MORE ABOUT THE SPRING FESTIVAL
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This year represents the 103rd running of the Spring Festival. Over the years, the format, venue, and indeed, the name, has changed.
A Brief History of the British Open Brass Band Contest The British Open Brass Band Championships, commonly referred to as the British Open, is the oldest and one of the most prestigious brass band competitions in the world. It was founded in 1853 in Manchester by Harry Mortimer and others, during a time of rising interest in organised brass band contests. Originally held at Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, the contest quickly gained prominence and has remained a central pillar of the banding calendar. |
Over the years, the contest has taken place at various venues, including Free Trade Hall, Symphony Hall in Birmingham (since 1997), and occasionally other locations. It traditionally invites bands based on merit and reputation, making qualification an elite achievement. The British Open has been notable not just for its longevity, but also for the high quality of performances and often demanding test pieces chosen by organisers.
Winning the British Open is seen as one of the greatest accolades in the banding world, rivalled only by the National Championships of Great Britain and the European Brass Band Championships. Bands such as Black Dyke, Foden’s, and Cory have etched their names repeatedly into its rich and competitive history.
A Brief History of the British Open Spring Festival
The British Open Spring Festival is a companion event to the British Open Championships and was established to create a clear and structured qualification route to the main contest. It consists of three tiers of competition: the Grand Shield, the Senior Cup, and the Senior Trophy. The Spring Festival is held annually in Blackpool, typically at the Winter Gardens, and features bands from across the UK and outlying territories.
The format is hierarchical: bands can be promoted or relegated between the tiers depending on their results. The top bands in the Grand Shield gain coveted places at the British Open Championship, providing an opportunity for ambitious bands to rise through the ranks and compete at the highest level. Likewise, poor results can lead to relegation and a longer road back to the top.
This pyramid structure encourages high standards and maintains competitive freshness in the British Open scene. The Spring Festival has grown in prestige over the decades, becoming an essential fixture for many top-tier and aspiring bands.
Want to know more Visit: https://thebritishopen.net/
Winning the British Open is seen as one of the greatest accolades in the banding world, rivalled only by the National Championships of Great Britain and the European Brass Band Championships. Bands such as Black Dyke, Foden’s, and Cory have etched their names repeatedly into its rich and competitive history.
A Brief History of the British Open Spring Festival
The British Open Spring Festival is a companion event to the British Open Championships and was established to create a clear and structured qualification route to the main contest. It consists of three tiers of competition: the Grand Shield, the Senior Cup, and the Senior Trophy. The Spring Festival is held annually in Blackpool, typically at the Winter Gardens, and features bands from across the UK and outlying territories.
The format is hierarchical: bands can be promoted or relegated between the tiers depending on their results. The top bands in the Grand Shield gain coveted places at the British Open Championship, providing an opportunity for ambitious bands to rise through the ranks and compete at the highest level. Likewise, poor results can lead to relegation and a longer road back to the top.
This pyramid structure encourages high standards and maintains competitive freshness in the British Open scene. The Spring Festival has grown in prestige over the decades, becoming an essential fixture for many top-tier and aspiring bands.
Want to know more Visit: https://thebritishopen.net/
THE SPRING FESTIVAL OVER THE YEARS
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Venues & Evolution
The British Open Spring Festival, a cornerstone in the brass band calendar, has undergone significant transformations since its inception. Originally known as the Belle Vue May Contest, it began in 1922 at the Belle Vue Zoological Gardens in Manchester. This venue hosted the contest until 1981, after which it moved to the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. In 2000, the festival found a new home at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, where it continues to be held annually. |
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Structural Changes & Naming Conventions
The festival's structure has evolved over the years to accommodate the growing number of participating bands and to create a clear pathway to the prestigious British Open Championships. Initially, the contest featured a single section, but by 1931, it expanded to include multiple classes (A, B, C, D). In 1952, the festival introduced six sections: Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy, Junior Shield, Junior Cup, and Junior Trophy. However, over time, the junior sections were phased out, with the focus shifting to the senior tiers. Notably, the Senior Cup was reinstated in 2001, followed by the Senior Trophy in 2002, solidifying the current three-tier structure.
The festival's structure has evolved over the years to accommodate the growing number of participating bands and to create a clear pathway to the prestigious British Open Championships. Initially, the contest featured a single section, but by 1931, it expanded to include multiple classes (A, B, C, D). In 1952, the festival introduced six sections: Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy, Junior Shield, Junior Cup, and Junior Trophy. However, over time, the junior sections were phased out, with the focus shifting to the senior tiers. Notably, the Senior Cup was reinstated in 2001, followed by the Senior Trophy in 2002, solidifying the current three-tier structure.
First and Most Recent Winners
To list all winners of the contest wuld be a mammoth task. However, plese see below the first and most recent winners (which in the case of the 'Junior' contest - are the last winners) of the contest - in it's current format (Trophy, Cup, Shield). There are some well-known winners, and some that are not so well known.
Grand Shield:
* If anyone knows the test piece for the Junior Cup in 1978, plese let me know know through the contacts page.
To list all winners of the contest wuld be a mammoth task. However, plese see below the first and most recent winners (which in the case of the 'Junior' contest - are the last winners) of the contest - in it's current format (Trophy, Cup, Shield). There are some well-known winners, and some that are not so well known.
Grand Shield:
- First Winner (1952): Leyland Motors Band, conducted by Harold Moss, performing "Pride of Race".
- Recent Winner (2024): Oldham Band (Lees), under John Collins, with "A Brussels Requiem".
- First Winner (1952): Royston New Monckton Colliery Band, led by William Foster, playing "Owain Glyndwr".
- Recent Winner (2024): Amersham Band, conducted by Paul Fisher, with "The New Jerusalem".
- First Winner (1952): Oldham Band, directed by Leonard Lamb, with "The Three Musketeers".
- Recent Winner (2024): Ebbw Valley Brass, under Gareth Ritter, with "Journey to the Centre of the Earth".
- First Winner (1952): Pemberton Old Band, led by James Fairhurst, with "Petite Suite de Ballet".
- Last Winner (1974): Clifton and Lightcliffe, conducted by James Hickman, playing "Shakespearean Rhapsody"
- First Winner (1952): Clayton West, under George Hallas, with "Mignonne"
- Last Winner (1978): Manx Youth Band, directed by James Crosbie, performing "Unknown"*
- First Winner (1952): Langwith Miners Welfare, conducted by Reginald Mason, playing "Wayside Scenes"
- Last Winner (1974): North Skelton and District, under Ken Robinson, with "Three Songs without Words"
* If anyone knows the test piece for the Junior Cup in 1978, plese let me know know through the contacts page.
SPRING FESTIVAL STAT ATTACK!
The Spring Fesitival has seen many different bands compete and win titles over the 102 year history.
2024 WINNERS
The current title holders, and the test pieces they won with are as follows:
GRAND SHIELD: Oldham Band (Lees) - A Brussels Requiem
SENIOR CUP: Amersham - The New Jerusalem
SENIOR TROPHY: Ebbw Valley - Journey to the Centre of the Earth
BAND STATS
MULTIPLE WINS
Only two bands have won a trophy five times at the Spring Fesitval. The bands, trophies and test pieces are as follows:
Dove Holes Public (now non-contesting):
Rothwell Temperance:
BAND WITH SUCCESS AT ALL LEVELS OF THE SPRING FESTIVAL
To Date... NO BAND has ever won the contest at every level (in the 'modern era')!
HOWEVER, a win for WOODFALLS in this year's Senior Cup COULD write the history books!
MUSIC STATS
MOST-USED TEST PIECE
Two test pieces have been used in the British Open* contest, as are shown below:
Pageantry:
Divertimento (Ball):
TEST PIECES SHOWING AT ALL LEVELS OF THE SPRING FESTIVAL
Only one piecee has been contested in the Grand Shield, Senior Cup and Senior Trophy:
Journey Into Freedom:
MD STATS
MOST SUCCESSFUL MDs
Two MDs have lifted a trophy six times in the history of the contest as follows:
Nicholas Childs:
Edmund Hoole:
MD WITH SUCCESS AT ALL LEVELS OF THE SPRING FESTIVAL
Only one MD has raised all three accolades in the current version of the Spring Festival (Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
William Lippeatt
*** MORE TO FOLLOW ***
2024 WINNERS
The current title holders, and the test pieces they won with are as follows:
GRAND SHIELD: Oldham Band (Lees) - A Brussels Requiem
SENIOR CUP: Amersham - The New Jerusalem
SENIOR TROPHY: Ebbw Valley - Journey to the Centre of the Earth
BAND STATS
MULTIPLE WINS
Only two bands have won a trophy five times at the Spring Fesitval. The bands, trophies and test pieces are as follows:
Dove Holes Public (now non-contesting):
- 1928: Belle View May Contest - Mirella (arr. Godfrey)
- 1960: Junior Cup - The Princess and the Poet
- 1965: Junior Shield - The Princess and the Poet
- 1966: Senior Trophy - Egmont (arr. Ball)
- 1968: Senior Cup - Devon Fantasy
Rothwell Temperance:
- 1997 - Grand Shield - Festival Music (Symphonic Suite)
- 2003 - Senior Cup - Paganini Variations
- 2009 - Grand Shield - Contest Music
- 2015 - Grand Shield - Arabian Nights
- 2022 - Grand Shield - Dynasty
BAND WITH SUCCESS AT ALL LEVELS OF THE SPRING FESTIVAL
To Date... NO BAND has ever won the contest at every level (in the 'modern era')!
HOWEVER, a win for WOODFALLS in this year's Senior Cup COULD write the history books!
MUSIC STATS
MOST-USED TEST PIECE
Two test pieces have been used in the British Open* contest, as are shown below:
Pageantry:
- British Open (3): 1934, 1942, 1970
- Grand Shield (1): 1995
- Senior Cup (1): 2009
Divertimento (Ball):
- Junior Cup (2): 1965, 1970
- Belleview May Contest Class B (1): 1947
- Belleview May Contest Class C (1): 1950
- Belleview May Contest Class D (1): 1951
TEST PIECES SHOWING AT ALL LEVELS OF THE SPRING FESTIVAL
Only one piecee has been contested in the Grand Shield, Senior Cup and Senior Trophy:
Journey Into Freedom:
- Grand Shield (1): 1985
- Senior Cup (1): 2004
- Senior Trophy (1): 2013
MD STATS
MOST SUCCESSFUL MDs
Two MDs have lifted a trophy six times in the history of the contest as follows:
Nicholas Childs:
- 1996 - Grand Shield - Wingates
- 2011 - Grand Shield - Reg Vardy
- 2013 - Senior Cup - Woodfalls
- 2017 - Grand Shield - Whitburn
- 2019 - Grand Shield - NASUWT Riverside
- 2023 - Grand Shield - Whitburn
Edmund Hoole:
- 1952 - Senior Trophy - Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery
- 1954 - Senior Cup - Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery
- 1958 - Grand Shield - Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery
- 1960 - Junior Shield - Rawmarsh Prize
- 1963 - Grand Shield - Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery
- 1965 - The Mossley Band - Grand Shield
MD WITH SUCCESS AT ALL LEVELS OF THE SPRING FESTIVAL
Only one MD has raised all three accolades in the current version of the Spring Festival (Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
William Lippeatt
- 1965 - Senior Trophy - Grimethorpe Colliery Junior
- 1967 - Senior Cup - Grimethorpe Colliery Junior
- 1969 - Grand Shield - Thoresby Colliery Welfare
*** MORE TO FOLLOW ***