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The history and mystery of the British Open Shield...

4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a closer look at the iconic British Open Shield to find out more about its original provenance...

trophy
  The iconic British Open Shield revealed its history in the Forest of Dean sun

With the 166th British Open Championship due to take place at Symphony Hall in Birmingham in a few weeks time, 4BR Editor Iwan Fox finds out more about the history, as well as the mystery, of the contest's iconic Gold Shield.

Thanks to the generosity of contest organisers Martin and Karyn Mortimer the trophy made its way to the recent Brass Band Heritage Weekend at the Dean Heritage Centre in the Forest of Dean, where it was enjoyed by visitors and brass band lovers alike.

Iwan is joined by the members of the Cinderford Band as he explains why the trophy is not quite what it may at first seem...

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Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

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