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Meet the world's worst band...

Follow the Saga of the North — a new cartoon strip especially drawn for 4barsrest by Nezzy.

Billy Baton
 

Billy Baton is the egotistical MD of the world's most unsuccessful brass band — Sludgedyke Silver. Follow his and the band's antics on their quest to win a competition.

Read episode 1 now and get yourself familiarised with the motley crew of talent that makes up Sludgedyke Silver.

www.4barsrest.com/nezzy/saga.asp

Sludgedyke is completely fictitious and all the characters are simply plucked out of thin air... if you believe that then you’ll believe anythingNezzy

Fictitious

Nezzy informs us that "Sludgedyke Silver Band (from ‘up North’) is completely fictitious and all the characters are simply plucked out of thin air... if you believe that then you’ll believe anything.

"The characters have facets of all the bands folk you have ever come across – ranging from the gifted; the not so gifted; the pre-Madonna; the big and pig headed right down to the village idiot. They are out there somewhere clutching a brass instrument, a baton, a microphone, an adjudicators pencil or strutting around in a committee room. I hope you enjoy the saga...".

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udi

Results: 2026 Dutch National Championships

October 23 • Brass Band Schoonhoven reclaims National title as there are victories for Chr. Brass Band Excelsior, Brass Band De Bazuin B, Koperensemble de Waldsang and UDI Brass Band Oosternijkerk in Utrecht.


Black Dyke

Varley heads from Hammonds to Queensbury

October 23 • Philip Varley joins Black Dyke Band on solo cornet from Yorkshire rivals.


Dutch National Championships

Countdown to Dutch National Championships

October 21 • Go to our special live page of coverage from the 2026 Dutch National Championships which start at the TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht this afternoon.


Hands up

Audition call for Scottish Youth

October 21 • Young players in Scotland are being encouraged to audition for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the RAF Regiment

Friday 23 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Redbridge Brass Band

Saturday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


The Hepworth Band - Aireborough Rotary Club Annual Charity Concert

Sunday 25 October • Yeadon Town Hall, High Street, Yeadon LS19 7PP


Dobcross Silver Band - Tintwistle Band

Sunday 25 October • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Cliff Hardie Big Band

Thursday 29 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We are currently looking for a kit player to help complete our team. We are a 4th section contesting Band, with a busy period coming up, and would like to fill the position as soon as possible.


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We currently have vacancies for 2 tenor trombones. As a 4th section contesting Band, we have a diary filling up with various engagements to keep us busy, and therefore keen to fill the positions.


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting Band with a vacancy for a cornet player, position negotiable. Our diary is filling up with various engagements, so we are keen to fill the position.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

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