Festival’s great prizes attract bands from all over country

THE Wychavon Festival has been going since the late 1980s when the Vale of Evesham Commerce and Tourism Association decided that a band competition may attract visitors and at the same time provide some entertainment to the local populace by experiencing music from brass bands.

Since then support has come from the Wychavon District Council and other local organisations which have seen the Wychavon Festival grow into the very popular event that has attracted bands from all over the UK.

The organisers for this 2021 Festival, after the postponement of last years event, are hoping that bands are beginning to get together and will be able to prepare properly for the contest on October 30 at Evesham.

In the past this festival has attracted many Welsh bands over the years and many of them have seen success.

Overall, prizes are very attractive, as an example the 1st prize in Championship Section is £1,250; First Section £900, then £600, £500 to £400 in the Fourth Section and there is a special prize of £100 in each of the sections for the most entertaining band. The organisers for this year’s festival are happy with the number of entries in the Championship and First Section, but hope to see more entries from Second, Third and Fourth Section bands.

The organisers point out that if the contest is postponed for any reason then entered bands will be carried over to the new date in 2022 or they can have their entry fee refunded.

I can say from personal experience, having been a playing member of a couple of bands who competed at the festival over the years, that the Wychavon Festival is certainly well organised and is a really good experience for both players and listeners.