The welcome return of the Rochdale Contest has proved to be a popular addition to the banding calendar, with the organisers, the North West Amateur Brass Band Association, reporting that 28 bands will take part in the event that takes place on Sunday 26th October.

Music making

The beautiful gothic surroundings of Rochdale Town Hall will reverberate to the sound of brass banding music making from 9.30am, when seven bands will compete for the first prize of £450 in the Fourth Section.

This will be closely followed by the competitors in each of the other sections who will looking to gain their share of a total prize pot of £3,400, courtesy of judges, Andrew Warriner (Fourth & Second Sections) and Ian Brownbill (Third & Championship/First)

Great day

NWABBA Chairman Richard Milton told 4BR: "This promises to be a great day of music making with an array of own choice test pieces played by some of the best bands from across Lancashire and Yorkshire."

Tickets for the contest will be available on the day priced at £5.

This promises to be a great day of music making with an array of own choice test pieces played by some of the best bands from across Lancashire and YorkshireNWABBA Chairman Richard Milton

Championship/First Section:
Diggle
Haslingden & Helmshore
Longridge
Milnrow
Pemberton Old DW Wigan
Skelmanthorpe
Wardle Anderson
Whitworth Vale and Healey

Second Section:
Besses Boys
Delph
Hazel Grove
Middleton
Pemberton Old Wigan DW
Skelmanthorpe Prospect

Third Section:
Dinnington Colliery
Littleborough
Lofthouse 2000
Lostock Hall Memorial
Parr St Helens
Slaithwaite
Stalybridge Old

Fourth Section:
Blackley
Denton Brass
Greenfield
Pilling Jubilee Silver
Sale Brass
Skelmersdale Prize
Tarleton Brass