*
banner

London & Southern Counties announce Area outcomes

No new contest or representation at National Finals if they take place, as L&SC Regional Committee reveals decisions after contest cancellation.

Stevenage
  There will be no bands from the region at the National Finals if they take place.

The London & Southern Counties Regional Committee has formally announced the measures it has taken following the cancellation of the 2020 Championships that was to have taken place in Stevenage on the weekend of the 21st & 22nd March.

Statement

The following statement was given by Regional Secretary Kevin Williams and Chair, Phil Doe.

"We would like to thank all bands for their patience since we cancelled the Area Contest on 13th March, which was a decision we took in advance of Government and BBE advice in order to ensure everyone's safety at our event.

The Committee are all volunteers, a large proportion of whom were also expecting to play at the contest, and have exactly the same concerns as everyone else, such as our own health and that of our family and friends.

We were acutely aware that we needed to find a solution for a way forward and thought it best to take our time and agree at the fairest decisions for all of the 81 bands that had entered the contest.

We know that some of these decisions won't sit well with everyone, but our role is to be impartial and to treat every band with equal respect and consideration, irrespective of their status and grading."

The Regional Committee have therefore agreed this way forward:

1. The 2020 Contest was formally cancelled, so no alternative dates or venues will be sought.

2. Entry fees will be refunded in full to band secretaries over the coming weeks.

3. The pre-2020 Contest grading tables will remain unchanged, and so the next three years points cycle will comprise of the results from 2018, 2019 and 2021.

4. Promotion and relegation will be suspended this year and bands will be required to enter the same section in 2021 as they did for 2020.

5. With the agreement of Kapitol Promotions Ltd., no bands, from any of the sections, will be nominated for an invitation to the Finals.

We know that some of these decisions won't sit well with everyone, but our role is to be impartial and to treat every band with equal respect and consideration, irrespective of their status and gradingL&SC Committee

Disappointing

They added: "We realise how disappointing this will be to those bands near the top of their respective tables, but please understand this decision was not taken lightly.

We trust that the bands accept this solution in the spirit in which it is intended. Two weeks ago we'd never heard of self-isolating and social-distancing, but hopefully we can all look forward to resuming our banding in the near future.

Stay well, and we look forward to seeing you all next year."

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    


Fjord

Echoes of the fjord to be heard in Stavanger

April 3 • The Gala Concert at the forthcoming European Championships in Stavanger will evoke the folk music sounds of the fjords with a brass band twist.


Andrea Price

Andrea Price appointed to Kapitol Music Panel

April 3 • The critically acclaimed musician joins the Kapitol Music Panel to help select future Regional and National test-pieces.


SEWBBA

Welsh bands urged to attend Safeguarding seminar

April 2 • A special Safeguarding Training Seminar is to be hosted by the South East Wales Brass Band Association this weekend, with bands urged to attend.


Cheltenham

Cheltenham National Final schedule announced.

April 2 • The weekend of the 13th and 14th September will see 75 bands take to the stage.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


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


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

April 3 • Putney & Wimbledon Brass Band is on the rise! We're off to Cheltenham for the 3rd year running and will be promoted to the 2nd Section. We need YOU to help us go even further! We play ambitious music under a great conductor and are a very sociable bunch.


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Alan Duguid

BA (Hons), PGDipMus, PGCE
Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd