4BR understands that the future of the proposed United Kingdom Brass Band Alliance appears to have been dealt two terminal blows.
No insistence
4BR has been informed that Kapitol Promotions Ltd who run the National Championship of Great Britain, and Butlins, who organise the Mineworkers Championships, have decided not to insist that bands that compete at their events have to be members of any current or future national bodies – including the BFBB.
Speaking to a number of sources, 4BR found that a lack of clearly defined proposals, information and understanding led to the seven regional representatives at the recent Kapitol Promotions Forum unanimously confirming that they did not wish to participate in the ‘organisation or formation of the proposed UKBBA’.
Little understanding
One person told 4BR: "The meeting was adamant that there was very little understanding from the people behind the proposed UKBBA of how and why the regions are run. The regions represent the bands and work for their benefit. It’s a democratic organisation. We didn’t believe that the proposals to set up the UKBBA understood or appreciated this."
It is understood that after a lengthy discussion the seven regional representatives (Scotland was absent) decided not to be involved in any organisation or formation of a proposed UKBBA body.
Our remit is to organise the Regional Championships. We are more than happy to do this as we believe it is in the best interests of our member bands and the movement as a wholeSource speaking to 4BR
Not a recruiting agent
Another person told 4BR: "We are not a recruiting agent for the BFBB or any other organisation. If they were that good in the first place, you would have thought everyone would have wanted to join."
They added: "Our remit is to organise the Regional Championships. We are more than happy to do this as we believe it is in the best interests of our member bands and the movement as a whole."
Butlins
4BR also understands that the Butlins Mineworkers Championships will also not insist on any competing band being a member of the BFBB or any other national body to compete at their event.
A source told 4BR: "Butlins is a company that runs a brass band competition and does so for the benefit of all those who wish to take part in the contests at any level. Butlins has no business insisting on bands having to be members of any national bodies but only to come and enjoy what we have to offer."
Barrier
The decision by the biggest promoters of national brass band events not to insist on competing bands being members of any national bodies seems to provide an intractable barrier to the current UKBBA proposals, which were to be discussed at the recently postponed meeting in Birmingham.
Not all lost
However, not all may be lost as one source close to recent events added: "Everyone wants to see something work, but this structure and the way it has been run has been a disaster. It needs to be looked at again."
The next proposed meeting of the umbrella group and interested parties is due to take place on 2nd July.
