Three Associations or Leagues make up the Northern Region. Two are Junior associations (North East Association and Northumberland and Durham Association) and the other is Premier (Tyne Tees Association). Over the past few years the top North East bands have achieved a standard of excellence second to none and this has encouraged lesser bands to improve their own standard accordingly. In turn, this has increased the keen level of competition across the Region.

The Northern Regional Committee consists of a maximum of five representatives from each Association

who meet on the first Wednesday of each month at Wallsend Community Centre.

Each year the Region holds two major competitions - the Northern Championships which has been running for over 20 years, since its inception when it was known as the Gateshead Championships, and the South Tyneside Championships which is a relatively new competition. In general, the South Tyneside takes place in the earlier part of the season and the Northern Championships at the end.

In 2003 it will be again be this Region's turn to host the World Championships and during the run-up to this, we shall be holding a number of fund raising events and functions to which everyone will be welcome. We hope to post these to our web page when the programme of events is finalised.