Information for bands

The following information has been sent to all band secretaries.

PARKING: There is no parking available within the Centre itself you should allow plenty of time to get to the venue and park in the nearby public car parks.

DOORS: The main entrance to the building will be open to the public at 7:30am on both days. Entry to the Contest Halls will be permitted approximately 15 minutes before the start of each section.

ADMISSION TICKETS: See Ticket Prices

COMPETITORS TICKETS: These should be collected from the Programmes Desk in the foyer by the band’s nominated representative.

REHEARSALS: Bands are advised to make their own rehearsal arrangements.

REFRESHMENTS: Various facilities, including bars and vending machines, are available at the Centre.

TRADE STANDS: There will be several trade stands situated in the foyer and gallery offering a wide range of merchandise, music and other band-related services. Please pay them a visit during the weekend.

CONTEST RULES: The National Rules (January 2026) will be used for this event. They have already been sent to all band secretaries and may be downloaded from this site.

REGISTRATION: BBP Ltd registration cards must be used at this contest. Any player presenting a card that is not compliant for any reason will not be permitted to play – if they do, the Band may be disqualified. Please remember that any new or transferring players must be received and processed by BBP Ltd by Friday 13th March 2026 at the latest. It is the responsibility of the Band officials to ensure that all of its players are correctly registered and eligible to play at the contest. Each player will also need to present their competitors ticket at the registration desk and any spares must be returned at the same time.

BORROWED PLAYERS (SECTIONS ONE, TWO, THREE & FOUR ONLY): Bands that intend using the borrowed player option this year must submit the borrowed player form to the Regional Secretary by Friday 13th March at the latest. The form has been sent to all band secretaries.

DRAW: *In view of the large entry in this years’ contest, the Regional Committee implemented a split draw (Rule14d) for Sections 1-4. The draw details were emailed to secretaries on 18th January 2026.

The order of play will be decided by a draw in the control room, which will is the Alleyne Room on the first floor of the Arts & Leisure Centre. Please arrive 10 minutes before the stated draw time so that you receive all necessary information beforehand. Only one representative from each band will be allowed into the room.

ASSEMBLY AREA: Band representatives will be informed of the assembly area arrangements at the draw. Please note we are unable to accommodate any band in the area before the draw is held for their section. Food & drink are prohibited in the area, and playing instruments in the area is strictly forbidden other than during the official warm-up period.

WARM-UP AREA: Bands will be offered a 5-10 minute warm-up and tune-up opportunity within the Assembly Area, prior to signing on at the registration desk. The time and content of the warm-up will be monitored by one of the stewards, and must not include playing hymn tunes or any of the test piece.

PERCUSSION & STAGE SET-UP: Please see the separate diagram attachment which you should print, complete and hand in at the draw. Your band must not travel with large percussion as it cannot be moved safely around the building. Please note that the Timpani will be in a set position on stage as per the diagram provided. Other large items may be retained in a set position at the discretion of the Contest Management. As previously notified to Section Two bands, a “Water Gong” is not being provided and so the bands will have to use either a Tam-Tam or Cymbal in accordance with the score’s instructions. A small percussion group will be allowed on stage to help arrange their equipment, and another 2 players will be allowed to arrange the seating at the same time prior to the rest of the band joining them on stage.

NATIONAL ANTHEM: The bands drawn number one in sections Four and Two will be required to play the National Anthem (Number 61 in the Red Hymn Book) at the start of the contest.

TEST PIECE ERRATA: In the event of an Errata being issued by the publisher or composer it will be sent to band secretaries and also published on the Kapitol Promotions Ltd and Regional Contest websites.

RESULTS CEREMONY: One representative from each band will be requested on stage for the ceremony, and it would be appreciated if uniform or other smart clothing are worn. The Results Delegate card will be placed on the stage chairs in draw order.

ADJUDICATOR’S REMARKS: The Adjudicator’s remarks should be collected from the Dance Studio which is directly behind the Theatre stage, on production of the Delegates Card, immediately after the prize-giving ceremony. Any adjudicator’s remarks not collected within 10 minutes of the results being announced will be scanned and e-mailed to the band secretary within a few days following the Contest.

RECORDINGS: World of Sound will record and stream all performances again this year following the announcement of the results via their Wobplay subscription service. The Regional Committee will not enter into correspondence or discussion as regards to the relative merits of any performance based on these recordings. The use of personal recording devices of any kind is strictly prohibited. The Committee and Hall Management reserve the right to refuse entrance or evict any person carrying or using any such equipment.

SAFEGUARDING & BOPA: An email detailing the Safeguarding requirements in order for the Regional Committee to apply to Brass Bands England (BBE) to use their Body of Persons Approval (BoPA) to allow children of compulsory school age (16 and under or have completed ‘Year 11’) to perform with their band at the Regional Contest was sent to all band secretaries on the 22nd January 2026. This information must be received by the Regional Safeguarding Officer by the 7th of February at the latest.

Your band must have written permission for any child to take part that is not accompanied by a parent or guardian. You’ll also need emergency medical information, emergency contact details and photo consent*. Please have this information available on the day; L&SCRC do not need to see this information, unless an issue arises. However, if we are inspected by BBE or the Local Authority, you may be asked to provide this information.

It is incumbent on all individual bands to adhere to the Terms and Conditions relating to the use of the BoPA, regardless of whether or not they have children aged 16 or under performing on the day.

The information we need from all entered bands is:

Name and contact mobile phone number of the person who will be responsible for safeguarding in your band on the day of the contest.
Written confirmation that your band has, or will have by the date of the contest, an adopted policy that deals with Safeguarding issues that may arise either within your band, or in relation to other band’s members, or the general public. (Examples are available on the BBE website)
Maximum number of children aged 16 or under that will perform on the day of the contest (n.b. It is better to overestimate rather than underestimate).

Please remember that your band is responsible for always supervising your young players, plus any children that may come along to support you.

*If photo consent is declined or not available for any band/band member, please let the Regional Secretary know in advance of the contest

DISCLAIMER: The Regional Committee accepts no responsibility whatsoever for personal injury (fatal or otherwise) unless such injury is shown to be the result of negligence on the part of the Regional Committee. Band members must ensure that all safety precautions are observed.

The Regional Committee accepts no responsibility whatsoever for loss of or damage to personal property and all band members are required to take appropriate steps to safeguard their property.

The Regional Committee accepts no responsibility for costs to the Bands in respect of the cancellation of the Regional Contest on or before the Contest date.

On behalf of the Regional Committee, I wish every band a happy and successful contest.

Kevin Williams

Secretary, L&SC Regional Committee