Philip Biggs and Richard Franklin, the organisers of the All England Masters International Championship have announced that they have taken the decision to postpone this year’s event.

Unexpected problems

In correspondence sent to bands due to compete at the contest, they state that ‘unexpected problems’ over the change of date from 25th May to 1st June, due to the European elections, has meant that the 2014 contest will be restaged on Sunday 24th May 2015.

Consequence

The correspondence states: "The recently announced change of date of the 2014 All England Masters International Brass Band Championship from Sunday 25th May to Sunday 1st June, has caused unexpected problems for certain of this year’s competing bands with the result that they have found it necessary to withdraw from the event.

As a consequence we have reviewed various aspects of the Championship in the light of these problems and it is with great regret that we have concluded that we must postpone the 2014 Championship and re-stage it on Sunday 24th May 2015."

New intention

They further state: "It is our intention to present the event planned for this year on this new date and ensure that in every respect all the principal features remain unchanged including the test piece choice and the competing bands.

We therefore wish to carry forward your Band’s expressed intention to compete at this year’s Championship into 2015 and treat it as a firm entry into that event."

We deeply regret having to make this decision but circumstances surrounding venue availability are beyond our controlPhilip Biggs and Richard Franklin

Deep regret

Philip Biggs and Richard Franklin, who have organised the Masters since its inception in 1989 concluded: "We deeply regret having to make this decision but circumstances surrounding venue availability are beyond our control and it would not be viable to proceed with the Championship on the basis of a much reduced field of competing bands.

We hope that you will understand our position and that you will work with us to make the 2015 Masters a great event."