*
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    


Whit Friday

Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday details announced

March 11 • There will be 11 venues to visit for players, supporters and visitors alike as the greatest free show one earth welcomes the bands yet again.


Higgins

Hepworth ambition embraces Higgins Concerto Grosso

March 11 • The newly crowned Yorkshire Area champions will join forces with Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of Gavin Higgins' imposing 'Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra' in Huddersfield next month.


Brangwyn Hall

Welsh bands prepare for Brangwyn tests

March 11 • 35 bands will compete at the Welsh Regional Championships — and its a 11.00am start each day in Swansea.


west of England

Last touches being put in place for Torquay

March 11 • There is sure to be a great weekend of contesting in Torquay this weekend as the West of England Regional Championships take place.


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Queen Victorias Consort

Friday 13 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Slide Effect Trombone Quartet

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


Regent Hall Concerts - Welsh Guards Band Septet

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


Chinnor Silver

March 11 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday(16th) at 11am. We welcome players of all abilities to join us for a friendly relaxed rehearsal.. Its all free including the coffee and cake.


Glossop Old Band

March 11 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Rushden Town Band

March 8 • 2nd Trombone for Midlands Area First Section Champions 2026.


James Garlick

BMus (Hons), QTS
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Tutor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd