The popular Wychavon Festival of Brass Entertainment Contest, now in its 20th year, takes place this Sunday in the pretty market town of Droitwich Spa.

Generous

Nearly 40 bands will compete in the five sections which take place at the local High School and the Norbury Theatre. As usual there is a generous prize pot up for grabs for those who can tickle the fancy of the judges, Phillip Harper, Stephen Roberts and John Maines with their 20 minute programmes.

The contest continues to attract bands from as far away as Wales, London, the North West, West of England and the Midland regions thanks to its attractive mix of slick organisation, generous prizes, good facilities and welcoming atmosphere.

Kick off

The day kicks off at the Norbury Theatre at 10.00am with seven bands competing in the Second Section as they try to claim the Danny Freer Cup and first prize of £750.

That will be followed by the First Section contest at around 3.00pm, where eight contenders will try to get their hands on the Roger Spragg Festival Cup and the first prize of £1,000.

High School host

Droitwich High Schools plays host to the Third, Fourth and Championship events, with the action starting at 10.30am with the Third Section competitors battling it out for the Three Towns Trophy and the first prize of £600.

This is followed by the Fourth Section contest around 1.30pm, where six bands will try to claim the VECTA Trophy and £500 top prize.

Championship climax

The day will be rounded off with the Championship Section contest at 5.00pm, where a strong field of competitors from both sides of the River Severn (headed by reigning champions, BTM — above) will try to impress adjudicator Phillip Harper and head home with the Wychavon Cup and the first prize of £1,500.

Tickets

All day tickets to cover all venues are a reasonable £10 (under 16: £5). These are available on the door at either venue.

More information:

For advance sales and further information go to the website: http://www.festivalofbrass.co.uk/contest.html

The contest continues to attract bands from as far away as Wales, London, the North West, West of England and the Midland regions thanks to its attractive mix of slick organisation, generous prizes, good facilities and welcoming atmosphere4BR

Competing bands in draw order:

Championship Section:
Droitwhich High School
Start: 5.00pm
Adjudicator: Phillip Harper

Thoresby Colliery (David Purkiss)
Woodfalls (Dr Robert Childs)
Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
BTM (David Maplestone)
Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)

First Section:
Norbury Theatre
Start: 3.00pm
Adjudicator: John Maines

Enderby (John Fletcher)
Filton Concert Brass (Tom Davoren)
Rogerstone (James Jones)
Shirley Band (David Bishop-Rowe)
Phoenix West Midlands (Trevor Jones)
Bedworth Brass (Jason Glyn)
Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson)
Tylorstown (Gary Davies)

Second Section:
Norbury Theatre
Start: 10.00am
Adjudicator: John Maines

City of Bristol (Ceri Thomas)
Crewe Brass (Jamie Meredith)
Tilbury (Andrew Austin)
Cinderford (Dave Lea)
Strata Brass (David Holling)
Porthywaen Silver (Mark Parry)
Fulhan Brass (Rob Richardson)

Third Section:
Droitwhich High School
Start: 10.30am
Adjudicator: Phillip Harper

Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn)
Corsham (Colin Hogg)
Arrow Valley Brass (David Stanley)
Eccles Borough (Marieka Gray)
Shipston Town (Howard Gibbs)
Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)
Thurcroft Welfare (Garry Hallas)

Fourth Section:
Droitwhich High School
Start: 1.30pm
Adjudicator: Stephen Roberts

Market Rasen Resdev (Alan Needham)
Bratton Silver (Simon Carr)
Thornbury Town (Darren Williams)
Trentham Brass (Mike Caveney)
Cheltenham Silver (Rob Folland)
Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)

Local Band competition to be decided between Arrow Valley, Shipston Town and Cheltenham Silver.