*
banner

Spring Festival details announced

The list of bands, judges, split draws and start times have been announced for the 2020 British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool in May.

Winter Gardens
  The contest takes place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool in May

The organisers of the British Open Championships have released details of the adjudicators, draw times, start times and split draws for the 100th Spring Festival Championships which will take place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Saturday 9th May.

Anomaly

Due to a historical anomaly, the 50th 'Golden Anniversary' of the May event was initially celebrated in 1970 — one marked by a special commemorative programme with a foreword marking the event by Chairman, H.F.B. Iles.

However, as the first May contest didn't take place until 1922, it is actually the 99th event — a peculiarity that remains part of the event's unique history.

The adjudication team for the 2020 Championships have been announced as Stephen Cobb, Garry Cutt, Alexandra Kenyon, Sandy Smith, Steve Sykes and Roger Webster.

Works

The Grand Shield set-work is 'Dynasty' by Peter Graham, whilst Hubert Bath's 'Freedom' will face the competitors in the Senior Cup. Cyril Jenkins classic 'Life Divine' will be performed in the Senior Trophy.

Two bands will be promoted to the British Open from the Grand Shield. The usual promotion and relegation processes will occur in the other sections.

The adjudication team for the 2020 Championships have been announced as Stephen Cobb, Garry Cutt, Alexandra Kenyon, Sandy Smith, Steve Sykes and Roger Webster4BR

Tickets

Tickets for the event can be purchased on the day or from Ticketmaster on 0844 856 11 11 at £14.00 and £8.00

Grand Shield:


F= First half
Draw: 9.00am
Start: 10.00am
S = Second half
Draw: 12.00pm
Second Half will not commence before 1.00pm

Camborne Town (Andrew Duncan) S
City of Hull (Stig Maersk) S
Friary Brass Band (Chris King) F
GUS Band (Chris Jeans) S
Hepworth (Ryan Watkins) S
Llwydcoed (Chris Turner) F
Milnrow (tbc) S
Northop Silver (John Doyle) S
Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins) F
Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ben Dixon) F
Rainford (Sarah Groarke-Booth) S
Ratby Co-operative (Mareika Gray) F
Redbridge (Dr David Thornton) F
Reg Vardy (Russell Gray) F
Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts) S
St Dennis (Darren R Hawken) F
Wantage (Paul Holland) S
Whitburn (Prof Nicholas Childs) F
Wingates (Paul Andrews) F
Woodfalls (Dr Robert Childs) S


Senior Cup:


F= First half
Draw: 10.15am
Start: 11.15am
S = Second half
Draw: 1.00pm
Second Half will not commence before 2.00pm
There will be 11 bands in the first half.

Acceler8 Band (Jef Sparkes) F
Ashton under Lynne (Jamie Prophet) F
Aveley & Newham (Nigel Taken) S
Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas) S
City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey) S
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Christopher Bond) F
Dalmellington (Gary William) S
Derwent Brass (Jack Capstaff) S
Elland Silver (Daniel Brooks) S
Filton Concert Brass (Glen Van Looy) S
Jaguar Land Rover (Michael Wild) F
Kingdom Brass (Ian Porthouse) F
Kirkintilloch (Frank Renton) F
Newtongrange Silver (Anne Crookston) S
Roche Brass (David Johnson) F
Shephered Group (Richard Wilton) S
Skelmanthorpe (Martin Heartfield) F
Thoresby Colliery (Mike Howley) F
Vernon Building Society Poynton (Stig Maersk) F
Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith) F


Senior Trophy:


F= First half
Draw: 9.30am
Start: 10.30am
S = Second half
Draw: 12.30pm
Second Half will not commence before 1.30 pm

Boarshurst (James Garlick) F
Bo'ness & Carriden (Nigel Boddice MBE) S
Burry Port Town (Ceri John) S
Crofton Silver (Dean Jones) S
Easington Colliery (Jonathan Fenwick) F
East London Brass (Jayne Murrill) S
Eccles Borough (Dave Purkiss) S
Enderby (Ryan Richards) S
Fishburn (John Pearson) S
Hatfield & Askern Colliery (Stanley Lippeatt) F
Jackfield (David Maplestone) S
Lydbrook (Glyn Williams) S
Marsden Silver Prize (Andrew Lofthouse) F
Roberts Bakery (Paul Lovatt-Cooper) F
Spal Sovereign Brass (Neil Samuel) F
Thundersley Brass (Melvin White) F
Tylorstown (Gary Davies) F
Unison Kinniel (Raymond Tennant) F
Unite the Union (John Davis) S
Yorkshire Imperial (Garry Hallas) F

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Spring Festival

Change in judging teams for 2027 Spring Festival

November 5 • A conflict of interest sees Dr Robert Childs step down from his Grand Shield adjudication appointment, with Col David Barringer now taking Senior Cup roll.


siddis brass

Live Wobplay coverage of Siddis Championships

November 5 • You can sit back and enjoy the Norwegian entertainment on offer from Stavanger on Saturday on the wobplay.com media platform.


Easington

Easington's backing to John Lewis festive advert

November 5 • Your can hear the sound of a brass ensemble from Easington Colliery Band on this year's John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert.


NYBBGB

Excellent response to NYBBGB Composer Competition

November 5 • Lots of interest, but there is still plenty of time to get entries in for the John Gillam Young Composer Competition run by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.


Dobcross Silver Band - Remembrance Concert

Sunday 8 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Band of the RAF Regiment Brass Ensemble

Friday 20 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver President's Concert

Friday 27 November • St George's Church, St Johns Avenue, Rugby CV22 5HR


West Yorkshire Police Band - Mid Yorkshire Breast Cancer Support

Saturday 28 November • Cluntergate Centre, Horbury WF4 5DA


Newstead Brass - The Snowman - Live

Saturday 5 December • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West, Forest Town. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Chinnor Silver

November 6 • We are looking to strengthen our top end and require an ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CORNET to join this friendly and ambitious 1st Section band.Good book of concerts and contests planned that includes a trip to Belgium.


Chinnor Silver

November 6 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (9th) and we welcome players of all abilities to join us for a relaxed and friendly rehearsal.Playing with us does not impact on your band. We meet in our bandroom at 11am it is all free including refreshments


Oxford Cherwell Brass

November 6 • Oxford Cherwell Brass invites applications for a new MUSICAL DIRECTOR . We seek a new MD who is committed to an inclusive positive approach towards enjoyment of music making and development. We are a friendly second section band (L&SC).


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd