The reigning Yorkshire Regional and Grand Shield champion, Rothwell Temperance has announced that they have withdrawn from the forthcoming English National Championships in Preston next month.

Star performers

Less than a week after claiming their place back at the British Open by winning the Grand Shield, one of the star performers of the 2009 season has stated that trying to undertake successfully, the Grand Shield, All England Masters and English Nationals in a seven week period is too much of a musical and financial strain on the non sponsored band at present.

Guarantee

In a statement the band say: "The band have decided not to compete in this year's English Nationals contest.

The idea of three contests in seven weeks seemed possible back in September but the workload would mean the band could not guarantee to be 100% prepared to give themselves every chance.

Financially, winning the Yorkshire Area and Grand Shield means the band needs to find the money for the Open and London and this is also a major factor for a band with no sponsorship or financial help."

Too much

MD, Dave Roberts told 4BR: "I hope to do everything but it's just to much to ask of the band. Winning the Grand Shield means we will not have that contest next year and I have guaranteed the organisers that we will be attending next year and I thank them for their understanding.