The latest World of Brass – 4barsrest.com Rankings show some significant changes in the wake of the first few weeks of the contest season, during which Black Dyke won the British Open title for the 30th time and moved up to second place overall, with Flowers making its first ever appearance in the top ten following its highest-ever finish in Birmingham.

Last weekend saw success for Filton Concert, Marple, Ebbw Valley and Northop bands at the Section 1-4 Finals of the National Championships, with corresponding rises for all the bands that were successful in Cheltenham causing a number of major advances up the table.

The other contests held since the last update were:

Land O' Burns — won by Whitburn;
Exmouth Festival of Brass — won by Roche Brass;
Dr. Martin Wainstones Cup — won by Reg Vardy;
Welsh Miners Welfare — won by AW Parker (Drybrook);
Hardraw Scar — won by Hade Edge;
NEMBBA Contest — won by Shirebrook Miners Welfare;
Swiss Open — won by Brass Band 13 Etoiles.

The next update will follow the National Final at the Royal Albert Hall, but such is the strength of the ever-consistent Cory these days that it is in an almost unassailable position in terms of retaining the end-of-year number one position that it has held since 2007.

Top 10 bands

1. Cory
2. Black Dyke
3. Tredegar
4. Foden's
5. Eikanger-Bjørsvik
6. Flowers
7. Brighouse and Rastrick
8. Burgermusik Luzern
9. Grimethorpe Colliery
10. Co-operative Funeralcare

To view all the ranked bands, go to:
www.4barsrest.com/rankings/default.asp