4BR can reveal that the British Federation of Brass Bands has written to the competing bands at the 2009 English National Championships seeking their views concerning the event, and implicitly asking whether or not they would support the contest in the future.
Committed
4BR has seen a copy of the letter sent to band secretaries by Derek Atkinson in which it states clearly that the BFBB, '...is committed to run the ENBBC providing the invited bands continue to support the contest and we can continue to finance it.'
It is revealed that the BFBB has a contract with Preston Guild Hall to host the contest for the next three years.
You have no doubt read the band press and comments from some people who we accept know and those who have no idea what they are talking aboutBFBB
Banding press
The letter also gives its opinion on thoughts about the 2009 event from the banding press:
'You have no doubt read the band press and comments from some people who we accept know and those who have no idea what they are talking about', it says boldly.
Heaven and earth
More contentiously, Derek Atkinson, who is the English representative on EBBA goes on to state: 'It is at this time the only way to the EBBC and I know that whoever won would move heaven and earth to get to next year (sic) event in Linz.'
Not making the trip
Views expressed to 4BR at Preston on the day from a number of banding representatives suggested that more than a handful of bands would have seriously considered not making the trip to Austria on grounds of cost if they had been successful on the day.
Not wanted
The letter asks the question; 'Is it a contest not wanted', to which it gives its own reply – '14 bands wanted it and the people who attended want it – more will come we hope – we have had very few bands over the past four years that have not taken up the invite.'
Right format
The letter also states that the BFBB believes that it has the format of the ENBBC right – from the split draw format to the elongated interval, which they say, '...most adjudicators and public are demanding.'
Lesser bands
This is backed by the view expressed: 'This is better than at other contests when they leave if they feel a ‘Lesser’ band is playing and return for their favourite bands (there was very little movement in each half).'
New system
The competing bands are then asked if they were to be invited to compete at the contest again, would they support the event, whilst it is made clear that the actual cost of attending would be the same if, rather ambiguously, '...a new system was agreed.'
CV
They are also asked if the title itself is, '...important on your CV.'
The bands are thanked for their co-operation and are informed that, '...your views are important, so please take time with your thoughts and let me have ASAP (sic)'
It seems the BFBB wants know and know pretty fast.
