*
banner

Contest hopes dashed at Weston super Mare

Despite a £15 million renovation, there is not enough space to fit in a popular brass band contest in Weston super Mare's Winter Gardens.

Weston
  The refurbished Winter Gardens doesn't have room to host a brass band contest over 35 bands

Despite the completion of the £15 million refurbishments to the famous ballroom at the Winter Gardens in Weston super Mare, the South West Brass Band Association has had it hopes dashed that its popular brass band contest can return to the venue.

Half capacity

Unfortunately, the venue, which includes a new Law & Finance Centre only allows for less than half of its capacity to be hired for functions and events, meaning that hosting a contest which has traditionally attracted upwards of 35 bands or more is now impossible.

SWBBA had hoped to restage its annual own choice contest at the venue in 2018 to take advantage of the neo-Georgian ballroom with its domed ceiling and improved acoustics, but this is now unfeasible.

Concert not contest

"The ballroom is a super venue now for a brass band concert,"Weston Brass Secretary, Gill Rogers told 4BR.

"Unfortunately, with less than half the overall site now available for hire it's apparent there is insufficient space to run a contest of 35 bands or more."

SWBBA Chairman John Woods also confirmed the news: "In addition, the rooms available for band changing and registration, control room and catering are not ideally located for running a successful contest,"he said.

"We have major concerns for the smooth running of the event and an expectation that all bands would need to use a single staircase to access a band room twice; once to perform and again to leave after performing. Coupled with the fact that this is adjacent to the public entrance to the auditorium we feel this is unworkable."

Unfortunately, with less than half the overall site now available for hire it's apparent there is insufficient space to run a contest of 35 bands or moreGill Rogers

New venue

4BR was informed that the SWBBA will continue to work with Weston Brass to seek a more suitable alternative venue in North Somerset.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Tameside

Results: 2025 Tameside Whit Friday

June 14 • The results of the contest will be published here as soon as we get them directly from the contest organisers.


whit Friday

Results: 2025 Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday

June 14 • The results of the various contests will be published here when they are received from the organisers of the event.


Whit Friday

Tameside ready for Whit Friday contest day

June 13 • Tameside is ready to welcome the bands and supporters at each of its 11 venues this year.


Whit Friday

Saddleworth Whit Friday Contests

June 13 • There is plenty of competitive music making to enjoy at the 11 Saddleworth & Oldham District Whit Friday venues this year.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Crewe Brass

June 14 • We are looking for CORNET players (position negotiable) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome


Crewe Brass

June 14 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

June 14 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


David A. Stowell


Conductor and composer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd