*
banner

Bumper fields to kick off 2017 season at Butlins

There will be plenty of bands working hard over the New Year as they prepare to open the 2017 contest season at the Butlins Mineworkers Championship in Skegness.

Butlins
  There are bumper fields taking part in the 2017 Butlins Mineworkers Championship

The line-up of competing bands that will kick off the 2017 contest season at the Butlins Mineworkers Championship in Skegness has been announced.

January boost

Eight top flight Championship Section contenders will battle it out for the Warwick Vase Trophy and the chance to bag a January bank balance boost of a potential £11,000.

They will have to impress the adjudication team of soprano cornet legend Peter Roberts, Black Dyke principal cornet Richard Marshall with their own-choice set-work selections on the Saturday, followed by their entertainment programmes the next day, where Peter is joined by Cory euph star Glyn Williams and entertainment judges Derek Southcott and Jim Davies.

The defending champion is the Flowers Band who will be looking to make it four wins in a row under MD Paul Holland.

Bumper fields

There is massive field of 24 bands taking on the challenge of Malcolm Arnold's 'Fantasy for Brass Band' in the First Section, as they look to try and catch the ears of Derek Southcott and Mark Wilkinson, whilst another bumper field of 18 bands will tackle Paul Sharman's 'Inclusion' to find fancy with Brian Rostron and Allan Holdsworth in the Second Section.

There is also a solid look about the contenders in the Third Section as they get to grips with the engaging set-work, 'The Lion and The Rose' by Philip Wilby to impress judges Kevin Wadsworth and Philip Littlemore, whilst there should be plenty of good playing to compare and contrast for Paul Norley and Brett Baker with the own-choice selection from the contenders in the Fourth Section.

Brilliant youth entertainment

And if you are looking to enjoy plenty of brilliant entertainment playing on a Sunday morning, (including the welcome appearance of the Bavarian Youth Brass Band under their MD Benjamin Markl) then make sure you get along to the brace of Youth contests where you will not be disappointed for sure.

Further details and a preview of the event will be posted on 4BR in the run up to the event.

Eight top flight Championship Section contenders will battle it out for the Warwick Vase Trophy and the chance to bag a January bank balance boost of a potential £11,0004BR

Contests:

Championship Section:


Venue: Centre Stage

Saturday 14th January (Test-Piece)
Draw: 11.30am (commences after the 4th Section)

Set Work: Own Choice
Adjudicators: Peter Roberts and Richard Marshall

Sunday 15th January (Entertainment)
Draw: Saturday Evening
Commences 10.30am
Adjudicators: Peter Roberts and Glyn Williams (music), Derek Southcott and Jim Davies (entertainment).

1. Desford Colliery (LCITWF) (Michael Fowles)
2. Flowers (Paul Holland)
3. Friary Guildford (Chris King)
4. Haverhill Silver (Mark Ager)
5. Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea)
6. Redbridge Brass (Jeremy Wise)
7. Virtuosi GUS (Adam Cooke)
8. Woodfalls (Dr Robert Childs)

First Section:


Venue: Reds
Saturday 14th January
Draw: 8.30am
Commences: 10.00am

Set Work: Fantasy for Brass Band (Malcolm Arnold)
Adjudicators: Derek Southcott and Mark Wilkinson

1. Bedford Town (Steve Phillips)
2. Cawston (Leigh Sharpe)
3. City of Cambridge (Peter Bassano)
4. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
5. Enderby (Simon Gresswell)
6. Foresters Brass (John Davis)
7. Gresley Colliery (David Purkiss)
8. Harborough (Brad Turnbull)
9. Hebden Bridge (Rob Savage)
10. Ibstock Brick Brass (Simon Willis)
11. Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) (Richard Windle)
12. Kibworth (David Holling)
13. Kidlington Concert (Duncan Wilson)
14. Knottinglley Silver (Kevin Belcher)
15. Langley (Cliff Parker)
16. Leicestershire Co-operative SMW (Graham Jacklin)
17. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
18. Old Silkstone (Sam Fisher)
19. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ben Dixon)
20. Rushden Town (Adele Hudson)
21. Skelmanthorpe (Jim Davies)
22. Stannington (Derek Renshaw)
23. Colchester (David Maddocks)
24. Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (John Roberts)

Second Section:


Venue: Royal Arthur Suite
Saturday 14th January
Draw: 8.30am
Commences: 10.30am

Set Work: Inclusion (Paul Sharman)
Adjudicators: Brian Rostron and Allan Holdsworth

1. Besses Boys (James Holt)
2. Bodmin Town (John Maines)
3. City of Coventry Brass (Stephen Cooper)
4. Crofton Silver (Dean Jones)
5. Darwen Brass (Steve Hartley)
6. Ellington Colliery (Jonathon Fenwick)
7. Epping Forest (Keith Schroeter)
8. Haydock (Mark Quinn)
9. Hoover (Bolton) Craig Mann
10. Hucknall & Linby MC (Paul Whyley)
11. Milton Keynes Brass (tba)
12. Old Hall Brass (John North)
13. Pemberton Old Wigan DW 'B' (Mike Golding)
14. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Geof Benson)
15. Skelmanthorpe Prospect (Philip Garlick)
16. Soham Comrades (Jayne Murrill)
17. Waterbeach Brass (Andrew Kershaw)
18. Yiewsley & West Drayton (Christopher Cole)

Third Section:


Venue: Crazy Horse
Saturday 14th January
Draw: 8.30am
Commences: 11.00am

Set Work: The Lion and The Rose (Philip Wilby)
Adjudicators: Kevin Wadsworth and Philip Littlemore

1. Amington (Malcolm Read)
2. Audley Brass (Tom Hancock)
3. Brighton and Hove City Brass (Matthew Hackett)
4. Dinnington Colliery (Lyndon Bolt)
5. Dodworth Colliery MW (Eliot J. Darwin)
6. Dronfield Genquip (Simon Kerwin)
7. East Coast Brass (Paul Speed)
8. Farnworth & Walkden (Matt Shaw)
9. Greenfield (Tom Haslam)
10. Ifton Colliery (Scott R. Lloyd)
11. Maltby Miners Welfare (Terry Clifford)
12. Shirland Welfare (Lyndon Cooper)
13. Stamford Brass (Robert Prew)

Fourth Section:


Venue: Centre Stage
Saturday 14th January
Draw: 8.30am
Commences: 9.30am

Set Work: Own Choice
Adjudicators: Paul Norley and Brett Baker

1. Banovallum Brass (Horncastle) (Steve Ingham)
2. BMP Europe Ltd. (Goodshaw) (Joshua Hughes)
3. Crystal Palace (Michael Gray)
4. Great Yarmouth Brass (Colin Swaep)
5. Kirkby Colliery Welfare (Neville Buxton)
6. Sale Brass (Alan Seymour)
7. Sherwood Forest Brass (Christine Lippeatt)
8. Syston (Chris Banks)
9. Thurcroft Welfare (Matthew Wright)
10. Whitwell Brass (Ryan Stacey)
11. Woodbridge Excelsior (Chris Lewis-Garnham)

Youth Section:


Venue: Reds
Sunday 15th January
Pre-drawn:
Commences after Unregistered Section

Set Work: Own Choice
Adjudicator: Martin Heartfield

1. Enderby Youth (Trevor Hounsome)
2. Gresley Colliery Youth (Duncan Jackson)
3. Bavarian Youth Brass (Benjamin Markl)
4. Shirland Youth (Lyndon Cooper)
5. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)

Unregistered Section:


Venue: Reds
Sunday 15th January
Pre-drawn
Commences: 12.00 noon

Set Work: Own Choice
Adjudicator: Martin Heartfield

1. Shirland Training (Jack Newborough)
2. Wigston Enterprise (Matthew Davis)

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    


Royston

Balsom return to Royston gains BBC coverage

September 16 • Award winning trumpeter recently returned to her brass banding roots as she prepared for her final concert appearance at the Last Night of the Proms.


Red Admiral

Live stream for Red Admiral watching

September 16 • If you can't make it to the Red Admiral Entertainment contest later this month you can sit back an enjoy it at home instead.


BBE Podcast

Brass Band Podcast Season 2: The Next Generation

September 16 • The second season of BBE's popular podcast series returns exploring the themes of the future of brass bands, leadership, and music-making.


Muriel Newsome

Muriel Newsome funeral details announced

September 16 • The funeral of Muriel Newsome will take place on 24th September.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band

September 16 • Currently 3rd Section National Champions and subsequent promotion to SECOND SECTION in 2026, we aim to add another PERCUSSIONIST to our award winning section. Dynamic all rounder preferred. You’ll love it here! Great rehearsals, gigs and socials!


Audley Brass

September 14 • Audley Brass (First Section National Finalists 2025) are seeking a first class PRINCIPAL EUPHONIUM. We have some very exciting events coming up including 5 epic beer festival nights and Wychavon Festival of Brass entertainment contest.


Longridge Band

September 13 • Longridge Band invite applications for a SOPRANO CORNET player. We are a friendly, committed band, who enjoy a good balance of concerts and contests throughout the year.


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd