The organisers of the popular Wychavon Festival of Brass are putting the final touches to their preparations ahead of what promises to be a busy contesting day in Evesham on Saturday 1st November.

Bands from Wales, West of England, London & Southern Counties, Yorkshire, North West and the Midlands have been drawn to the event thanks to the warm welcome, excellent organisation, individual awards and generous prize funds in each of the five sections.

Added bonus

There is also an added bonus for the bands battling it out for the 25th anniversary Championship Section title and £1250 first prize: The winner will gain direct entry to the Senior Trophy — the first step towards a possible appearance at the British Open.

In a welcome partnership agreement with the British Open Championship organisers, if the winner is already participating in the Spring Festival, the place will be awarded to the highest placed band not currently competing there.

11 top flight bands

12 top flight bands will take to the stage in the Main Hall of Evesham High School to see if they can tickle the taste buds of adjudicator Paul Holland, with reigning champion Aveley & Newham looking to repeat their 2013 triumph under the baton of John Ward.

Each of the 53 competitors has already been sent comprehensive guidance notes to ensure they are fully prepared for the entertainment contest format and the venues they will perform at.

Delighted

Wychavon Festival of Brass Chairperson Dr Val Trim told 4BR that she was delighted that the immense amount of hard work from the contest’s committee and supporters had ensured the prospect of yet another successful event.

"We are very pleased with the response from bands — especially as they come from just about every corner of England and Wales. The generosity of our sponsors and of the British Open in offering direct qualification to the Spring Festival has given us another huge boost.

We offer a warm welcome to competitors and supporters alike and we hope everyone will once again enjoy a great day of brass band inspired entertainment."

Close match

Trevor Jones will be certain to enjoy what looks like a closely match up of 14 bands in the First Section, all looking to head home with the £900 first prize, headed by defending champion Sandhurst Silver against a field that also contains reigning National First Section champion Filton Concert Brass.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Corry will cast his eyes and ears over the 11 well matched contenders in the Second Section — the winner picking up a hefty £600 for their efforts, led by National prize winner Forest of Dean.

Cracking playing

Stephen Roberts has a slightly less demanding day of work in the Third Section — although there is sure to be plenty of cracking playing to tax his mind from the 8 bands hoping to get their hands on the £500 first prize, headed by reigning Third Section National Champion Ebbw Valley Brass.

Finally, David Hirst will have the enjoyable task of separating out the 8 bands looking to bag the top prize of £400 in the Fourth Section — with last year’s top three podium prize winners returning once again in Cubbington, Cadishead and Cheltenham, as well as Butlins Fourth Section Champion Ifton Colliery.

More information:

http://www.festivalofbrass.co.uk/

bands have been drawn to the event thanks to the warm welcome, excellent organisation, individual awards and generous prize funds in each of the five sections4BR

Draws:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Holland
Main Hall
Start: 2.30pm

1. Michelmarsh Silver (Melvin White)
2. Staffordshire Band (David Purkiss)
3. Foresters 2000 (Peter Collins)
4. Leicester Co-operative (Graham Jacklin)
5. Aveley & Newham (John Ward)
6. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Neil Samuel)
7. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner)
8. Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (David Hirst)
9. Roberts Bakery (Simon Stonehouse)
10. Staines Band (Dan Floyd)
11. Sandhurst Silver (Ian McElligott)
12. Lydbrook (Tom Davoren)

First Section:
Adjudicator: Trevor Jones
Small Hall
Start: 11.00am

1. Bedworth (Jason Glynn)
2. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Neil Samuel)
3. Enderby Band (Simon Jones)
4. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner)
5. Eccles Borough (Marieka Gray)
6. Roberts Bakery (Simon Stonehouse)
7. Cornerstone Brass (Damien Wileman)
8. Shirley Band (Dave Bishop-Rowe)
9. Sandhurst Silver (Ian McElligott)
10. Filton Concert Brass (Tom Davoren)
11. Staffordshire Band (David Purkiss)
12. Yeovil Town (N/K)
13. Leicestershire Co-operative (Graham Jacklin)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Jonathan Corry
De Montfort School
Start: 10.30am

1. Eccles Borough (Marieka Gray)
2. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)
3. Shipston Town (Howard Gibbs)
4. Arrow Valley (David Stanley)
5. Avonbank (Warren Belshaw)
6. City of Bristol (Kevin Robins)
7. Forest of Dean Brass (Chris Howley)
8. Hitchin Band (Craig Patterson)
9. Wotton-under-Edge (Ian Dickson)
10. Brackley & District (Alexander Webb)
11. AW Parker (Drybrook) (Josh Ruck)

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Stephen Roberts
The Dance Studio, Evesham High School
Start: 3.30pm

1. Ifton Colliery (Wayne Ruston)
2. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs)
3. Wem Jubilee (Roger Thorne)
4. Wilton & District (Colin Herbert)
5. Cinderford (Dave Lea)
6. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)
7. Oxford Cherwell Brass (Terry Brotherhood)
8. Towcester Studio (Shaun Humphries)

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: David Hirst
The Dance Studio, Evesham High School
Start: 10.00am

1. Cadishead Public (Craig McFarland)
2. Wem Jubilee (Roger Thorne)
3. Ifton Colliery (Wayne Ruston)
4. Alcester Victoria Silver (Danny Price)
5. Malvern Hills (Chris License)
6. Pillowell Silver (Whitburn)
7. Cheltenham Silver (Rob Folland)
8. Cubbington Silver (Mark Phillips)