The organisers of the 2020 Bolsover Festival of Brass have informed 4BR that they will continue to assess the guidance and regulations surrounding the current Coronavirus pandemic with a view to making a final decision on 1st September to the potential running of this year's competition.

Guidance

Correspondence has recently been sent to each competing band that entered the event, due to take place on Sunday 4th October, stating that discussions on advice and guidance is being taken from the two agencies responsible for formulating Coronavirus (Covid -19) response strategies in England — The Department of Health & Social Care and Public Health England.

Reiterating what has been sent to the bands, a spokesperson told 4BR: "Though we do not have the benefit of having a crystal ball enabling us to see how and when lockdown measures may be relaxed, we have considered a number of different scenarios which could potentially allow us to run the contest in one form or another.

However, this would be subject to the safety and well being of everyone involved being paramount as well as the appropriate relaxation of lockdown restrictions and appropriate social distancing measures being practical leading up to and at the time of the contest."

They added: "In all our discussions our key aim has been to ensure that any potential contest is delivered in an environment which is as safe as possible for those competing, adjudicating, running or if appropriate, attending."

In all our discussions our key aim has been to ensure that any potential contest is delivered in an environment which is as safe as possible for those competing, adjudicating, running or if appropriate, attendingspokesperson

Monthly updates

4BR was informed that further assessment meetings will be held in both July and August to asses and discuss the realistic viability of running a contest in some form with a final decision being made on 1st September.

The spokesperson added: "It is our intention to keep in contact with all bands that entered the event and to keep them informed of a potential contest status update.

We welcome feedback and understanding at this time and we will endeavour to work as positively as possible."