Bands line up for judging (From Stroud News and Journal)

Bands line up for judging

STROUD is to spring into life later this week when its first ever Marching and Show Band contest takes place.

Six bands will be put to the test in front of seasoned judges on Saturday, September 28.

The bands will process from the High Street along Kendrick Street, Russell Street, King Street Parade and George Street, playing en route, before giving a ten minute performance on the Subscription Rooms Forecourt.

The first band plays at 10am, followed by the others at half hourly intervals.

Six bands from various parts of the country are taking part: 37th Kingswood Cadets from Bristol; Kingston and Malden Scout and Guide Band from Surrey; Bridgtown Concert and Show Band from Walsall; Warwick Girls; Polar Stars from Bristol and the Stroud School of Samba.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the judges faces when they have to judge the Stroud School of Samba," said co-organiser and Town Councillor Bernard Brown.

"They're a great band but they aren't what the judges will be used to!"

After judges have delivered their verdicts, the prize-giving will take place at 2pm, with a performance by the winning band.

The competing bands will also perform for street collections at The Queen Victoria, Merrywalks, Cornhill, Park Gardens and outside Woolworths.

Prizes include a cup for the most amusing band, best soloist and funniest individual, as well as the conventional 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes.

The event has been made possible by prize money sponsorship from Stroud Town Council, with the support of various local traders, who have supplied cups.

"We're going to need a sponsor for next year," Mr Brown added. "It would only take an outlay of about £1,000 and is bound to do a lot of good for Stroud."