The South West Brass Band Association has announced that the popular Weston super Mare contest will not be held in 2016 due to extensive renovations that are to be undertaken at the venue at the town's Winter Gardens.

Return

However, it does not mean an end to one of the most welcoming of banding events on the calendar, as there have been assurances that as soon as the work is completed the new management will welcome back the event.

Although Association Vice-Chairman John Woods expressed regret at the immediate decision, he was delighted that the contest will return.

50th anniversary

He told 4BR: "For some time we have been aware that the premises will come under new management and that their intention was to carry out repairs and renovations on the historic building.

However, the new management at Weston College has reassured us that the longer term intention is that the Winter Gardens will be available for community events such as our contest, which will soon be approaching its 50th anniversary."

on balance a temporary break was the best option and that the return to the Winter Gardens has already been inked into diaries for 14th May 20174BR

Date inked in

John revealed that a search for a suitable temporary venue had been carried out, but on balance a temporary break was the best option and that the return to the Winter Gardens has already been inked into diaries for 14th May 2017.