An upbeat Stan Lippeatt, Chairman of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators has informed 4BR that despite losing two of their finest members in the past year, a new generation of budding top class judges has joined the organisation.

Great servants

Stan told 4BR: "Quite a lot has happened this year to-date with regard to the membership of ABBA. We lost two of our great mentors in the passing of Major Peter Parkes and Roy Newsome, both instrumental in the foundation of ABBA. They were both great servants to the cause from its inception. We lost two great adjudicators, musicians and motivators."

He added: "However, I’m delighted that John Roberts has accepted the invitation to replace Peter on the ABBA Executive, whilst Stephen Cobb, Jonathan Corry, David Roberts, Ewan Easton, David Thornton, Alwyn Green, Brett Baker, Alan Widdop and Allan Holdsworth have been accepted to become ABBA members working within our tiered system."

The additions to our membership show the commitment ABBA has to continual development and for the long term future of the associationABBA Chairman, Stan Lippeatt

Membership

Stan revealed that full membership has also been offered to several other prominent figures, whilst John Doyle has been promoted to full member due to the very busy year of ABBA and other contest assignments, whilst Marie Smith and Steven Brodie have become Associate Members.

Long term

He also pointed out that negotiations are in progress between ABBA, Bob Childs and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama into the reintroduction of a Brass Band Adjudicators Diploma.

Stan added: "The additions to our membership show the commitment ABBA has to continual development and for the long term future of the association."