*
banner

Needham appeal boosted by stars

Much needed funds have been raise for Brain Tumour Research by a host of brass bands stars under the baton of Alan Needham.

Alan Needham
 

The ‘Wear a Hat’ Day initiative set up by the highly respected brass band conductor Alan Needham has been hailed as a great success after 48 brass band p[layers from no less than 10 different bands
presented an All Star Brass Concert in aid of Brain Tumour Research.

Charity boost

Current and former players from Brighouse & Rastrick, Grimethorpe, Carlton Main, EYMS, Fairey, Foss Dyke, Resdev Market Rasen, Hatfield, Dodworth, Blidworth and Virtuosi GUS joined forces in an evening that raised £2,580 for the charity.

Solos from Mark Walters, Kevin Holdgate, Smain Mokrane, David Horn, Simon Oates, stunned a packed house in a three and a half hour marathon in St Peter's Church in Doncaster.

Solos from Mark Walters, Kevin Holdgate, Smain Mokrane, David Horn, Simon Oates, stunned a packed house in a three and a half hour marathon in St Peter's Church in Doncaster4BR

Testament

Alan, who is currently undergoing chemoradiation to arrest the growth of his brain tumour, told 4BR: "It is testament to my friends and colleagues in the brass band community, that they came together to give their time for this concert — and the sum raised as a result is simply magnificent."

For further information go to: www.braintumourresearch.org

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    


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Grand Shield

May 3 • Milnrow claims the Grand Shield honours to return to the British Open with Hepworth joining them.


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Senior Cup

May 2 • Kirkintilloch claims the Senior Cup honours as Rainford, Tongwynlais Temperance and East London Brass join them in the Grand Shield in 2027.


2026 Spring Festival

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Senior Trophy

May 2 • Sandhurst Silver claims the Senior Trophy honours as Sovereign Brass, Unite Scotland Kinneil and Yorkshire Imperial are also promoted to the Senior Cup.


Fleetwood

Fleetwood back on demand

May 1 • You can enjoy all 32 performances from the recent Fleetwood Contest on demand


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


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

May 3 • The band requires an Eb bass player for our First section band conducted by Jack Fisher. . We have a varied and expanding programme of events throughout the year, including our very well attended, themed concerts.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

May 3 • The band requires a Cornet player (Position negotiable) for our First section band conducted by Jack Fisher.. We have a varied and expanding programme of events throughout the year, including our very well attended, themed concerts.


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Bb Basses. With Colin Dance now appointed as our MD and our other Bb Bass leaving due to work commitments, we have openings for two Bb basses. We are a friendly community (4th section?) band with a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the Park.


Sam Fisher

BA (Hons), PGCE, Dip.ABRSM
Conductor, Adjudicator (AoBBA), Composer/Arranger, Cornet & Flugelhorn Soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd