There will be a good turnout of competitors for the 33rd Northern Open Championship to be held at St Helen’s Theatre Royal on Sunday 17th November.

Prize fund

Attracted by a generous prize fund which sees each of the four section winners take away a first prize of £400, the own choice test piece contests will be adjudicated on by the experienced duo of David Horsfield and Stan Lippeatt.

Keen edge to top section

There is sure to be a keen edge to the competition in the Championship Section where reigning champion Oldham (Lees) will defend the Northern Open Trophy against a strong field of rivals, which include last year’s Second Section winner, City of Bradford, as well as last year’s runner-up Longridge, Vernon Building Society Poynton, Wingates and welcome North of England visitors GT Group Peterlee.

10 bands battle it out in the Second Section, with a further seven in the Third and four in the Fourth.

Kicks off

It all kicks off at 9.30am prompt with the quartet of Fourth Section bands hoping to impress Stan Lippeatt in the box, followed by the Third, Second and finally the Championship event around 4.30pm.

Attract

Lancashire contests organiser Frank Hodges told 4BR that the bands are sure to be offered a warm welcome once more in St Helens.

"It’s a great tribute to the contest that it is celebrating its 33rd year.

Thanks to a generous prize pot which sees the top three bands winning £400, £200 and £100 in each section as well as many individual awards, its continues to attract a keen level of competition, despite the many financial hurdles we now have to overcome to out such an event on."

It’s a great tribute to the contest that it is celebrating its 33rd yearFrank Hodges

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: David Horsfield
Start: 4.30pm approx

City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey)
GT Group Peterlee (Joseph Cook)
Longridge (Mark Peacock)
Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
VBS Poynton (Neil Samuel)
Wingates (Paul Andrews)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: David Horsfield
Start: 1.15pm approx

Besses Boys (Jams Holt)
Besses o’th’ Barn (Alan Wycherley)
Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley)
Greenall’s (P. Boardman)
Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
Hoover Bolton (Trevor Halliwell)
Lindley (Chris Lewis)
Old Silkstone (Simon Kerwin)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW ‘B’ (Peter Ashley)
Tyldelsey (Rob Taylor)

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Stan Lippeatt
Start: 10.45am approx

Darwen Brass (Steve Hartley)
Formby (Louise Hough)
Littleborough (Adrian Woodhead)
Parr Band St Helens (John Ludden)
Skelmersdale (David Chapman)
Trinity Girls Brass (Stuart Barton)
Wetherby Silver (Alan Seymour)

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Stan Lippeatt
Start: 9.30am approx

Blackley (Daniel Price)
City of Chester (Malcolm Peach)
Greenfield (Tom Haslam)
Sale Brass (Grenville Moore)