It has been announced that the 2018 Pennine Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Championships have been cancelled due to a lack of entries.

Contest controller Gary Walczak told 4BR that he was 'deeply saddened' that there would be no 34th Championship event at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, especially after the 2017 festival was such a resounding success.

Feast of entertainment

Started in 1984, the event quickly became one of the major youth band contests in the UK, with over 80 different bands and ensembles taking to the stage over the years to provide a feast of innovative family orientated entertainment.

It is understood that the latest withdrawal left just five bands confirmed in the starting line-ups for both the senior and junior contests — a major reduction from the 15 that took part last year.

A much more crowded youth contest calendar, and increasing pressures on schools were noted as possible reasons why the event may have suffered this year more than most.

Compromise atmosphere

"On behalf of the committee I offer a sincere apology,"Gary said. "The Championship had a low entry this year, although we did make the decision in November that we would continue.

Regrettably though, following the latest band withdrawal towards the end of last week, we felt that to run a Championship with only five bands would compromise the atmosphere and integrity of a National Championship, and the event would certainly make a financial loss."

following the latest band withdrawal towards the end of last week, we felt that to run a Championship with only five bands would compromise the atmosphere and integrity of a National ChampionshipGary Walczak

2019 return

Gary stated that all entry fees will be returned and that the committee would now look to consult bands to prepare for the contest's return in 2019.