Northern Open announces new Sponsor
The Northern Open Brass Band Championships will go ahead as planned this year, after a local company stepped in to sponsor the event.
R Banks & Son (Funerals Ltd) and its proprietor Brian Halliwell have taken over the sponsorship from Wilkinson to support the Championships which are now in their 30th year.
The Championships will take place on Sunday, November 21 at the usual venue – the Theatre Royal, St Helens.
Chairman of the Championships committee, Martin Rigby, said: “In the current economic climate it has been very difficult to obtain a meaningful sponsorship so it is with great gratitude to Brian Halliwell that we can today announce that the Northern Open Brass Band Championships will go ahead as planned this November.
“Brian is a brass band player and supporter of many years standing and is well known throughout the movement for his connection with the Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band, so it is indeed a pleasure to welcome him and his company on board for the Northern Open Championships.
“This sponsorship, coupled with the help of Lancashire contests and the North West Counties Brass Bands Association will enable us to run the event to the same high standard as previous years. Bands have always enjoyed these Championships and I am sure we will have a healthy entry for this year’s event”.
The Championships will continue in the usual format with an own choice test piece in each of the four sections.
Bands wishing to enter should contact Frank Hodges 39 Broxton Avenue, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 8NP Telephone 01942 703217 Mobile 07930 562768
Email frankhodges@btinternet.com.
Ends.
Editor’s note: Further details are available from Martin Rigby 07708024531
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