*
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    


Swoss Open

Result: 2026 Besson Swiss Open

September 21 • Brass Band Treize Etoile regains possession of the Swiss Open title in Lucerne.


York

Result: 2026 Third Section National Championship of Great Britain

September 20 • Let it snow... Allerton claims the Third Section honours in York.


York

Result: 2026 Fourth Section National Championship of Great Britain

September 20 • Wardle Community are the ultimate Heroes of the North as they claim the National title in York.


York Barbican

Report & Result: 2026 First Section National Championship of Great Britain

September 19 • Marsden Silver Prize discover the source of a thunderous success in York.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band -

Sunday 27 September • Dobcross Band and Social Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Saddleworth Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Eagle Brass

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Consort Brass Quintet

Friday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sidmouth Town Band

September 23 • Sidmouth Town Band (1st section) is looking for a 2nd trombone, Bb bass and tuned percussionist to complete its line-up. We reckon we have the best bandstand, summer season and supporters in the country, so come and check us out to see if you agree!


Glossop Old Band

September 23 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a kit player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Chinnor Silver

September 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (28th) and we welcome players of all abilities to join us.. Our rehearsals are friendly and relaxed with players from many local bands joining together to make music.. Tea and cake involved and it’s all free


Steve Pritchard-Jones

FTCL LTCL LDBBA DipMusEd GMus QTS NPQH
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd