The list of competing bands that will battle it out for the qualification places on offer for the Royal Albert Hall and Cheltenham at the North of England Brass Band Championships in Durham have been announced.

Fantastic weekend

The contest weekend will take place at the Gala Theatre, in the heart of the historic city of Durham, on the weekend of the 14th/15th March, with two places up for grabs in the Championship Section. Two bands will be invited from the First, Second Third and Fourth Sections to represent the North of England at Cheltenham in September.

Although there are three fewer bands this year, the 38 entries s will perform in a highly competitive event. This year sees Easingwold Town from North Yorkshire compete in the Fourth Section.

Regional Secretary, Tony Griffiths told 4BR: "We look forward to another strong line-up in all the sections and we are in for a fantastic weekend of brass music. We especially extend a warm welcome to Easingwold Town Band returning to the contest."

Time and place

The contest starts with the Second Section on Saturday at 11.00am, followed by the Fourth and First Sections. Sunday commences with the Third Section, starting at 10.30am, concluding with the Championship Section.

For more information: www.noebrassband.co.uk

We look forward to another strong line-up in all the sections and we are in for a fantastic weekend of brass musicRegional Secretary, Tony Griffiths

Championship Section:

Adjudicators: Sheona Wade & David Hirst

Easington Colliery (Daniel Brooks)
Fishburn (Lee Skipsey)
City of Hull (Stig Maersk)
Harrogate (Leigh Baker)
NASUWT Riverside (Prof. Nick Childs)
Reg Vardy (Russell Gray)
Shepherd Group (Richard Wilton)
Westoe (Aidan Hodgson)

First Section:

Adjudicators: Sandy Smith & Sam Fisher

GT Peterlee (Ian Langthorne)
Houghton (TBA)
Kirkbymoorside Town (Sarah Woodward)
North Skelton Band (Stephen Craig)
Ripon City (Mark Sidwell)
York Railway Institute (David Lancaster)

Second Section:

Adjudicators: Sandy Smith & Sheona Wade

Ashington Colliery (Nigel Stedman)
Barton Community (Gary Oglesby)
Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Philip Tait)
Cockerton (Andrew Hunter)
Durham Miners (Stuart Gray)
Dunston Silver (Fraser Hodgson)
Felling (Jason Smith)
Ferryhill Town (Tom Madsison)
NASUWT Concert (Andrew Hall)

Third Section:

Adjudicators: Sam Fisher & Sarah Groarke-Booth

Cleethorpes (Brian Harper)
Ellington Colliery (Clare Winter)
East Riding of Yorkshire (Frank Hoyland)
Jayess Newbiggin (Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale)
Knaresborough (Nicolas Garret)
Swinton & District (Robin Rutter)
Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)
Trimdon Concert (William Harrison)

Fourth Section:

Adjudicators: Sarah Groarke-Booth & Alan Bourne

Backworth Colliery (Calum Hartwell)
Billingham Silver (Vaughan Evans)
Craghead Colliery (Steven Goddard)
Easingwold Town (Alistair Shipman)
Marske (James Chisholm)
Penrith Town (Ian Butterworth)
Spennymoor Town (Fiona Casewell)