The South West Brass Band Association has announced that their popular own-choice contest will be taking a further break for 2017 and will now return in 2018.

Use in 2018

Association Vice Chairman John Woods told 4BR: "The Winter Gardens are now owned and managed by Weston College and major building work is underway to create a legal studies centre and multipurpose venue.

It will be autumn 2017 before the college expect to take up occupation and are interested in using the services of a brass band to help with the opening ceremonies.

The College is very keen for SWBBA to use the facilities in 2018 and once open we can enter into a contractual arrangement and plan the contest".

Extensive search

John concluded: "An extensive search had been undertaken for a temporary location in 2017. This included a nearby holiday village with historical brass connections, but we were unable to agree mutually acceptable terms.

We feel that taking a break is the most sensible option and we would ask all bands to mark their diaries for 13th May 2018."

We feel that taking a break is the most sensible option and we would ask all bands to mark their diaries for 13th May 2018Association Vice Chairman John Woods

Support

Bands are asked to send pledges of support and to confirm their interest to wsmcontest@gmail.com