and even a television programme on BBC2, there is yet more national press coverage to come – and in the 'FT' newspaper no less.

Respected

A feature article will appear in the 'Financial Times' Saturday magazine this weekend, written by one of the UK’s most respected journalists, Matthew Engel.

Matthew came to the Yorkshire Regional Championships after the FT photographer, Lorne Campbell, told him about the event and the story behind the rebranded Hammonds Saltaire Band. Matthew writes regular features in the magazine about stories that interest him, bringing a flavour of the places and people he meets.

I thought they played really well and following 4BR on Twitter, it seemed others, like yourself, liked their performance tooMatthew Engel

Award winner

The former editor of the world famous cricketing 'Wisden Almanack' and award winning journalist on the Guardian and Observer newspapers, took the opportunity to come up from his Herefordshire home and spend Saturday following Hammonds as they prepared to play in the First Section contest.

Warm welcome

4BR caught up with him on Tuesday, and as he explained, he found the whole event both exhilarating as well as a touch bewildering too.

"I had a lovely welcome from the band when I came to see them before the contest, and was rooting for them as they took to the stage. I thought they played really well and following 4BR on Twitter, it seemed others, like yourself, liked their performance too."

The result

So what did he think of the result?

"I’m not qualified to judge, but I did find it a touch bewildering and felt so sorry for the band after they put in so much effort," he said. "The whole contest experience was so fascinating and enjoyable though, and I hope the article will bring that over."

So is he a brass band fan? Mathew added: "Certainly, and I hope to follow up on the story some time in the future. It was a wonderful event, with great people and was very interesting."

The article should appear in the Financial Times magazine this Saturday.

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    


Spring Festival

2027 Spring Festival test-pieces announced

October 14 • Works by Philip Sparke, Robert Redhead and Derek Bourgeois will test the aspiring British Open credentials of the competing bands at the Spring Festival next May.


Ellerby

Yorkshire Youth Band enjoys first Dance moves of new season

October 14 • A new work by composer Martin Ellerby has helped inspire the players on the Yorkshire Youth Band course.


gENEVA

Geneva launch Academy range to give long term term support to players and retailers

October 14 • The Geneva Academy Series is aimed at providing a sustainable musical future for players and retailers alike.


EBBA

EBBA drops Challenge Section in 1 year trial

October 14 • There will be no Challenge Section at the 2027 European Brass Band Championships in Montreux.


Regent Hall Concerts - Trafalgar Brass

Thursday 15 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Queentet

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Symphonic Brass

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Fulham Brass Band

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band -

Friday 16 October • Playhouse 2 . 2 Newtown street. Shaw. Oldham OL2 8NX


Tintwistle Band

October 15 • We currently have a vacancy for a 2nd horn player, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled! We are a second section band, and rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom in Tintwistle.


Lostock Hall Brass Band

October 13 • Could you be our next PRINCIPAL CORNET player? and the final piece of our jigsaw!. We are PROMOTED TO THE 1st SECTION in January 2027 as North West 2nd Section Champions of 2026. We are a friendly bunch, have a great mix of ages and sensible mix of jobs


St Michael's Band

October 13 • St Michael’s Band Middleton is a community based non-contesting band looking for players in all sections but particularly cornets front and back row. You’d be very welcome if you are returning to playing or indeed need band experience as a new player


Chris Wormald

B.Mus (Hons), LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, adjudicator, arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd