Date Ouse Valley Sounds contest changed

A number of weeks ago the organising committee of Ouse Valley Sounds was advised by the venue, Bedford International Athletics Stadium, of a clash of dates between the BYBA contest and an athletics event. The committee were offered a number of alternatives around the original date, however due to other BYBA contests the only suitable alternative open was Saturday 13th September.
 
Following notification from the stadium, the organising committee spent a considerable amount of time and effort trying to secure an alternative site for the Sunday date that offered the same level amenities for both bands and spectators alike. "Unfortunately they were not been able to do so", says contest director Warren Storey. "We were therefore left with no alternative but to approach the performance committee, persuade them of the efforts, and seek their approval to change the date from Sunday 14th September to Saturday 13th September."

Having been granted approval, the organising committee have been in discussion with those corps who have entered Ouse Valley Sounds this year to inform them of the enforced change and seek confirmation of their intentions in light of the change of date. Very regrettably one corps, 6th Hove Scouts, has been unable to change its plans and has had to withdraw.
 
As the committee have been left with no alternative but to change the day from Sunday to Saturday they have also considered what they could do to enhance the day still further. To this end they have decided to try and implement one of the recent BYBA Task Force recommendations to promote evening performances by starting the performance day around 1pm with the Junior Division, to run through into the evening to try and take advantage of the stadium's flood lights. The corps registered to compete were consulted on the later start and this has been widely supported.
 
It has been agreed with BYBA and DCE that this contest will be subject to the DCE judging system for those corps wanting to register a DCE accredited score for seeding purposes at this year's DCE European Championships and they remain open to other Corps that may still want to enter. This applies to all Division I and Associates Class competing corps.
 
"Despite the sad withdrawal of 6th Hove we are excited to be able to offer a high quality experience at an excellent venue and what should be a great showcase for our activity", contest director Warren Stoery said.