*
banner

Strong field prepares for high Wire challenges

There is a strong turn-out of contenders ready to test their early season form at the Brass in the Wire and British Open Youth in the Wire contests in Warrington later this month.

Parr Hall
  The competition will take place at Parr Hall and Pyramid in Warrington

There will be a fine turn-out of competing bands at the forthcoming 2020 Brass in the Wire 2020 & British Open Youth in the Wire Championships to be held at Parr Hall and Pyramid in Warrington on Sunday 26th January.

The event continues to enjoy generous support from R. Banks & Son (Funerals Ltd) under proprietor Brian Halliwell and marks a return to the venue that hosted the contest in 1983 and 1984.

British Open link

A new initiative in 2020 will see the Championship and First Section events combined, although separate prizes will be given to the 'Highest Placed' bands in each section. Qualification to the British Open Spring Festival remains the same.

Championship Section:


Parr Hall
Test Piece choices: A Tale As Yet Untold (Philip Sparke) or Legacy for Brass Band (Tom Davoren)
Adjudicator: Paul Andrews and Sandy Smith
Start: 1.00pm (approx)

City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey)
Crofton Silver (tba)
Flixton (Matthew Ryan)
Foresters Brass (Gareth Brindle)
Freckleton (Matt Shaw)
Harrogate (Leigh Baker)
Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby)
Hepworth (Ryan Watkins)
Lindley (Mike Golding)
Longridge (Mark Peacock)
Mossley (Duncan Byers)
Newstead Brass (Jim Davies)
Roberts Bakery (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Shirebrook Miners Welfare (Jim Henson)
Thoresby Colliery (Mike Howley)
York Railway Institute (David Lancaster)
Yorkshire Imperial David Urquhart Travel (Garry Hallas)

Second Section:


The Exhibition Hall — Pyramid
Test Pieces: The Golden Sabre — Tales of the Hussar-Poet, Denis Davydov (Kit Turnbull)
Adjudicators: Ian Brownbill and Sara Groarke-Booth
Start: 2.30pm (approx)

BD1 Brass (Lee Skipsey)
Crewe Brass (Matt Pithers)
Eccleston Brass (John Wood)
Farnworth & Walkden (Dan Price)
Old Hall Brass (John North)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW B (Alistair Burrows)
Slaithwaite (Matt Hindle)

Third Section:


The Exhibition Hall — Pyramid
Test Piece: Endurance (Andrew Baker)
Adjudicators: Ian Brownbill and Mareika Gray
Start: 1.00pm (approx)

Audley Brass (Tom Hancock)
City of Chester (Matthew Birkett)
Pilling Jubilee Silver (Steve Hartly)
Thornton Cleveleys (Dave Houghton)

Fourth Section:


The Exhibition Hall — Pyramid
Test Pieces: Neverland (Christopher Bond) and A Bournemouth Suite (Benjamin Tubb)
Adjudicators: Ian Brownbill and Mareika Gray
Start: 10.30am

Brindle (Matthew Balson)
Dobcross Silver (Jason M Smith)
Golborne (Joshua Hughes)
Red Admiral Brass (Stuart Barton)
Skelmersdale Prize (Ben Coulson)
Stacksteads (Fred Bowker)

The British Open Youth in the Wire Festival


The Parr Hall
Own Choice 20 minute programme
Adjudicators: John Doyle and Sara Groarke- Booth
Start: 10.00am

Elland Silver Youth
Oldham Music Centre Youth
Pemberton Old Wigan DW Youth
St Helens Youth
Youth Brass 2000

The results and prize presentation will take place at the conclusion of each section.

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    


Brighouse

Report & Result: 2025 British Open Championship

September 7 • A fait accompli for Brighouse & Rastrick and Prof David King as they are inspired by Shakespeare and Prokofiev to claim the happiest of Symphony Hall endings on 'Star Crossed Lovers'.


Band Supplies

Band Supplies at the British Open

September 6 • Go up and meet one of the best blokes in the banding business world and he will make sure you get all the help you need for the best deals.


4BR Review

Recap on the 4BR British Open preview

September 6 • If you missed the live broadcast British Open preview on 4BR then you can just click and enjoy it again ahead of the action at Symphony Hall.


Mead

Why not be a judge at the Open this year?

September 6 • If you are following the 'Sar Crossed Lovers' action at Symphony Hall today, let us know who you think has won.


Contest: 171st British Open

Saturday 6 September • Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


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


Otley Brass Association

September 7 • Front Row Cornet. -. Otley Brass Band are keen to recruit a 5th member for their front row cornets (position negotiable).. . This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving band of 30+ players under the leadership of our newly appointed MD, Martyn Beecham


wantage silver band

September 6 • Wantage Band (Championship Section) have vacancies for a Bb BASS PLAYER and THIRD CORNET to complete their line up. Plenty of great concerts from now until Christmas with the Welsh Open, L&SC Area, British Open Grand Shield and Whit Friday in 2026.


wantage silver band

September 6 • Positions vacant: wantage silver band: Wantage Community Brass (non-competitive) are looking to recruit a new Musical Director. The group is unique in that the average age is almost certainly around 70! They rehearse on Tue from 4pm and Thu from 7pm.


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd