The 2018 Welsh Open Entertainment Championship takes place at the Grand Theatre in Porthcawl on Saturday (20th February) starting at 11.00am.

Now established as the traditional starter to the Welsh contest season, it first took place in 1998. With its generous prize fund (the winner takes home £1,000) topped by the presentation of the magnificent CISWO Challenge Trophy it attracts bands from both sides of the River Severn.

British Open link

The contest is also linked to the British Open, with the highest placed band not already competing at the Spring Festival, gaining an inviting to compete there in May.

This year 12 rivals will take to the stage to try impress music adjudicator Steve Sykes as well as entertainment judge Sarah Hayward (there is a separate prize of £300 for the 'Most Entertaining Stage Presentation').

There are also prizes for the podium finishers and highest placed First Section band, Best Soloist, Best Cornet, Soprano, Horn, Percussion and Youngest Player.

The contest is also linked to the British Open, with the highest placed band not already competing at the Spring Festival, gaining an inviting to compete there in May4BR

Competing bands:

Abergavenny Borough (Sean O'Neil)
BTM (Jeff Hutcherson)
Burry Port Town (Christopher Bond)
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Dewi Griffiths)
Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)
Filton Concert Brass (Tom Davoren)
Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins)
Jackfield (Simon Platford)
Llwydcoed (Christopher Turner)
Markham & District (Matt Rowe)
Tylorstown (Gary Davies)
Wantage Silver (Paul Holland)

Tickets available from the Box Office: 01656 815995