*
banner

Tuba Time Lords link up for Desford Open challenge

Two of the ageless masters of tuba time and space have teamed up with Desford for the British Open this year.

Desford team
  Time is still on their side for Deano Morley and Simon Gresswell

Desford Colliery Band will be literally stepping back in time for this year's British Open challenge with two BBb tuba 'Time Lords' providing the foundation of their Symphony Hall challenge.

Thanks to the assistance and support of Yamaha Musical Instruments, the legendary multi-award winning tuba twins of Dean Morley and Simon Gresswell be will re-united on Peter Graham's fearsome test-piece in Birmingham.

1987

The duo first played together as at Desford when the band won the National Championship of Great Britain title way back in 1987 under James Watson, and have since gone on to probably become the most decorated pair of BBb tuba players in the banding world.

Dean recently made the long haul trip from his home in Brisbane with his mouthpiece safely tucked into his hand luggage, with Yamaha kindly providing him with a brand new Neo tuba on his arrival to match that of his colleague.

It's fantastic to be able to sit next to Deano again. Within a few notes it was like being back at Desford under James Watson all those years agoSimon Gresswell

Mirror

Simon Gresswell told 4BR: "It's fantastic to be able to sit next to Deano again. Within a few notes it was like being back at Desford under James Watson all those years ago — although when we looked in the mirror certain things about us have changed a bit!

Our thanks go to Yamaha for the help and assistance and we hope we can roll back the clock on the weekend and help Desford to a great result."

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    


Besson

4BR Christmas Quiz

December 26 • How good is your brass band knowledge? Good enough to win a cornet and goodies for a young player?


Special Award

2025 4BR Special Award: Richard Marshall

December 25 • One of the finest cornet players of this or any other brass band generation is the recipient of the 4BR Special Award.


Band of the Year

2025 4BR Band of the Year

December 25 • One band once again stamped its class and authority on the banding world this year — with the promise of even more to come in 2026.


Conductor

2025 4BR Conductor of the Year

December 25 • One conductor stood out on the podium from their counterparts this year.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Dobcross Silver Band

December 29 • We are accepting applications for a 2nd BARITONE PLAYER after the Area contest in March.. As current NW Area 3rd Section Champions and 2025 National Champions we start our journey in the 2nd Section in 2026! Come and join our great Euph/Bari section!


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Duncan Wilson

Bmus(hons), LGSMD
Conductor, Adjudicator (member AoBBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd