The 2017 Brass@Beamish 'March & Hymn Tune' contest will take place on Sunday 18th June in the grounds of the famous Beamish Open Air Museum, in Stanley, Co. Durham.

Success

Following the success of the inaugural contest last month, the Durham County Brass Band Association was keen to get a date in band diaries as soon as possible — and so the 2017 event has already been pencilled in.

Double entries

Hugh Stephenson, on behalf of the Association, told 4BR: "We had a really good contest this year with nine bands taking part, and with a move to a bigger area on the Beamish Museum site we are hoping to at least double the entries for 2017.

The support from Beamish Museum staff has been tremendous and once again they are offering a free pint to every competing bandsman/women, which should see an increase in entries!"

The support from Beamish Museum staff has been tremendous and once again they are offering a free pint to every competing bandsman/women, which should see an increase in entries!Hugh Stephenson

Picnic in the Park

Hugh added: "The Association is also delighted to have attracted 15 bands to our annual 'Picnic in the Park' entertainment contest being held for the first time at Houghall College, on the outskirts of Durham City on Sunday 3rd July."