*
banner

Welsh contest boost as season opener heads to Newport

The popular Welsh Open Entertainment Championship returns in 2022 at a new venue in Newport and the attraction of a trip to Blackpool.

Newport
  The contest will be held at the Riverfront Theatre in Newport

The domestic contesting movement in Wales has been given a timely boost with the news that the popular Welsh Open Entertainment Championship is to return in 2022.

Traditionally seen as the opening event of the contest calendar it will return following the Covid-19 break for a 24th time at its new venue of the Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre in Newport on Sunday 20th February.

Spring Festival

The contest attracts Championship and First Section competitors from both sides of the River Severn, and with the highest placed qualifying band also gaining an invitation to compete in the British Open Spring Festival Senior Trophy contest in May it is hoped it will attract another strong field of contenders.

In addition the first prize of £1,000 offers an excellent opportunity for an early boost to the bank account, whilst the magnificent CISWO Challenge Trophy is just one of the many pieces of impressive prize-winning silverware on offer.

Entry packs for 2022 Welsh Open Entertainment Championship will be available from Monday 15th November 2021.

However, numbers are restricted for 2022 to the first 12 bands to enter, a reserve list will be in place for bands that enter after that.

Ideal opportunity

Contest Controller Dean Evans told 4BR: "We are very grateful to Martin and Karyn Mortimer for allowing our contest to continue to be part of the qualification ladder for the British Open Championships.

It offers an ideal opportunity for ambitious bands to take the first step to a potential appearance at Symphony Hall in future years."

Entry packs and more information:

For further information or to request an entry pack, please contact the Contest Organiser, Dean Evans at: contestcontroller.welshopen@gmail.com

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    


Spring Festival

Spring Festival feedback welcomed by Mortimers

May 5 • If you have constructive feedback to offer on the recent Spring Festival weekend, then the organisers welcome your responses.


podcast

4BR Review podcast — European and Spring Festival focus

May 5 • Plenty of issues to discuss on the live podcast this Wednesday at 7.00pm — and you can have your say.


jOHN gILLAM

Death of John Gillam

May 4 • The death has been announced of the hugely respected player and administrator.


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival Grand Shield

May 3 • Milnrow claims the Grand Shield honours to return to the British Open with Hepworth joining them.


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Woodbridge Excelsior Band

Saturday 9 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Glossop Old Band

May 5 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history


East London Brass

May 5 • Solo Cornet: fresh off the back of our promotion to the Grand Shield, ELB are on the look out for a solo cornet player to complement our existing section. The band is ambitious and has an exciting second half of the year ahead.


Chinnor Silver

May 5 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (11th) at 11am and welcome players of all abilities.. Come and enjoy a relaxed rehearsal mixed genres of music with some very friendly folks with tea and cake. It does not impact your own band and its free


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd