Northumberland Miners' Gala

Dave Holland - Owing to the way this contest has been reported in British Bandsman, Brass Band News, Brass Band World etc we have 4 titles for this sometimes two section contest. Even though we have it as a test piece contest on a number of occasions I think it was a march contest and that we should combine the N.M.Gala with N.M.Gala (Open Section) to form the premier section, and N.M.Gala (Section B) with N.M.Gala (Confined Class).

Long and complicated but have a programme for this contest 1970. Shows previous winners of the Burt Cup from 1930 and the bands competing in 1970 are listed in Section A. This is the section we have had listed at various times as the confined section (Northumberland Bands). The winners of the Northern Div Coal Board cup are recorded from 1949, and the competitors for 1970 are listed in Section B. We have had this recorded as the open section and Section B, depending on what had been printed in the band press. All results are accurate up to and including 1970 but we need to combine the open section and section B up to that date (ie 1970). I have access to British Bandsman 1971 onwards at the National Brass Band archive and will attempt to check results from 1971 onwards over the next few weeks.