*
banner

Bolsover set for reunion contest

Four great old Midlands bands set to battle Boobs & Brass in unique Bolsover contest.

Bolsover
 

4BR has been informed that the 2011 Bolsover Festival of Brass is to become a two-day event

Popular

The increasingly popular Festival competition will take place on the weekend of 10th/11th September and will be staged at the Kissingate Leisure Centre in Shirebrook.

Curtain raiser

The curtain raiser to the Festival’s contest day on the Sunday will be a unique Charity Entertainment Contest on the Saturday, which will feature the brilliant all girls ‘Boobs & Brass’ up against four ‘re-union’ bands in the form of Jones & Crosslands, Ransomes, Rhodian and William Davis.

Musical talents

The event will see the bands pit their musical talents against each other to be crowned ‘Bolsover Festival of Brass Charity Entertainment Champions’ – although it is hoped that the ultimate winners will be Breast Cancer Research.

Bolsover District Council decided to run the unique event after chatting to soprano star Alan Wycherley who had an idea to run a contest that had no rules – only a commitment to the enjoyment of making music.

Great cause

After meeting up with Carole Crompton, Arts Development Officer for Bolsover District Council the basic outline was put in place – and then came the hard work of getting the former bands back together to support a great cause.

Carole told 4BR: "The idea has been a huge success — so much so that the venues had to be changed to accommodate the take up on the event. It is hoped to raise money for the charity through ticket sales and by producing a CD of the competition. If the event proves popular we would look to run the same format next year."

Amazing response

4BR has been informed that the response from the former giants of Midlands banding has been amazing, with former players from all over the globe already booking flights to get to the UK in time for a rehearsal or two to get old lips back into shape.

The idea has been a huge success — so much so that the venues had to be changed to accommodate the take up on the eventCarole Hirst

All over the world

Former William Davis trombonist Chris Thomas has been the man responsible for getting his old band back together – a task that has seen him link up with old friends from all over the world.

"I never knew the old band was spread so far and wide," he said. "It really will be like old times with our old MD Keith Wilkinson flying in from the USA to take us at the contest."

Old lips and yellow tunics

Chris hopes that by September a few old lips will be bashed back into shape too. "We want to try and put on some of the old items the band played at Brass in Concert, so we may need to be in practice."

As for the famous old uniforms though – it seems they may have been lost to posterity. "I don’t know how many of us would have fitted into them anyway nowadays, but I think we may try and create something to remind us of the old yellow tunics."

Re-union dinner

Following the contest there will be a re-union dinner for players and their families with the proceeds also going to the charity.

Want to support?

If you are a former player of any of the reunion bands and want to support the event, please contact:

William Davis: Chris Thomas at: christophersthomas@btinternet.com

Ransomes: Steve Thompson at: steve@sterling-hydrotech.co.uk

J & C and Heart of England Bands: Lesley Howarth at: howarthbrass@o2.co.uk

Rhodian Brass: Simon Willis at: simonrwillis@btinternet.com
or simonrwillis@gmail.com

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    


Rooms for groups

Hotel bookings ready to be sorted for Cheltenham and London

March 16 • Another raft of regional winners and qualifiers can get in touch with the hotel accommodation specialists rooms4groups this morning to sort out a welcome headache...


wELSH aREA

Results: 2025 Welsh Regional Championships

March 15 • Tredegar leads the way as Welsh Champion with section wins for Parc & Dare, Deiniolen Silver, City of Wrexham and Holywell in Swansea


Stevenage

Results: 2025 London & Southern Counties Area Championships

March 15 • East London Brass claims the Championship honours in Stevenage with Kidlington Concert Brass, Jersey Premier, Betteshanger and Cobham taking the section titles.


cIVIC cENTRE

Result: 2025 Midlands Second Section Area Championship

March 15 • Carlton Brass claims the Second Section honours in Bedworth


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the RAF Regiment

Friday 21 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Berkeley Brass

Friday 21 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: North of England Regional Championships

Saturday 22 March • 1 Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA


Regent Hall Concerts - Household Troops Band of the Salvation Army

Saturday 22 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: North of England Regional Championships

Sunday 23 March • 1 Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA


Chinnor Silver

March 17 • What a day, 2nd place in our regional contest, qualification for the National Finals and promotion to the 1st Section. However we need basses( Bb or Eb) and percussionists to join us on our exciting journey. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings in Chinnor.


Enderby Band

March 16 • Musical Director required. . Enderby Band are a championship section band based in the village of Enderby in Leicestershire. . . Rehearsals are Tuesday and Friday evenings 8pm until 10pm. . . Resident or professional sought depending on experience.


Enderby Band

March 16 • Bass trombone and Bb Bass required.. . Enderby Band are a championship section band based in the village of Enderby in Leicestershire.. . Rehearsals are Tuesday and Friday evenings 8pm to 10pm at the Enderby Village Institute.


David A. Stowell


Conductor and composer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd