BRITISH OPEN BACKS SPRING FESTIVAL DESPITE LOSS OF SPONSORS

The British Open has now announced the three Test Pieces for this year's qualifying contests, The Grand Shield, The Senior Cup and The Senior Trophy.

THE 90th SPRING BRASS BAND FESTIVAL
THE WINTER GARDENS BLACKPOOL SATURDAY 15th MAY 2010

THE GRAND SHIELD
QUALIFYING CONTEST FOR THE 2010 BRITISH OPEN
TEST PIECE – ROCOCO VARIATIONS – EDWARD GREGSON

THE SENIOR CUP
QUALIFYING CONTEST FOR THE 2011 GRAND SHIELD
TEST PIECE – THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON – PHILIP SPARKE

THE SENIOR TROPHY
QUALIFYING CONTEST FOR THE 2011 SENIOR CUP
TEST PIECE -: Le Roi d’Ys – EDOUARD LALO arr. FRANK WRIGHT

The Contest Organisers were advised only last month of the withdrawal of the sponsorship from Leisure Parcs, who have supported the event since it was moved to Blackpool. It is understood that this was a result of the loss of grants from Blackpool City Council to Leisure Parcs and The Winter Gardens.

This was obviously very short notice in terms of securing a replacement sponsor before proceeding with the contest arrangements, particularly in the current financial climate.

The loss of sponsorship produces a shortfall of around £12,000 in terms of the cost of the running of the three contests and the hire of the halls. However this will be met by the combination of additional capital from The Open, a reduction in running costs and an increase in the entry fees for the competing bands.

Contest Organiser Martin Mortimer said “Obviously we are disappointed that Leisure Parcs has withdrawn their support at this late stage, but we thank them for their vital sponsorship over many years at Blackpool.

We strongly believe that having spent a number of years building the Spring Festival into a serious contest that has encouraged strong interest from the Bands as well as achieving a high standard of music, the competition must continue.

We have managed to achieve this by, in effect, acting as our own sponsors and asking for the support of the bands. The Spring Festival is not a profit making event but we run this for the bands and to provide a strong qualifying platform for The British Open.

We have decided to keep the contest at The Winter Gardens as the venue, with its three halls, cafes and bars enables this to be a sociable event where supporters and bands can listen to the music and meet with friends and family.

We thank the bands for their continued support and look forward to seeing them in Blackpool.

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