There was a full day of own-choice test-piece competitive action at Wardle Academy in Rochdale as 34 bands competed across four sections at the NWABBA Rochdale Contest.
British Open Spring Festival
The Championship Section title and the invitation to compete in the British Open Senior Trophy in 2026 went to Sandhurst Silver.
Report to follow
Championship & First Section:
Adjudicators: Glyn Williams; Helen Williams
1. Sandhurst Silver (Joshua Ruck)
2. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
3. Rainford (Adam DJ Taylor)
4. Wingates (Matt Ryan)
5. Sovereign Brass (David Maplestone)
6. Harrogate (Craig Ratcliffe)
7. Brass Band of Central England (Stephen Phillips)
8. Wardle Anderson (Brad McCulloch)
9. Medway Band (Alan Gifford)
10. Thoresby Colliery (Luke Pallister)
11. Flixton (Adie Smith)
12. Silk Brass (Tom Hancock)
13. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Mike Golding)
14. Knottingley Silver (Kevin Belcher)
15. Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)
16. Chapeltown Silver Prize (Garry Hallas)
Withdrew: BD1 Brass (Jamie Smith)
Second Section:
Adjudicators: Glyn Williams; Helen Williams
1. Hawk Green (Neil Hewson)
2. Royal Buckley Town (Keith Jones)
3. Morecambe (Steve Terry)
4. Haslingden & Helmshore (Daniel L Price)
5. Besses Boys (James Holt)
6. Delph (Phil Goodwin)
7. Vernon Building Society (Poynton) (Joey Wong)
8. Old Hall (Trevor Halliwell)
9. City of Chester Bluecoat (Matthew Birkett)
Third Section:
Adjudicators: Glyn Williams; Helen Williams
1. Dobcross Silver (Jason M Smith)
2. North Lakes Brass (Dennis Hadfield)
3. Farnworth & Walkden (Matt Whitefield)
4. Wetherby Silver (Craig Ratcliffe)
5. Thornton Cleveleys (Andrew Warriner)
Withdrawn: Stalybridge Old (Nigel Lawless)
Fourth Section:
Adjudicators: Glyn Williams; Helen Williams
1. Brindle Band (Steve Hartley)
2. Littleborough (Max Stannard)
3. Linthwaite (Tony Robertson)
4. Stacksteads (Matthew Speight)