*
banner

Scottish contesting set for Borders controls

The Scottish Borders Brass Band Association's entertainment contest in Langholm will mark the return to live competition north of the border.

sbbba
  The popular contest marks the return of live competition in Scotland

Live contesting makes a welcome return in Scotland on Saturday 6th November when 13 bands take to the stage in the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association's entertainment contest in the Buccleuch Centre in Langholm.

The contest is the first to be held in Scotland since the Scottish Championships in Perth in March 2020 and will also mark the return to live competition since the beginning of the COVID pandemic for most bands.

Safety

This will be the 19th Borders contest and members of the SBBBA committee have been working hard to ensure the event will run as smoothly as possible with the minimum of risk to the health and safety of players and audience.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The contest has a restricted entry to allow more space and time between bands and has used the experience of the National Championships of Great Britain when Langholm Band witnessed first-hand the steps taken by Kapitol Promotions to enable the competition to be held successfully."

Start time

The contest commences at 10.30am with the last band due on stage around 5.00pm and results expected about an hour later.

Adjudicators for the day are John Doyle and Martin Armstrong and the compere will be Alasdair Hutton. Entry to the contest is £5.00 payable on the door.

Each band will receive a written adjudication and a voice over adjudication with a recording of their performance which will be provided by Nigel Durno from Just Music.

the contest has a restricted entry to allow more space and time between bands and has used the experience of the National Championships to enable the competition to be held successfullyorganisers

Competing bands

Joining the hosts Langholm Town Band are Annan Town, Coalburn Intermediate, Hawick Saxhorn, Galashiels Town (non contesting), Irvine & Dreghorn, Jedforest Instrumental, Lochgelly, MacTaggart Scott Loanhead, NASUWT Concert, Peebles Burgh, Selkirk Silver and St Ronans Silver.

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    


Elgar festival of brass

Top trio attracts audiences to Malvern

June 7 • There are still tickets left if you want to enjoy Cory, Black Dyke and Foden's in performance in Malvern


Perth

Entries now open for Scottish Festival of Brass brace

June 7 • Bands can now enter the popular Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield and Scottish Open sponsored by Besson.


Cambrian Brass

New band to be formed in Aberystwyth

June 7 • Cambrian Brass to provide a welcoming, inclusive home for players with the aim of competing at the Welsh Area in 2026.


City of Hull

Brooks and Beatty take dual baton role at City of Hull

June 7 • Daniel Brooks and Jonathan Beatty will spearhead the artistic and contesting focus of City of Hull Band.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Chinnor Silver

June 7 • Our Community Band is meeting on Monday {9th} and would welcome anyone who fancies an extra friendly rehearsal,with coffee and cake involved.. We rehearse in our bandroom at 11am its free and it open to all abilities.. No commitment required.


Epping Forest Band

June 6 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Chelmsford Silver Bnad

June 6 • Front row cornet, solo horn & trombone players. We are a friendly, active non competition band established 75 years performing regularly in Chelmsford & Essex. Rehearsals averaging 26 players on Wednesday evenings at Broomfield Methodist Church Chelmsford


Lt Col David Barringer MBE

BMus (Hons)
Conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd