The organisers of the Bolsover Festival of Brass have informed 4BR that they have agreed a transfer of the running of the popular event for 2017 from Bolsover District Council to locally based arts organisation Junction Arts.

Although taking early retirement from the council earlier this year to pursue a career in Arts Management and Funding Consultancy, it was also announced that Carole Crompton (Hirst) will continue to oversee and manage the event on behalf of Junction Arts.

All bands that have entered this year's event via Bolsover District Council before the transfer took place have already been entered to the 2017 contest, with new bands being asked to apply to take part in the 2017 event with immediate effect.

Live broadcast

Such was the success of the 2016 contest, broadcast live on the internet to the banding world, that Carole Crompton has announced that funding from First Art (Funded though Arts Council England's 'Creative People and Places Initiative' using Public Funding from the National Lottery) has again been secured to broadcast once more.

The event will once again take place at the Heritage High School in Clowne, Derbyshire on Sunday 1st October.

Huge success

Carole Crompton told 4BR: "The contest has become a huge success and we wish to continue to build on that in 2017.

We want to give bands the best possible platform to showcase their talents to the banding world — and with over 15,000 people accessing the live broadcast last year, we know it will be an event that they will wish to be part of.

We would encourage all new bands to get their entry in as early as possible, so that they are not left disappointed. The feedback we have had has been hugely positive about the day and the live and recorded broadcasts of each band, so don't miss out on being a part of it in October."

20 countries and 217 cities

Brass band lovers in over 20 countries and at least 217 British towns and cities accessed the 2016 Bolsover Festival of Brass contest through the First Art organisation website, and it is hoped that the number will be further boosted in 2017.

We would encourage all new bands to get their entry in as early as possible, so that they are not left disappointedEvent organiser, Carole Crompton

Register to enter

Entry forms and rules etc are now available to download at http://junctionarts.org/bolsover-festival-of-brass/