*
banner

2016 Spring Festival line-ups announced

The line-up of bands, test pieces and adjudicators for the Spring Festival in Blackpool have been announced

Spring Festival
 

The organisers of the 96th British Open Spring Festival have announced further details for the contests which will take place at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday 14th May.

Line-ups

The Senior Cup will be the first event to go get under way at 10.00am, with the Grand Shield starting in the Opera House at 10.30am and Senior Trophy in the Spanish Hall at 11.15am.

The adjudicating team who will make the all important decisions comprises Nigel Boddice MBE, Dr Robert Childs, John Doyle, Allan Ramsey, Sandy Smith and Dr David Thornton. The pairings for each section will be announced on the day.

Tickets will be available on the day from the Box Office with adults £12.00 and concessions £7.00.

The Grand Shield:
Opera House
Test Piece: Of Distant Memories (Edward Gregson)

First Prize: £800 and Grand Shield
Second Prize: £600
Third Prize: £400
Fourth Prize: £300

Draws: 9.30am & 1.00pm
Commence: 10.30am

Aldbourne (David Johnson) (F)
Ashton-under-Lyne (Philip Chalk) (F)
Burry Port Town (Michael Thorne) (F)
Camborne Town (Kevin Mackenzie) (S)
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery) (tba) (S)
Co-operative Funeralecare (North West) (Jef Sparkes) (F)
East Yorkshire Motor Services (tba) (S)
Friary Guildford (Chris King) (S)
Hepworth (Mark Peacock) (F)
Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea) (S)
Kirkintilloch (tba) (F)
Marsden Silver Prize (John Hinckley) (S)
Mount Charles (Nigel Seaman) (F)
Northop Silver (Andrew Berryman) (S)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Kevin Gibbs) (F)
Reg Vardy (Russell Gray) (F)
Tongwynlais Temperance (Glyn Williams) (S)
Virtuosi GUS (Adam Cooke) (S)
Whitburn (Prof. Nicholas Childs) (S)
Wingates (Paul Andrews) (F)


The Senior Cup:
Pavilion Theatre
Test Piece: Music for Battle Creek (Philip Sparke)

First Prize: £600 and Belle Vue 100 Guinea Challenge Cup
Second Prize: £400
Third Prize: £300
Fourth Prize: £200

Draws: 9.00am & 12.40pm
Commence: 10.00am

Aveley & Newham (John Ward) (S)
BTM (Jeff Hutcherson) (F)
Blackburn & Darwen (Huw Thomas) (S)
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Dewi Griffiths) (S)
Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard) (F)
Fishburn (Joseph Cook) (S)
Kingdom Brass (Paul Drury) (F)
Llwydcoed (Chris Turner) (F)
NASUWT Riverside (tba) (F))
Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley) (S)
Newtongrange Silver (Dr Keith Wilkinson) (F)
Rainford (Gareth Brindle) (S)
Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles) (F)
Redbridge (Alan Duguid) (S)
Skelmanthorpe (Jim Davies) (F)
St Dennis (Darren Hawken) (F)
Staffordshire (Leigh Baker) (S)
Thoresby Colliery (Jonathan Pippen) (S)
Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (David Hirst) (S)
Vernon Building Society (Poynton) (Neil Samuel) (F)
Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (Stig Maersk) (F)


The Senior Trophy:
Spanish Hall
Test Piece: James Cook Circumnavigator (Gilbert Vinter)

First Prize: £600 and Senior Trophy
Second Prize: £400
Third Prize: £300
Fourth Prize: £200

Draws: 10.15am & 1.20pm
Commence: 11.15am

1st Old Boys (Stephen Cairns) (F)
Bo'ness & Carriden (Andrew Duncan) (F)
City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey) (S)
Dalmellington (tba) (S)
Drighlington (John Roberts) (F)
East London Brass (Jayne Murrill) (S)
Felling (tba) (F)
Filton Concert Brass (Tom Davoren) (S)
Foresters Brass 2000 (Jack Capstaff) (F)
Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins) (S)
Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford) (S)
Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Stephen Crooks) (S)
Leicester Co-op (Graham Jacklin) (F)
Longridge (Mark Peacock) (S)
Medway (Melvin White) (S)
Oldham (Lees) (John Collins) (F)
Roberts Bakery (Simon Stonehouse) (F)
SPAL Sovereign Brass (Trevor Jones) (S)
Tylorstown (Gary Davies) (F)
Unison Kinneil (Colin McKenzie) (F)

Further information:

Further information on the British Open can be found at the following link:

http:www.thebritishopen.net/

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Philip Jones

Philip Jones celebration in London

January 12 • Leading student brass ensembles will celebrate the life and legacy of the iconic trumpet player Philip Jones.


Regional Championships

BBP Registry issues reminder

January 12 • Bands are being reminded that they need to have all their registration requirements in order ahead of the regional championships this year.


Easington Colliery

New signings at Easington

January 12 • The North of England Championship contenders strengthen their ranks with two experienced new signings.


Ted Griffiths

Funeral service for Ted Griffiths

January 12 • The funeral service details for Ted Griffiths have been confirmed.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Otley Brass Association

January 11 • Tenor Trombone Player needed for 6 week holiday cover with Otley Brass Band.. Practice is Tuesday nights 7.30-9.30pm at Otley Courthouse, LS21 3AN


Cambrian Brass

January 11 • We are a friendly, inclusive and hard-working brass band, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. We are particularly keen to fill our Soprano Cornet, Flugelhorn, Tenor Horn, Euphonium and EEb Bass positions.


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

January 8 • Following our promotion to the 2nd section we are looking for a percussionist to do a bit of bing bonging on the timps for the regionals in March. We are a lovely band - everyone says so - so please get in touch. Rehearsals Weds from 1930 in Putney.


Duncan Wilson

Bmus(hons), LGSMD
Conductor, Adjudicator (member AoBBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd