The organisers of the 97th British Open Spring Festival have confirmed the full line-up of bands that will compete at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday 13th May.
Withdrawal
Following the withdrawal of Vernon Building Society Poynton from the Senior Cup, the Fishburn Band has accepted the invitation to replace them in that competition. Nineteen bands will therefore compete in the Senior Trophy instead of the standard twenty.
The organisers are also delighted to announce that they will be supporting the latest drive for donors for the 'Swab for Sykes' campaign in aid of the trombonist, Stephen Sykes. Volunteers will be on hand throughout the day amongst the trade stands to encourage as many people as possible to register.
Start times
The Grand Shield contest will be the first event to get under way in the Opera House at 10.00am, with the Senior Cup starting in the Pavilion Theatre at 10.30am and Senior Trophy in the Spanish Hall at 11.15am.
The adjudicating team comprises John Doyle, Paul Holland, Thomas Hutchinson, Ian Porthouse, Allan Ramsay and Steve Sykes. 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 adjudicating team comprises John Doyle, Paul Holland, Thomas Hutchinson, Ian Porthouse, Allan Ramsay and Steve Sykes4BR
Contests:
Grand Shield:
Opera House
Test Piece: Reflections on Swan Lake (Stephen Roberts)
First Prize: £800 and Grand Shield
Second Prize: £600
Third Prize: £400
Fourth Prize: £300
Commence: 10.00am
Draws: 9.00am & 12.30pm
Aldbourne (David Johnson) (S)
Ashton-under-Lyne (Philip Chalk) (S)
Burry Port Town (Andrew Jones) (S)
Camborne Town (Kevin Mackenzie) (F)
Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths) (F)
Hepworth (Leigh Baker) (S)
Kirkintilloch (Bryan Allen) (S)
Llwydcoed (Chris Turner) (F)
NASUWT Riverside (David Roberts) (S)
Northop Silver (Paul Hughes) (F)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ben Dixon) (S)
Rainford (Gareth Brindle) (F)
Reg Vardy (Russell Gray) (S)
Thoresby Colliery (Ian McElligott) (F)
Tongwynlais Temperance (Michael Fowles) (F)
Unite the Union (John Roberts) (S)
Virtuosi GUS (Adam Cooke) (F)
Whitburn (Prof. Nicholas Childs) (F)
Wingates (Paul Andrews) (S)
Woodfalls (Dr Robert Childs) (F)
Senior Cup:
Pavilion Theatre
Test Piece: Fragile Oasis (Dr Peter Meechan)
First Prize: £600 and Belle Vue 100 Guinea Challenge Cup
Second Prize: £400
Third Prize: £300
Fourth Prize: £200
Commence: 10.30am
Draws: 9.30am & 1.00pm
Blackburn & Darwen (Neil Samuel) (F)
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Nigel Seaman) (F)
Co-operative Funeralcare (North West) (Jeff Sparkes) (S)
Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard) (S)
East Yorkshire Motor Services (Stig Maersk) (F)
Filton Concert Brass (Tom Davoren) (S)
Fishburn (David Hirst) (F)
Friary Guildford (Chris King) (S)
Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins) (F)
Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford) (S)
Kingdom Brass (Paul Drury) (S)
Marsden Silver (Alan Widdop) (F)
Newtongrange Silver (Andrew Duncan) (F)
Oldham (Lees) (John Collins) (F)
Ratby Co-operative (Howard Evans) (S)
Redbridge (Jeremy Wise) (F)
Skelmanthorpe (Jim Davies) (S)
St Dennis (Darren Hawken) (S)
Staffordshire (Steven Walsh) (F)
Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (David Thornton) (S)
Senior Trophy:
Spanish Hall
Test Piece: Salute to Youth (Gilbert Vinter)
First Prize: £600 and Senior Trophy
Second Prize: £400
Third Prize: £300
Fourth Prize: £200
Commence: 11.15am
Draws: 10.15am & 1.20pm
Aveley & Newham (Alan Duguid) (S)
BTM (Jeff Hutcherson) (F)
Bo'ness & Carriden (Thomas Wyss) (S)
Dalmellington (Richard Evans) (F)
Downshire Brass (Prof Michael Alcorn) (F)
Drighlington (Duncan Beckley) (S)
East London Brass (Jayne Murrill) (F)
Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray) (S)
Hatfield (Stan Lippeatt) (S)
Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Stephen Crooks) (F)
Longridge (Mark Peacock) (F)
Lydbrook (Glyn Williams) (S)
Medway (Melvin White) (F)
Newstead Brass (John Davis) (F)
Roberts Bakery (Mark Wilkinson) (S)
Shepherd Group (Richard Wilton) (F)
SPAL Sovereign Brass (Trevor Jones) (F)
Tylorstown (Gary Davies) (S)
Unison Kinneil (Raymond Tennant) (S)
F: First half draw
S: Second half draw
More information
Further information on the British Open can be found at the following link:
http:www.thebritishopen.net/
