Butlins have announced a record number of bands competing at the forthcoming Mineworkers Festival which takes place at Butlins Skegness over the weekend of January 19 - 22 - 2007. Despite the Championship and First Section contests being full, there are still a few places left in the second, third and fourth sections and Butlins Contest administrator Brian Eggleshaw advises those bands who may still wish to enter to contact him immediately. "We apologise to those Championship and First Section bands to whom we have been unable to accommodate this time around, but do assure them that we have kept their applications on file for when future slots may become available" said Brian.

Butlins too are thrilled by increased entries for 2007 and have announced that they are extending their 20% booking discount on all tariffs, with the exception of gold, until the end of November in order to help bands who are still to complete their booking. Butlins Festival Director Steve Walker expressed his delight at the record entry. "We have over 80 bands currently entered for our Festival which represents a 30% growth on 2006. Many bands will be making their fourth visit to Skegness and are making our Festival a permanent date in their diaries. I am so pleased that the word is spreading among the banding community that the Butlins Festival is a weekend not to be missed.”

Contest Advisor Stan Lippeatt was also delighted with the entries for 2007. “I am just over the moon with this news” he said. “It represents an overwhelming endorsement from the brass band movement to the Butlins organisation. From day one Butlins have set out to make this one of the best contests around. They have always been progressive in their approach to banding whilst the facilities at Skegness are first class. The banding world have recognized this and I am so pleased for Steve and all his team”

The concept of the festival is a short break for all the family with the fellowship and camaraderie of a brass band contest. All five sections will compete on Saturday 20 January playing the set test piece. The championship section will also include an entertainment programme (hosted by BBC Radio 2’s Frank Renton) on Sunday 21 January with the aggregate of points over the two days determining the Butlins Champion Band.

Over the weekend a star studded line up of brass stars alongside all the entertainment and attractions for which Butlins is so famous. International trombone quartet Bones Apart and current Butlins Champions The Polysteel Band will be giving live performances alongside household name artists such as Bucks Fizz and the American Drifters. Roger Webster, Russell Gray, Lesley Howie, Nick Hudson and Steve Sykes are just some of the stars appearing with the Brass Band Aid Celebrity Band conducted by Richard Evans. On a lighter note there will be music and conversation from Nick Childs and soprano legend Peter Roberts who are two of the guests on Stan Lippeatt’s Chat Show whilst the Grimestein Oompah Band features well known faces from the banding world as you’ve never seen the before (for adults only).

In association with Brass Band Aid, Butlins are also thrilled to be welcoming the world renowned American trombone virtuoso Douglas Yeo to the festival. Douglas, currently playing with the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of John Williams needs no introduction to brass players. He is coming to Skegness especially to be part of the Guinness world record attempt to create the largest ever brass band. More information on this part of the festival, called The Big Blow can be found by logging on to www.thebigblow.co.uk and details of the rest of the weekend's entertainment will be released soon.

Band members and spectators are welcome to incorporate a short break family holiday with the competition. Prices start from £44 per person per break based on four sharing a Standard self-catering apartment and guests are also invited to take advantage of a 20% discount when booking before November 30 2006.