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Report & Results: 2025 NEMBBA Contest

Pre-regional boosts for Marsden, Lindley, Barnsley Brass, Rode Hall Silver and Matlock as Long Eaton's youngsters also enjoy their spotlight moment.

Marsden Silver
  Marsden Silver Band took the top section honours

Marsden Silver gained a huge boost of confidence ahead of their Yorkshire Regional Championship challenge in Huddersfield in March as they secured victory in a three-way White Rose scrap for the North East Midlands BBA title in South Normanton on the weekend.

Diversion battle

Under the baton of Leigh Baker their rendition of the Area set-work 'Diversions' claimed the honours ahead of Yorkshire Imperial, with Horbury Victoria in third.

In addition to taking home the Arthur Levick Memorial Trophy, their soprano player Louise Belton claimed the 'Best Cornet' prize for her outstanding contribution on the daunting soprano part on the Bourgeois work.

Both Yorkshire Imperial and Horbury Victoria will also have taken positives form their performances (Annie Wilkins of 'Imps' taking the 'Best Euphonium' accolade), whilst there were encouraging performances from the Midlanders of Blidworth and Langley.

Lindley boost

Lindley Band will also head to Huddersfield on the weekend of the 1st & 2nd March boosted by victory on the deceptively difficult First Section Area set-work, 'Introduction, Elegy and Caprice' by Morley Calvert. MD Alan Widdop used all his years of experience to structure a fine account — one aided by the 'Best Soloist' contribution of soprano player Richard Jones.

The Midland Area duo of City of Coventry Brass and Hucknall & Linby claimed the podium spots.

Barnsley take-over

There was also a Yorkshire battle in the Second Section as Barnsley Brass led by Ben Brickles pipped defending champion Hatfield & Askern Colliery playing Oliver Waespi's 'Friendly Take-over'. The experienced Scott Bennett aided the winner's performance with his 'Best Horn' contribution.

Both will now look to secure their place at Cheltenham on the same work in Huddersfield. Third place went to Shirland Miners Welfare.

Rode Hall win

Rode Hall Silver and Ken Mackintosh will head to Blackpool in high spirits as they claimed the Third Section honours playing the Area set-work, 'Arkansas' — and off the number 1 draw. Their excellent cornet player Anna Whitehurst secured the 'Best Cornet' accolade.

Midlanders Whitwell was second with Yorkshire challengers and defending champion Dronfield in third.

Matlock success

Matlock took the Fourth Section honours for the fourth time since 2019 — going one better than last year in the process, as they took home the Gainsborough Band Challenge Cup aided by the 'Best Euphonium' contribution of Mark Cottee.

There were also solid 'I, Daedalus' performances from podium finishers Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) and Moulton '77.

Adjudicator Mareika Gray also enjoyed the performance of the talented players of Long Eaton Silver Prize Training Band conducted by Sharon Stansfield — including 'Best Instrumentalist' Henry Siviter on cornet and 'Youngest Player' Rowan Nicolson aged 8.

The contest organisers thanked the help they received in putting on a successful event, incouding both judges, Marie Smith and Patricia Hope for running registration and Mike Allcock and Emma Palmer who managed the movement of bands. There were also a host of volunteer helpers, equipment suppliers and sponsors.

Results:


Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Marsden Silver Prize (Leigh Baker)
2. Yorkshire Imperial (Ian McElligott)
3. Horbury Victoria (Duncan Beckley MBE)
4. Blidworth Welfare (Gary Perrin)
5. Langley (Cliff Parker)

Best Euphonium: Annie Wilkins (Yorkshire Imperial)
Best Soprano: Louise Belton (Marsden Silver Prize Band)

First Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Lindley (Alan Widdop)
2. City of Coventry Brass (Lee Woodward)
3. Hucknall & Linby MC (Simon Greswell)
4. Audley Brass (Tom Hancock)
5. Stamford Brass (Julian Bright)
6. Chapeltown Silver Prize (Gary Hallas)
7. Thoresby Colliery (Luke Pallister)
8. Oddfellows Brass (John Davis)

Best Soprano: Richard Jones (Lindley)

Second Section:

Adjudicator: Mareika Gray

1. Barnsley Brass (Ben Brickles)
2. Hatfield & Askern Colliery (Richard Marshall)
3. Shirland Miners Welfare (Lynden Cooper)
4. Leicestershire Coop (Ben Hewlett-Davies)
5. Strata Brass (David Holling)
6. Shirebrook Miners Welfare (Adrian Wood)
7. Carlton Brass (Chris Banks)
8. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker)
9. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Adrian Lacey)
10. Stourport-on-Severn (Oliver Wilson)

Best Tenor Horn: Scott Bennett (Barnsley Brass )

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Rode Hall Silver (Ken Mackintosh)
2. Whitwell Brass (Rob Deakin)
3. Dronfield (Jack Capstaff)
4. Newark Town (Gary Wyatt)
5. Maltby Miners Welfare (Terry Clifford)
6. Long Eaton Silver Prize (Sharon Stansfield)
7. Ibstock Brick Brass (Jon Penton)
8. Amington (Chris Barker)

Best cornet: Anna Whitehurst (Rode Hall Silver Band)

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Mareika Gray

1. Matlock (Chris Banks)
2. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (Sarah Fellowes)
3. Moulton 77 (Kirsty Woodhouse)

Best Euphonium: Mark Cottee (Moulton 77 Brass Band)

Training Band Section:

Adjudicator: Mareika Gray

1. Long Eaton Silver Prize Training Band (Sharon Stansfield)

Best Instrumentalist: Henry Siviter (cornet) — Long Eaton Silver Prize Training Band
Youngest Player: Rowan Nicolson (aged 8) — Long Eaton Silver Prize Training Band

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Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


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Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


The Hepworth Band - A Mother's Day Gala Concert with HD9 Youth Brass

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Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

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Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

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Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Bedford Town Band

March 30 • BBb bass position available at Bedford Town Band (First section). If you are interested in becoming part of our friendly band, we would love to hear from you. Planned contests this year include Wychavon .


Bedford Town Band

March 30 • Principal trombone player position available at Bedford Town Band (First section). If you are interested in becoming part of our friendly band, we would love to hear from you. Planned contests this year include Wychavon .


Shirley Band

March 29 • The Shirley Band (First Section) has a vacancy for a Percussionist, principally for mallet/timpani, with opportunity to cover kit if desired. If you are interested in becoming part of our friendly band, we would love to hear from you.


Alex McGee

MA BMus PGCE
Conductor & Composer


               

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