The North West Area Brass Bands Association (NWABBA) has announced that BMI The Highfield Hospital has agreed to be the main sponsor for its forthcoming Rochdale Festival of Brass.

Fantastic advert

The event will incorporate the Rochdale Contest and new Rochdale Youth Contest and will take place at Rochdale Town Hall on the weekend of the 24th/25th October.

With an encouraging entry of seven bands in the Youth Section and 37 bands across five adult sections on the Sunday, the whole weekend promises to be a fantastic advert for brass banding in the region — further boosted by sponsors who told 4BR that they were delighted to support to the event.

Brilliant community event

Paul McGaughey, Executive Director told 4BR: "We are very happy to be able to support this brilliant community event. It is one of Rochdale's annual highlights and attracts some of the country's best brass bands.

The Youth Contest will also attract a lot of attention and give younger players the chance to put their talents on show before very influential members of the brass band world.

We are honoured to be able to support the Festival and are sure it will be a major success."

Shot in the arm

Speaking on behalf of the association, contest organiser Richard Milton added: "We have had a great deal of interest from local businesses to support the festival which has grown out of the Rochdale Contest resurrected last year.

The support from BMI The Highfield Hospital has been a real shot in the arm and means we can move forward with confidence that the weekend of events will be a huge success."

We are very happy to be able to support this brilliant community event. It is one of Rochdale's annual highlights and attracts some of the country's best brass bandsPaul McGaughey, Executive Director

Time and place

The Youth Contest is scheduled for Saturday afternoon commencing at 1.00pm with an evening concert at 7.00pm. The Rochdale Contest on the Sunday begins at 9.00am with the first of the five senior sections.