GENERAL RULES

Please also see appropriate section page for additional rules for each section, and conditions on the entry form.

1. Eligibility of Competitors

All competitors are limited to non-professionals except in open classes. For the purpose of this rule, persons receiving an occasional fee will be deemed to be non-professional. Competitors not entitled to compete in one sub-section under this rule may, however, compete in another sub-section in which they can qualify as a non-professional. Any question as to the eligibility of a competitor will be decided by the committee.

2. Age of Competitors

The age of competitors will be taken as on 1st November. Competitors may not compete in a class of a higher age group than their own, except where the classes state “and under”.

3. Entry Form and Fees

All entries must be sent on official entry forms accompanied by the fee, with cheques made payable to Beckenham Festival. No conditional entries will be accepted. Entry fees and accompanists’ fees are non-returnable.

4. Multiple Entries

Only one form need be submitted for an entry consisting of two, three or four performers. Teachers may attach a list of their entries to an official entry form (except in Speech & Drama and Dancing sections – see additional rules).

5. Photocopying

Competitors are reminded that it is illegal to reproduce copyright materials by photocopying or any other means without written permission from the copyright owner. The Festival cannot be held responsible for any breaches of the copyright law. However in “own choice” classes the Festival will accept a reproduced copy for the adjudicator’s use provided that the competitor has already purchased a published copy. Any such reproduction will be retained by a Festival official and destroyed immediately after the class. In “set piece” classes a reproduced copy is not required for the adjudicator and competitors will be expected to perform either from a published copy or from memory. Reproductions for performance may be confiscated by a Festival official. At the adjudicator’s discretion competitors who contravene any aspect of these rules may be prohibited from performing, or may not receive a written report and/or mark.

6. Entry Restriction - Repeated Items

No competitor may present an item with which the competitor has been awarded first prize within the last three years at the Festival, except in the Stage Dancing section, nor may a competitor perform the same piece in more than one class.

7. Dates and Times of Classes

The dates and times of the competitions will be arranged after the entry is closed. The order of performance will be decided by ballot and competitors will be informed of the dates and approximate times of their classes once the programme is finalised.

8. Alteration of Classes / Adjudicators

The committee reserves the right to cancel competitions in any class, to change dates if necessary, and to merge or split classes. The committee reserves the right to appoint other adjudicators should unforeseen circumstances render such a course necessary.

9. Entry Charges at the Festival

Competitors, their teachers and accompanists are admitted to the hall free of charge for the session that includes the class in which they are competing. There is a daily entrance charge for non-competitors.

10. Adjudicators’ Decisions

Adjudicators may stop any performance once their judgment has been formed. Competitors who over-run the time limit may be stopped and/or penalised. If competitors are not available when called they may forfeit their right to perform. All adjudicators’ decisions concerning performance are final and no discussion or correspondence can be accepted.

11. Marks and Certificates

Marks for each competitor will be recorded on the adjudicator’s remark sheets distributed to all competitors at the end of each class. Certificates will be awarded as follows – Distinction 90 marks and above, Honours 85 – 89, Merit 80 – 84, Proficiency 75 – 79. Where the mark is below 75 a Performer’s certificate may be awarded at the adjudicator’s discretion. Marks will be announced by the adjudicator at the end of each class (Distinction and Honours marks only in Music and Speech & Drama sections).

12. Medals

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the first, second and third placed competitors, except in certificate classes (provided Honours standard is reached in Music and Speech & Drama sections). In the event of a tie the competitors judged to be equal in merit will receive identical awards.

13. Cups and Trophies

Cups, trophies, vouchers and cash prizes will only be awarded if Honours standard is reached. In the event of a competitor winning the same cup for three consecutive years, he/she will also be given a special award. Winners of cups may have them suitably engraved at their own expense. Cups must be returned by 30th September each year.

14. Loss or Damage

The committee does not hold itself responsible for any loss or damage which may occur to competitors’ copies, remark sheets or any other property at the Festival. Any lost items should be claimed within one month.

15. Injury and Behaviour

The committee does not hold itself responsible for any injury sustained by any competitor or member of the public whilst on Festival premises. The committee may refuse entry to any person found trespassing on or damaging premises or property. All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult who will be held fully responsible for the behaviour of children in their care. See Child Protection Policy below.

16. Video / Audio Recording and Mobile Phones

No video or audio recording will be allowed as it is an offence and in breach of copyright law. Mobile phones must be switched off in rooms where performances are taking place.

17. Further Information

All enquiries relating to the Festival must be sent to the secretary in writing (enclosing a stamped addressed envelope for reply), or by e-mail.

18. Personal Data

The Festival will hold personal data solely for the purpose of running the Festival. No personal data is passed to any other organisation. Names of prizewinners may be published in the local press and on the Festival website, unless requested otherwise.

The Festival invites suggestions for classes not covered by the syllabus for inclusion in future Festivals

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

reviewed March 2010

1. The objects for which the Festival is established are to advance, promote and encourage generally and by means of the Competition Festival Movement in particular, the study and practice of the arts of Music, Speech & Drama and Stage Dancing in all their branches.

2. The Festival, which is run by volunteers and is held in the venues advertised in the current syllabus, aims to provide as far as is reasonably practicable a safe and happy environment for all participants. This policy is provided in order to inform parents/guardians/teachers/responsible adults and other members of the public attending the Festival.

3. Our policy particularly relates to children under the age of 18 years and those vulnerable adults of any age who are identified to the organisers prior to their arrival at the Festival.

4. All Festival officials are volunteers who have been recruited by personal recommendation and have bona fide references as to suitability to the best of the Festival’s knowledge. When on duty, they will be wearing a Festival Official Identification Badge. They can be approached and will be able to refer any problem to the Safety Officer to resolve. All Festival officials have a job description and are aware of and support this policy.

5. The conveners of all Sections of the Festival are Safety Officers and they or their designated deputies will be present at all Festival venues to provide assistance and advice should any problem arise. A written record of any reported incident will be made and kept.

6. Whilst on the Festival premises children under 18 years remain the responsibility of their parents/guardians/teachers or responsible adult in charge, who will ensure that the children are adequately supervised at all times. This supervision applies particularly to changing rooms and public areas e.g. eating rooms, warm-up/practice rooms and toilets, as these areas are not supervised by Festival Staff. Public toilets will be identified by a Notice showing gender.

7. In the Dance Section, performers backstage will be supervised by personnel who have been voluntarily checked through the Criminal Records Bureau.

8. No photography/video recording of children under 18 will be permitted without the consent of the children’s parents or accredited supervisors. Any official photographer will have to prove their status to the Festival before being granted permission to act in an official capacity.

9. It is a condition of entry to the Festival that all individual entrants and teachers making entries have seen and signed to accept this Policy, which is printed in the Syllabus and Programme and published on the website. Where entries are made by a teacher, that teacher is required to sign an undertaking that s/he has passed this policy to parents. In this way we ensure parents know that children under the age of 18 are required to be supervised adequately on the premises at all times. The Festival committee has conveners and section leaders present on each site and they are responsible for implementing this policy.

10. The legislation and guidance that supports this policy is as follows: The Children Act 1989; The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000. We will regularly review our Policy in line with legislation and good working practices.

Access is limited for the physically disabled in certain rooms. Competitors with special needs must advise the Festival in advance of anything which might affect their performance.