There is plenty for Driffield to be proud of this weekend as Driffield Silver Band represents the town at the National Championships of Great Britain in York.

The band competed in the Fourth Section National Final at York Barbican on Sunday 20 September, joining bands from across England, Scotland and Wales on one of the biggest stages in British brass banding.

For the musicians involved, the appearance was the culmination of months of rehearsals, performances and hard work — but it was also an opportunity to put Driffield firmly on the national brass-band map.

A regional victory earned their place in York

Driffield qualified for the National Final after a memorable performance at the North of England Regional Championships earlier this year.

Competing in the Fourth Section under Musical Director Peter Kench, Driffield finished first with its performance of Eric Ball’s Indian Summer, ahead of Swinton & District Excelsior in second place.

The victory secured Driffield an invitation to the National Final.

There was further recognition for the band when Luke Gledhill received the award for Best Principal Cornet, while Driffield’s Lewis Appleton was recorded as the youngest player with the winning band.

For Driffield, it was an especially significant result. Specialist brass-band coverage described the regional contest as the band’s first Area appearance, making the progression from regional debut to National Final an impressive achievement in its own right.

Driffield takes on bands from across Britain

The Fourth Section contest at York Barbican brought together 16 qualifying bands from across the country.

Driffield joined qualifiers including bands from Oxford, Brighton and Hove, Crystal Palace, Scotland, Wales and other parts of the country.

All of the competing bands performed Peter Graham’s Heroes of the North, the set test piece chosen for this year’s Fourth Section final.

Whatever the final placing, simply reaching this stage represented a significant moment for the band and another positive story for Driffield.

Generations of music-making in Driffield

Although the National Final represents a new chapter, brass music has a long history in the town.

Driffield Silver Band traces its history back to 1837 and describes itself as one of the country’s oldest brass-band organisations.

Today the organisation extends beyond the main competing band. It also includes the East Riding Youth Band and Driffield Community Band, helping younger musicians, developing players and people returning to music to play together and build their confidence.

That community role is an important part of the story.

Local organisations such as Driffield Silver Band are often seen performing at concerts, civic occasions and community events, but behind those performances are volunteers, musicians and supporters giving their time throughout the year.

A place at a National Final provides an opportunity to celebrate not only the musicians taking to the stage in York, but the wider group of people who keep community music thriving locally.

A busy year for the band

The National Final is by no means the end of the band’s 2026 programme.

Driffield Silver Band is already scheduled to compete again at an entertainment contest in Chorley on Sunday 27 September, before returning to a programme of concerts and community appearances later in the year.

Upcoming dates currently include performances in Market Weighton, a Driffield Christmas concert in December and appearances in Hornsea and Bridlington.

For anyone inspired by this year’s achievement, the wider Driffield Silver Band organisation also provides opportunities for people of different ages and experience levels to become involved in brass music locally.

Flying the flag for Driffield

Driffield Is Great is all about celebrating the people, organisations and businesses that make our town what it is, and this is exactly the kind of achievement worth shouting about.

Reaching a national final is no small accomplishment.

So, from everyone following the band’s progress back home in Driffield:

Congratulations to Driffield Silver Band on reaching the National Finals — and well done to everyone involved in getting the band onto the national stage.

Driffield finishes ninth in the National Final

The full Fourth Section results have now been announced, with Driffield Silver Band finishing ninth out of the 16 qualifying bands competing at York Barbican.

Considering the band reached the National Final after winning the North of England regional title earlier this year, a top-ten finish on the national stage brings an impressive competition year to a fitting conclusion.

The full results were:

The Most Outstanding Player award went to Matlock’s Solo Cornet, while 10-year-old Kyra Fernandes of Cubbington Silver received recognition as the youngest player at the contest.

Congratulations once again to everyone at Driffield Silver Band on representing the town at a national final and bringing home a ninth-place finish among some of the country’s leading Fourth Section bands.