*
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    


Michael Fowles

2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival: Interview with Michael Fowles

January 16 • We speak to the Foden's MD about the works that the Sandbach Band will feature in their forthcoming RNCM International Brass Band Festival appearance.


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: Second Quartet — A Hint of Bach (Kenneth Downie)

January 16 • Bring a little inventive Bach to your concert programmes with this new quartet work by Kenneth Downie.


Hand

New trophy to be presented at Midlands Area Championships

January 16 • A new trophy in memory of player Nicola Hand will be presented to the Best Instrumentalist in the Fourth Section at this year's Midlands Regional Championships.


Sparke

Sparke of extra interest on the BBC

January 16 • Brass band music and composers are getting more air time on BBC Radio 3.


The Hepworth Band - Hepworth Band New Year Celebration Concert

Sunday 26 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD97ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015. N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 8 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Clare Church

Saturday 8 February • St Peter and St Paul Church, Clare, Suffolk CO10 8NY


Contest: North West Regional Championships

Sunday 23 February • Winter Gardens Complex, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HU


Boarshurst Silver Band

January 13 • Boarshurst Silver Band, NW Championship Section, requires a talented BBb Bass Player. Under MD Jamie Prophet, the band have an ambitious and varied calendar for 2025, including NW Area, Spring Festival and Whit Friday


Brunel Brass Organisation

January 13 • We're looking for a TENOR HORN player to join us, following invitation to the Spring Festival 2025. . We are a friendly and dedicated band with many contesting ambitions. . (1st Section West of England)


Uckfield Concert Brass

January 13 • Uckfield Concert Brass [in East Sussex] is looking for a top-flight musical director to lead the band as it continues to make great music into 2025 and beyond..


Andy Wareham

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd