West Midlands (county) contests.

[marksmith]

In recent years, we have witnessed a decline in the number of contests available to enter, in the wider Birmingham area.
Gone are the; West Midlands Police entertainment contest, the Dudley Zoo entertainment contest, WMBBA entertainment contest, WMBBA open contest, WMBBA solo/quartet contest, etc.
Observing the success of contests in neighbouring counties (particularly Derbyshire/Leicestershire), I wonder if we are witnessing the final throes of life to the West Midlands contesting scene?
Other than the Area contest held in Bedworth, and the British Open (both Nationally generated), we have nothing to offer local bands, or the wider Brass Band community, in terms of West Midlands contesting.
It is a very sad situation, which local bands need to address.
Is it financial, or does the blame lie elsewhere? (Is it apathy that has allowed some regionally and nationally recognised events to cease to exist?)
What ever the reasons for the present state of affairs, we need our bands to work together (maybe through the local Association?) to remedy the situation before it is too late.
From being a once proud, active area, we are now almost defunct as a contesting region. Shameful.

 

[Accidental]

You raise a really interesting point, but I can't help thinking you're being a little sensationalist to make it - your definition of "recent years" is a bit of a stretch!

Sorry to ask what you'll probably think is a stupid question, but why does it matter so much if there are contests held within Birmingham or the West Midlands county?
Very few counties in the UK actually do have their own contests, but most bands don't have to travel very far to take part in other local/regional events. If you feel strongly that you should have your own contests, then perhaps a good place to start would be by talking to other bands in the area and going to the WMBBA to offer help/support/ideas...

 

[Baritonedeaf]

The WMBBA contest still runs, although due to being moved to a funny time of the year, withdrawals meant that it was cancelled last year. It is held in Pershore and this years' contest is Sunday 17th November.

Not a contest, but Perhsore Midsummer Brass festival was on Saturday - hundreds of players, from Youth - Championship performing in beautiful surroundings. That event in particular is thriving.

With some of the many fine bands in the WM area, it is a shame we don't have a few more events, I would agree. What was the Dudley Zoo contest? Sounds intriguing!