*
banner

Health boost for North West banding

Sponsorship from a private hospital gives the North West Area Brass Band Association contest at Rochdale a healthy shot in the arm...

Boost
 

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.

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    


wELSH aREA

Draws & Results: 2025 Welsh Regional Championships

March 15 • Parc & Dare, Deiniolin Silver and Holywell claim the first titles of the weekend in Swansea


Stevenage

Draws & Results: 2025 London & Southern Counties Area Championships

March 15 • Kidlington Concert Brass and Cobham claim the first titles of the Stevenage weekend.


cIVIC cENTRE

Result: 2025 Midlands Second Section Area Championship

March 15 • Carlton Brass claims the Second Section honours in Bedworth


Derek rENSHAW

Renshaw adds experience to MD role at Hade Edge

March 15 • Three time National winner Derek Renshaw brings his experience to the role of MD at Hade Edge Band.


Regent Hall Concerts - RAM Trumpet Ensembles

Friday 14 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Wigfield Brass Quintet

Friday 14 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 15 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Contest: Midlands Regional Brass Band Championships

Saturday 15 March • Bedworth Civic Hall, High Street CV12 8NF


Contest: Welsh Regional Championships

Saturday 15 March • Brangwn Hall, Guildhall Rd S, Swansea SA1 4PE


Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass

March 15 • Merseyside/Wirral based. We are a friendly 4th section band with regular jobs and socials throughout the year! Looking for a Principal Cornet, Cornets(position negotiable), Flugal and Trombone. All Players welcome! Instruments available to use!


The Marple Band

March 13 • Cornet ( positions negotiable),baritone and kit percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new musical journey with our MD Nick Birch.


Rushden Town Band

March 12 • Back Row Cornet - due to a change in job, the band has a vacancy for a back row cornet. The band has a lovely atmosphere, and has regular jobs throughout the year as well as taking part in at least two contests.


David Frame


Bass/Tenor Trombone Player, Adjudicator (Member of AoBBA) Occasional Conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd