Organisers of the Butlins Mineworkers Championship, which includes the Butlins Youth Festival, are promising it's most spectacular weekend of competition and entertainment in 2010.

Increased prize fund

With a challenging selection of test pieces and an increased prize fund worth over £33,000, the event is expected to attract a record number of entries at the Skegness Resort over the weekend of the 22nd — 25th January next year.

Typical style

All five sections will compete on the Saturday with the lower section prizes awarded in typical Butlins style the same evening.

The Championship Section bands will compete in the entertainment discipline of their contest on the Sunday, hosted by Frank Renton.

Test pieces:

Championship Section:
Sleepless Cities (Paul Lovatt-Cooper) published by Prima Vista

First Section:
A Hebridean Suite (Andrew Duncan) published by The Music Company

Second Section:
Folk Music (Keith Wardle) published by Kirklees Music

Third Section:
Diamonds (Tom Moss) published by Studio Music

Fourth Section:
Roman Tryptych (Leigh Baker) published by Kirklees Music

The Festival is hugely popular, attracting bands from all over the UK, and unique in offering a blend of top quality live brass band music with all the entertainment and facilities for which Butlins is renownedButlins

Increased Prizes:

The increased prize fund will see the Champion Band take away the biggest single prize in banding, £7,000 going to the champions, plus, the opportunity to increase it by a further £1,000 if they can claim a double victory in the Entertainment element of the contest.

The runner up will capture £3,000, with £2,000 and £1,000 going to the bands in the top four overall places.

The Geoff Dove Memorial Award winning soloist will pick up £300.

The lower section bands will also benefit from an increase, with each section winner taking home with them, £2,000, with additional prizes for the top four placed bands of £1,000, £700 and £500.

The Youth winner will pick up an impressive £1000, with additional prizes for the top four of £600, £200 and £100.

Entry

Bands wishing to enter the contest should apply in writing to the contest administrator:

Brian Eggleshaw,
Contest Administrator,
59, Cardale Road,
MANSFIELD,
Notts. NG19 7RW

Facilities

In addition to all the entertainment and facilities that make Butlins so famous, the festival this year features concerts from the defending champions Redbridge Brass and the Fairey Band.

Butlins are also pleased to announce that due to popular demand the British Philharmonic Big Band will be returning to the festival on the Saturday evening.

As in previous years, the Association of Band Traders will be providing their usual exhibition throughout the event in the Skyline Pavilion.

Booking a break

Couples, families and groups of friends are welcome to combine their love of brass band music with a short break.

A three night break based on four guests sharing a silver self-catering apartment is just £60 per person and includes accommodation, entertainment & parking.

To find out more about Butlins, to request a brochure, or to discuss the wide range of accommodation available with dinner bed & breakfast or self catering options, simply call the Skegness Resort Advisors on 0845 070 4750, open daily from 9am.

Day tickets

Day visit tickets are available for Saturday 23rd January only, due to the limited venue capacity for the entertainment competition on the Sunday.

Prices are £14 per adult, £7 per child 2 – 14, with under 2s free.

Please note that all competitors who are not resident on Resort must purchase a day visit ticket to gain entry to Resort on Saturday January 23rd. Butlins recommend these are purchased in advance by calling the Butlins Day Visits on 01754 614445 by Tuesday 19th January.

Hugely popular

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The Festival is hugely popular, attracting bands from all over the UK, and unique in offering a blend of top quality live brass band music with all the entertainment and facilities for which Butlins is renowned."

Butlins advise that all guests should book their accommodation early so as to avoid disappointment.