*
banner

Spring Festival line ups announced

The runners & riders for the 93rd Spring Festival at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool have been announced.

Winter Gardens
 

The British Open Championship organisers have announced the full list of competing bands, conductors, test pieces, prizes and adjudicators for the 93rd Spring Festival which will take place at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on May 11th this year.

Judges

The adjudication line-up includes David Read MBE, Frank Renton, Allan Ramsay, Adrian Morris, Simone Rebello and Lynda Nicholson.

The adjudication line-up includes David Read MBE, Frank Renton, Allan Ramsay, Adrian Morris, Simone Rebello and Lynda Nicholson4BR

Grand Shield:
Opera House
Test Piece: Red Priest (Philip Wilby)

First Prize: £800 and Grand Shield
Second Prize: £600
Third Prize: £400
Fourth Prize: £300

1. Aldbourne (David Johnson)
2. BTM (David Maplestone)
3. Co-operative Funeralcare Band North West (Jef Sparkes)
4. Flowers (Paul Holland)
5. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths)
6. Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea)
7. Kirkintilloch (TBA)
8. Marsden Silver Prize (Glyn Williams)
9. Milnrow (Mareika Gray)
10. Mount Charles (Simon Dobson)
11. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley)
12. Northop Silver (Thomas Wyss)
13. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham)
14. Redbridge (Jeremy Wise)
15. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
16. Thorseby Colliery (TBA)
17. Tongwynlais Temperance (Steve Sykes)
18. Whitburn (Ian Porthouse)
19. Wingates (Andrew Berryman)
20. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (David Nesbitt)

*Two bands qualify for the 2013 British Open


Senior Cup:
Pavilion Theatre
Test Piece: Capriccio Italien Op 45 (Tchaikovsky arr. Derek M Broadbent)

First Prize: £600 and Belle Vue 100 Guinea Challenge Cup
Second Prize: £400
Third Prize: £300
Fourth Prize: £200

1. Ashton under Lyne (Simon Stonehouse)
2. Aveley & Newham (Melvin White)
3. Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Sheppard)
4. Bo’ness & Carriden (TBA)
5. Burry Port Town (Nigel Seaman)
6. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
7. East Yorkshire Motor Services (Alan Morrison)
8. Felling (Stephen Malcolm)
9. Fishburn (Huw Thomas)
10. Freckleton (Paul Dalton)
11. Kingdom Brass (Bede Williams)
12. Lochgelly (TBA)
13. NASUWT Riverside Brass (Ray Farr)
14. Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles)
15. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts)
16. Staffordshire (TBA)
17. Tylorstown (Gary Davies)
18. Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (Derek Renshaw)
19. Wakefield Metropolitan (Michael Howley)
20. Woodfalls (Dr Nicholas Childs)

* Top four bands are promoted to Grand Shield


Senior Trophy:
Spanish Hall
Test Piece: Journey into Freedom (Eric Ball)

First Prize: £600 and Senior Trophy
Second Prize: £400
Third Prize: £300
Fourth Prize: £200

1. Camborne (John Berryman)
2. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Gareth Ritter)
3. Dalmellington (Archie Hutchison)
4. Drighlington (Jim Davies)
5. Easington Colliery (Chris Bentham)
6. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
7. Friary Guildford (Chris King)
8. Hade Edge (Simon Wood)
9. Hatfield Colliery (Graham O’Connor)
10. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford)
11. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (TBA)
12. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
13. Meltham & Meltham Mills (Norman Law)
14. Newtongrange Silver (Lee Skipsey)
15. Oldham Lees (John Collins)
16. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins)
17. Sovereign Brass (TBA)
18. St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
19. Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson)
20. Wantage Silver A (Phillip Bailey)

* Top four bands are promoted to the Senior Cup

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    


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.


Victoria Wood

Limited tickets only for NYBBGB Easter concerts

April 8 • There are only limited tickets left if you wish to enjoy the New Horizons Concerts of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Leyburn and Manchester — so be quick.


Doodles

Spring upgrade from Doodles

April 8 • The bespoke mouthpiece business is offering a Spring custom upgrade...


Banstand

Radio: Bandstand

April 8 • More brass band music to enjoy from Lucas Burns in Australia with one work about a dog and a bomb...


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


Harrogate Band

April 8 • We are looking for a Solo Cornet and Back Row Cornet to complete our team. . Interesting mix of engagements and contests. . Rehearsals Wednesday 8pm at our own bandroom located next to Hornbeam Park train station. Great transport links


Glossop Old Band

April 8 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Wardle Anderson Brass Band

April 8 • Wardle Anderson Brass are an ambitious, forward-thinking Championship Section band on the up, looking to strengthen the team. Vacancies: Solo Trombone, Eb Bass & Front Row Cornet. Strong recent Area result under new MD Jamie Cooper.


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd