*
banner

Smithills send shoppers packing

An M&S musical tradition from Smithills helps shoppers spend a little more of their hard earned cash, and the band gain extra fund raising...

Smithills
 

The Smithills School Senior Band under MD Chris Wormald carried on something of a regular Christmas tradition this year, with their regular outdoor carol playing at their local Marks & Spencer store in Bolton.

Two decades

The band has been providing festive music there for close on two decades — with many former players now regular family shoppers there!

The band performs seasonal as well as concert repertoire, and this year raised a further £6,000 to add to its fund raising coffers. After the last concert this year, the band even sped off just in time to give an evening concert back at their school.

The commitment and attitude of the players is phenomenal, as is the standard of their playing at every sessionMD, Chris Wormald

Entertaining

Chris Wormald told 4BR: “In addition to entertaining the shoppers, fundraising and meeting countless former players who know we will be outside M&S as they now go shopping themselves, nothing improves the band’s stamina like our marathon December weekends.

The commitment and attitude of the players is phenomenal, as is the standard of their playing at every session.”

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    


Smiles

All Scottish smiles in Strathallan

April 24 • The youngsters and staff on the recent National Youth Brass Band of Scotland Easter Course certainly enjoyed themselves.


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: 'Mid all the traffic (Traditional arr. Andy Wareham)

April 24 • An inventive new arrangement of a classic work to add to any concert programme


Brass at the Castle

Brass at the Castle ready to offer family friendly music making

April 24 • There will be plenty of great brass band attractions at Brass at the Castle in May.


Brett Baker

Lydbrook return for Baker

April 24 • Dr Brett Baker is set to become the new MD of Lydbrook Band.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Saturday 10 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Linthwaite Band

April 21 • Linthwaite Band is a 4th section contesting Band , with a busy Summer of engagements coming up, and are looking to complete our friendly team, with a back row 2nd cornet player, and are keen to fill the position as soon as possible.


Chinnor Silver

April 21 • Required Percussion and Bass players (Eb or Bb). We are a friendly and ambitious band and have successfully qualified for the second section national finals and also earned promotion to the 1st section in 2026. Come along and help complete our happy team


Gordon Eddison

B Ed (Hons). Member AoBBA.
Conductor and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd