4BR has been informed that Tameside Metropolitan Council has decided to end its sponsorship of the British Open Solo & Quartet Championships.

Regret

In a statement released today they say: "It is with great disappointment that Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council have announced that regrettably, sponsorship of the British Open Solo & Quartet Championships will not be available for a 2010 contest due to be held in Tameside."

13 years

Promoted by Tameside Council and the British Open, the annual championships has been held successfully in the Borough for the past thirteen years and has seen hundreds of the finest senior and junior musicians performing.

Additional sponsorship also enabled the Senior Solo Champion to compete in the annual Ern Keller International Soloist of the Year, held in Sydney, Australia.

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council have announced that regrettably, sponsorship of the British Open Solo & Quartet Championships will not be available for a 2010 contest due to be held in TamesideTMBC

Grateful

Frank Hodges of Lancashire Contests, who administer the contest for the Council told 4BR: "On behalf of Martin Mortimer and Lancashire Contests, I would like to say how grateful we are to Tameside Council and in particular the Executive Leader of Tameside Council, Councillor Roy Oldham CBE, for the generous financial and administrative support that has enabled this prestigious contest to take place in the area for so many years."

Potential sponsors

Any potential sponsors who are interested in securing the future of the British Open Solo & Quartet Championships can contact Louise Atkinson, Senior Arts & Events Manager on 0161 342 4144.

Commitment

However the news has been balanced by Tameside's continued commitment to the annual Tameside Open Brass Band Championships on Sunday 28th March and the Tameside Youth Brass Festival on Sunday 28th November.