Wouldnt it be a good idea for the Trorchy, Ammonford/Burryport and Ebbw Vale contests to be run just for the 1st section down??
It makes sense for these contests to continue, as they are all that some of the lower section bands in Wales have as the centre of their banding calender. However as we have been discovering over the past 10 years or so it is becomng more and more unviable for the championship section bands to attend, not just because of the ludicrously low prizes but also clashes with other band contests, e.g. european, Pontins, Nationals, Grand shield and senior cup etc etc.
Also the near future will see even less bands bothering with the contests in the championship section as the association changed the rules, for better or worse, regarding the welsh champions, and it seems that bands wont be demoted for not attending, or at least this was the case for Cory.
Im saying then that if you don't have to attend to be welsh champions (now decided on the area), risk financial ruin by attending, and probably have higher ranking contests to attend, wouldnt it be better to withdraw the champoinship section from the contests?
Perhaps the association could concentrate their efforts of creating a more viable contest for the championship section bands in Wales??!! Perhaps at one of the three venues with invited english and international bands. A flagship contest for the Welsh association which all the bands would love to attend and lower section bands could aim for!! . I realise that a sponser is never easy to find, and a project like this needs one or more, but it must be possible. Im sure Mr Biggs or someone like him would give us a helping hand setting it up or at least drwing up some plans. A Welsh Open, Or Welsh Masters Championship?? We could have a Celtic Open with the Scottish and Irish Association. The possibilities are endless. Why Not Consider it??!!
It must be better than a championship section in Treorchy with £125 prize money and 3 bands!!! :?
It makes sense for these contests to continue, as they are all that some of the lower section bands in Wales have as the centre of their banding calender. However as we have been discovering over the past 10 years or so it is becomng more and more unviable for the championship section bands to attend, not just because of the ludicrously low prizes but also clashes with other band contests, e.g. european, Pontins, Nationals, Grand shield and senior cup etc etc.
Also the near future will see even less bands bothering with the contests in the championship section as the association changed the rules, for better or worse, regarding the welsh champions, and it seems that bands wont be demoted for not attending, or at least this was the case for Cory.
Im saying then that if you don't have to attend to be welsh champions (now decided on the area), risk financial ruin by attending, and probably have higher ranking contests to attend, wouldnt it be better to withdraw the champoinship section from the contests?
Perhaps the association could concentrate their efforts of creating a more viable contest for the championship section bands in Wales??!! Perhaps at one of the three venues with invited english and international bands. A flagship contest for the Welsh association which all the bands would love to attend and lower section bands could aim for!! . I realise that a sponser is never easy to find, and a project like this needs one or more, but it must be possible. Im sure Mr Biggs or someone like him would give us a helping hand setting it up or at least drwing up some plans. A Welsh Open, Or Welsh Masters Championship?? We could have a Celtic Open with the Scottish and Irish Association. The possibilities are endless. Why Not Consider it??!!
It must be better than a championship section in Treorchy with £125 prize money and 3 bands!!! :?