There may well be a small glimmer of hope that brass band contesting may return in early 2021 in the UK, following the journey through the dark tunnel of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the news that the Butlin's organisation has announced that it is working towards opening its resorts in the near future.

At present the resorts, which include Skegness, home to the Butlin's Mineworkers Brass Band Festival, are closed until the 16th July, with all 'Live Music Weekends' cancelled to the end of September.

Not too distant future

In a statement on their website Butlin's say that they are now working through what the government's proposed plans mean for them in the hope that they can "open again in the not too distant future".

However, it also confirmed that at present this does not include 'Live Music Weekends' due to current social distancing rules, although they state that where "entertainment is seated"as on their Family Breaks, "social distancing can be maintained".

However, it also confirmed that at present this does not include 'Live Music Weekends' due to current social distancing rules4BR

Possibility

Given the complexities of implementing safeguarding requirements that organisation's such as Butlin's will need to address before they can open their doors once more, the announcement perhaps gives the first small indication of the possibility that the 2021 Festival, due in early January, could take place.