4BR has been informed that the popular Wychavon Festival of Brass Entertainment Contest, which takes place on September 14th and 15th this year in Evesham could well be the last – unless greater support is offered by the banding community which it has served so well over its 24 year history.
Financially sound
Although financially sound, despite the economic climate that has seen a curtailment of available grants from local authority and council sources, the contesting aspect of the Festival’s activities is in serious jeopardy.
The contest is held every September in Evesham, Pershore or Droitwich, with the umbrella organisation also running the equally successful Worcestershire Youth Festival.
Personnel
As Chairperson Val Trim told 4BR, quite simply, it does not have enough personnel to carry out the various jobs to keep running the event so successfully.
"Disappointingly, although several appeals have been made to bandsmen, few have come forward to add their own skills and expertise to those of the present Trustees who make up the organising committee," she said.
"What is urgently required is a fresh influx of new faces to take the Festival into the future. We need capable, younger people to help run the contest and to do the prep work in the months leading up to the event itself."
Back office work
Val continued: "Although finding helpers on the day is generally trouble free, it’s the back office work that really needs dedicated attention — applying for grants, vetting venues, contacting bands, doing the accounts etc.
None of these things in themselves are particularly onerous—unless the committee is too small to disperse the work load, and that’s the problem at the moment."
Generous
The Festival contest has continued to attract between 40 and 50 competitors each year, thanks to a very generous prize fund and its excellent organisation, so Val hopes this appeal will encourage extra help to come on board – so that they can keep helping the bands themselves.
She added: "Given that within thirty miles of Wychavon there must be over 20 bands, it is disappointing to note how little interest repeated appeals for support has generated.
The Trustees have discussed at length numerous ways of making the event more sustainable but the bottom line is that bodies are needed to take on the many and various responsibilities.
If no one comes forward it will be difficult to see how the Entertainment contest can be managed in 2014 and beyond."
Important AGM
A call has therefore been made to help save one of the banding movement’s contesting success stories.
Those who feel they can help can attend the important forthcoming AGM to be held on Wednesday March 27th at St Ecgwin’s Club in Evesham.
Anyone interested in the future of the contest or in joining the organising committee is strongly advised to attend this meeting.
Contact
Alternatively, please urgently contact:
Treasurer Clive Allen: allenview@lineone.net
Or Chair Dr Val Trim: trimvalerie@gmail.com
