WEST OF ENGLAND BANDSMAN’S FESTIVAL, 
CENTENARY ENTRIES NOW OPEN.
Saturday June 16th 2012

First held in 1912, The West of England Bandsman’s Festival celebrates its Centenary Festival on Saturday June 16th 2012. This unique open air contest is the only one in the world to award a Royal Trophy, presented to the Festival in 1913 by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall. In addition to The Royal Trophy the Contest Schedule lists over forty perpetual Cups and Shields available to be won by both Bands and individual players, as well as over £4300 in prize money. 

Popularly known now as the Bugle Contest, one of its special attractions is that the competing Bands march down through the village to the Contest Field at the start the day, prior to the competition sections on the covered Band Stand, and then march back in the evening, the winners proudly bearing their Trophies before them. 

This is an Open Contest and entries are invited from brass bands in any area for the seven Sections, including Youth and Training. Other than Youth and Training, the Sections have set Test Pieces, with music this year by Philip Sparke, Goff Richards, Alan Fernie, Leighton Lucas and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The Adjudicator for the Centenary Festival is Cornishman John Berryman, whose association with the Festival goes back to the 1950’s, when as Principal Cornet of The Camborne Town Band he won the Best Player Award in both 1957 and 1958. Since then he has conducted and previously adjudicated at the Festival, a very special record.

Detailed Schedules and Entry Forms are now available from the Festival Promoter, Andrew Teague, 01726 815662, E Mail t.butler5@sky.com 

With many special features this year to mark this very special anniversary demand for places will be high, so bands are advised to make early application.   

Phillip Hunt, Publicity Officer. 01752 843919.