*
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    


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


NYBBGB

National Youth Band sells out in Halifax

April 25 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain will be joined by the British Army Brass Band for a sell out concert in Halifax this weekend.


bRADOFRD

Bradford boost for Black Dyke Band

April 25 • The Yorkshire champion's involvement in Bradford's celebration as the UK City of Culture on Radio 2 has gained widespread plaudits.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Dave Collins

BA (Hons) (Dunelm) I, FSCO
Composer and Arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd