Concerned by the recent decline in the number of entries to the Wychavon Festival of Brass entertainment contest in the last couple of years, organisers have decided to ask previous entrants (such as 2013 champion Aveley & Newham above) their opinion about a possible change of date to enable the event to attract more competitors.

Dates

Dates under consideration for are:

• The 3rd week in September: 20th/21st 2014
• The 3rd week in November: 15th/16th 2014
• The 2nd week in February: 07th/08th 2015

Number of factors

A spokesperson told 4BR: "We recognise a number of factors that have begun to impact on numbers.

The present timing of the contest, usually held on the second weekend in September, is only a few weeks after the summer break that many bands take these days, so there is little time to prepare a contest programme.

More significantly, the National Finals take place in Cheltenham the following weekend and bands appearing there are understandably reluctant to jeopardise their chances by spending time preparing an entertainment programme."

we need to feel sure that moving dates would be beneficial to the bands, so we invite all past and potential competitors to comment regarding the timing of our next contest in 2014Wychavon organisers

Maintain and develop

They added: "In order to maintain and develop the contest in these difficult times we are open minded and are looking at other dates.

However, we need to feel sure that moving dates would be beneficial to the bands, so we invite all past and potential competitors to comment regarding the timing of our next contest in 2014."

Replies

Please send views on the dates shown above by November 4th at the latest to Contest Secretary Kevin Whittaker: kevinwhittaker@blueyonder.co.uk

Mobile: 07970816696