The 39 bands who will compete at the North of England Regional Championship at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington over the weekend of the 15th and 16th March have been announced.
Riverside defence
In the top section, NASUWT Riverside returns to defend the title they won in spectacular fashion a year ago.
With just two qualification places up for grabs for the Royal Albert Hall, eight bands (a drop of two) will compete in the Championship Section on the Sunday afternoon.
There are sure to be some titanic battles in the other four sections as bands compete to gain a qualification berth at Cheltenham in September.
Experienced
Making the all important decisions on the weekend will be David Hirst in the Championship, Second and Fourth Sections with Kevin Wadsworth overseeing the First and Third Sections.
NASUWT Riverside returns to defend the top section title it won in spectacular fashion a year ago 4BR
Championship Section:
Sunday 16th March
Draw 1.30pm
Commence after First Section results
Adjudicator: David Hirst
Easington Colliery (Phil Rosier)
East Yorkshire Motor Services (Alan Morrison)
Fishburn (Allan Ramsay)
Felling (Stephen Malcolm)
Harrogate (Craig Ratcliffe)
NASUWT Riverside (Ray Farr)
Reg Vardy (Russell Gray)
Shepherd Group (Richard Wilson)
First Section:
Sunday 16th March
Draw 12 noon
Commence after Fourth Section results
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth
Ashington Colliery (David Kendall)
Cockerton Prize Silver (TBA)
GT Group Peterlee (Joe Cook)
Kirbymoorside Town (John Woodward)
South Milford Brass (David Smith)
York Railway Institute (Chris Hirst)
Second Section:
Saturday 15th March
Draw 1.30pm
Commence after Third Section results
Adjudicator: David Hirst
Billingham Silver (Vaughan Evans)
Durham Miners Association (Jason Smith)
Lockwood Brass (John Roberts)
Murton Colliery (Lee Morris)
NASUWT Concert (Brian Tait)
Ripon City (Malcolm Dibb)
Third Section:
Saturday 15th March
Draw 10.30am
Commence 12 noon
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth
Backworth Colliery (Colin Harris)
Dunston Silver (Steven Archer)
East Riding of Yorkshire (Ian Scott)
Ellington Colliery (Jonathan Fenwick)
Ferryhill Town (Andrew Hall)
Houghton Brass (Tom Gibson)
Marske Brass (Alun Prest)
Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes (Paul Murrell)
Trimdon Concert Brass (W Harrison)
Fourth Section:
Sunday 16th March
Draw: 8.30am
Commence 10.00am
Adjudicator: David Hirst
Barton Community (Garry Oglesby)
Bearpark and Esh Colliery (Tim Oldroyd)
Burneside Brass (Laurie Johnson)
Craghead (Andy Hunter)
Jayess Newbiggin (TBA)
Knaresborough Silver (Steve Morland)
North Skelton (Denis Noble)
Penrith Town (Ian Butterworth)
Skipton Brass (Adrian Lowes)
Swinton and District Excelsior (Robin Rutter)
