Reading Contest

First contest in this series 1930. Prior to WW2, known as the "Reading Band Festival", and after the war as the "Berkshire & Neighbouring Counties Band Festival Guild Annual Festival". In 1964, this reverted back to "Reading Band Festival", which is the style that it retained until the contest closed after the 2001 event, the 65th festival.

Other contests have taken place with similar titles over the years. One that is easily confused is the <a href="http://brassbandresults.co.uk/contests/READING-AND-DISTRICT-BAND-LEAGUE-ANNUAL-CONTEST/">Reading and District Band League contest</a>, which began in 1926. This was held in the first half of the year, whereas the Reading Band Festival was always held in October or November. Earlier contests belong to <a href="http://brassbandresults.co.uk/contests/READING-CONTEST-1900S/">the series of Reading contests that were run prior to WW1</a>.