The banding world’s first ever £10,000 first prize will be on offer at the 2013 Butlins Mineworkers Festival.

Massive

The news of the massive winner’s cheque comes as Butlins marks the tenth anniversary of the immensely popular season opening event at Skegness. There will be a huge boost in the overall top section prize fund to £19,800 and large increases in the other sections too.

Festival Director, Steve Walker, said: "Butlins really wanted to celebrate the tenth anniversary in style and to show its appreciation for the part that the Championship Section bands play in the success of the weekend."

Increases

It is understood that the podium finishers will now receive £5,000 and £2,500 respectively, with the fourth placed band getting £1,000.

Festival Advisor, Stan Lippeatt added: "This is a major statement of intent by the Butlins organisation, reinforcing the event’s place at banding’s top table."

Investment

A thrilled Contest Administrator Brian Eggleshaw also added: "Given the uncertain financial climate, Butlins deserves great credit for this increased investment in the brass band movement."

The prizes for the bands in the other sections have also seen a significant increase, with the winners taking home £2,000, with £1,000, £700 and £500 for the remaining placed bands.

Given the uncertain financial climate, Butlins deserves great credit for this increased investment in the brass band movementBrian Eggleshaw

Youth and Training

Butlins investment in its growing Youth Championship will also see substantially increased prize money in the Junior Ensemble and Youth sections, with the overall Youth Champion claiming £1,000 and the Junior Ensemble winner, £200.

It has also been confirmed that all five sections will compete on Saturday 19th January with the prizes being presented at the awards ceremony the same evening.

The Championship Section bands will compete in the entertainment discipline on the Sunday with the aggregate of the points over the two days determining the destination of the massive first prize.

Contact

Bands interested in competing in all sections should now contact contest administrator Brian Eggleshaw. Butlins have also confirmed that bands that competed in 2012 will receive the first entry forms for 2013.

Brian Eggleshaw
59, Cardale Road
Mansfield,
Notts
NG19 7RW

Tel: 01623 478454
e-mail: bj-egg@ntlworld.com

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