*
banner

Bolsover draws announced

The draws for the forthcoming Bolsover Festival of Brass have been announced.

Bolsover Festival of Brass
 

The organisers of the popular Bolsover Festival of Brass contest have released the draws for each of the sections for the event which takes place on the weekend of the 6th& 7th October.

Two day festival

The two day festival event, based at the Shirebrook Leisure Centre, kicks off on Saturday 6th at 3.30pm with the Charity Entertainment Contest, which sees reigning champions Ransome Re-united Band up against rivals from The (original) City of Coventry Band, Sir Richard Arkwright’s Masson Mills Brass Band, and a re-union band of ex Desford players.

The friendly competition supports the James Watson Memorial Trust, set up by the Watson family following the great trumpet player’s death in 2011.

Challenge Trophy

Each band will perform a 30 minute entertainment programme with Philip Sparke and Alan Wycherley adjudicating to see which re-union band can reclaim former glories and walk away to the bar to celebrate with the Challenge Trophy!

New award

A new addition to the silverware this year will see the presentation of the James Watson Memorial Shield presented by Carole Crompton to the best soloist of the day.

Carole told 4BR: "The idea of the re-union contest has been a huge success.

It’s hoped we can raise further money for the charity through ticket sales and by staging a re-union dinner following the contest where everyone can come together, socialise and reminisce about days gone by whilst enjoying a good meal and a pint or three!"

The idea of the re-union contest has been a huge successCarole Crompton

Donations

Any donations for this event can be made by sending a cheque made out to Bolsover District Council, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover, Chesterfield Derbyshire, S44 6NF with a covering note to say that the cheque is for the Bolsover Festival of Brass Charity event.

All donations will be gratefully received. The re-union dinner is also supporting the charity and will cost £12 per head.

Re-union Contest draw:

1. Ransome Band (TBA)
2. City of Coventry (Ian Johnson)
3. Sir Richard Arkwright’s Masson Mills Band (Russell Gray)
4. Desford Re-union Band (Paul Cosh)

Sunday Festival Contest

Meanwhile the main Festival of Brass contest is scheduled to commence at 10.00am on Sunday 7th October at Heritage High School, Boughton Lane, Clowne, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S43 4QG, where 35 bands will be taking part.

20 minute programme

Each band will perform a 20 minute programme (first note to last note).

Entry is by ticket available on the door costing £5, concessions £3.
The adjudicators are Philip Sparke and Ian Porthouse.

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Ian Porthouse

1. Hade Edge (Simon Wood)
2. City of Coventry (Alwyn Green)
3. Thoresby Colliery (David Purkiss)
4. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
5. East Yorkshire Motor Services (Alan Morrison)
6. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford)
7. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts)


First Section:
Adjudicator: Ian Porthouse

1. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker)
2. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield)
3. Stannington (TBA)
4. Hatfield (Graham O'Connor)


Second Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Sparke

1. Strata Brass (David Holling)
2. Durham Miners Association (David Hirst)
3. Shirebrook Miners Welfare Unison (Mark Wilcockson)
4. Barnsley Chronicle (Grenville Moore)
5. Matlock (Andrew Dennis)
6. Waterbeach (David Minchin)


Third Section:
Adjudicator: Ian Porthouse

1. Thurcroft Welfare (Garry Hallas)
2. Rolls Royce Derby (Graham Cardwell)
3. Hucknall & Linby MC (Paul Whyley)
4. Dronfield CMW (Graham O'Connor)
5. Croft Silver (Ian Needham)


Fourth Section:
Adjudicator Philip Sparke

1. Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) (Ian Knapton)
2. Kirkby Colliery (Steve Berrill)
3. Newhall (Kevin Holdgate)
4. Ilkeston Brass (David Jones)
5. Deepcar (Lindon Bolt)
6. Melton (Graham Sutton)
7. Market Rasen (Resdev) (Alan Needham)
8. Littleborough (Adrian Woodhead)


Un-Registered Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Sparke

1. Loxley Silver (Lee Dunkley)

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    


Chinnor

New direction at Chinnor

January 17 • Chris Andrews takes the baton alongside a trio of new signings as the band looks forward to making its First Section debut at Stevenage.


webster

Wonderful response to charity concert

January 17 • A concert to help raise funds for a young family man with a close connection to the old banding world has already gained a wonderful response of support.


Review

4BR Review — Episode 14

January 16 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is joined by Chris Thomas and special guest Dr David Thornton to preview the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester.


Finalists

Final beats made ahead of NYBBGB Conducting Final

January 16 • Ammal Bhatia, Megan Bousfield, Tommy Tynan and Joey Wong will head to Tidworth Garrison Theatre in Wiltshire with the aim to become the winner of the prestigious event supported by British Army Music.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd