4BR has been informed that due to a double booking at its Newbridge venue, the popular Miners' Welfare Entertainment Contest has been cancelled this year.

Confident

Organiser Rob Gowing told 4BR: "This is a great disappointment to us after the growing success of the event over the last few years, but we are confident that we will be able to host the contest in 2017."

The event, which is open to bands from the Second, Third and Fourth Sections from both sides of the River Severn, has gained valuable support through the CISWO and South Wales Miners' Trust Fund Scheme since it was started in 2011. The 2015 winners were the Cinderford Band (above).

The winning band not only claimed a £600 first prize and the magnificent South Wales Miners' Challenge Cup, but also gained direct entry into the Welsh Open.

The 2015 prize winners will all be notified so that they can return the trophies, but I can assure people that we will endeavour to gain a contest date for 2017 as soon as possibleRob Gowing

Invaluable support

Rob Gowing added: "CISWO will still offering its invaluable support for brass bands through the coming year through funding various events around South Wales, such as the commemoration of the famous Merthyr Rising.

The 2015 prize winners will all be notified so that they can return the trophies, but I can assure people that we will endeavour to gain a contest date for 2017 as soon as possible."

Rob Gowing can be contacted at: robjgowing@aol.com