*
banner

Great turn out for Torquay contest

There is a fine entry of 34 bands for the forthcoming SWBBA Contest in Torquay.

Smiles in Torqauy
 

The 66th South West Brass Band Association Championships will be held on Saturday 3rd November at the Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay.

Action

The action kicks off at 10.00am and continues through until mid evening, with plenty of great music for the judges John Berryman and Paul Holland, as well as the audience to enjoy.

The Association has told 4BR that an excellent entry of 34 bands will compete in the seven sections and that the event will be welcoming competitors from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset and South Wales.

Youth bands

The innovative approach of the organisers also means that four Youth Bands and two Training Bands will also take part.

An Association spokesperson told 4BR: "The presentation of awards will be made by the two Life Associate Members, Sue Richards and Bert Buzza."

The Championships are unique as no monetary awards have ever been made to the winning bands, which dispels the cry from some quarters for more and bigger prize moneyOrganisers

Loyalty

They added: "The Championships are unique as no monetary awards have ever been made to the winning bands, which dispels the cry from some quarters for more and bigger prize money, and the Association is extremely proud that it’s member and guest bands continue to show such loyalty."

Tickets

All-day tickets available on the day at only £7 (with concessions).
Further information available from the Association's Secretary Brian Elliott on: telephone — 01752 892056/07966522091 or
brian@swbba.fsnet.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    


Five Lakes

Results: 2026 North American National Championships

April 13 • Five Lakes Silver reclaims the National honours with section awards to Georgia, Cherry Blossom, Fountain City United, Watson Brass, Triangle Youth and St Louis Youth in Fort Wayne.


ConsTest

Report & Result: 2026 ConsTest Birmingham Open

April 11 • Derwent Brass claim the honours in the heart of Birmingham with a show of future ambition.


New Zealand

Report & Results: 2026 New Zealand National Championships

April 11 • North Shore Brass breaks the Wellington stranglehold on the A Grade honours as there are section wins for St Kilda Brass, Rolleston Brass, Brass Whanganui Concert Brass and Tonga Collge Brass


Eikanger-Bjørsvik celebrating

World Rankings: April 2026

April 9 • Eikanger-Bjørsvik return to the top of the rankings following their recent victory at the Norwegian Championships in Bergen.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Hathern Band

April 13 • Euphonium required - position negotiable. . Hathern Band has an immediate vacancy for a Euphonium player to complete their First Section line-up. We rehearse from 7.15 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday & Sunday evenings..


St John's Band (Mossley)

April 12 • BBb BASS player required following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

April 12 • SOLO CORNET players required (position negotiable) following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


Sandy Smith


Conductor, teacher, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd