UKBBA Working Group Chairman, Stan Lippeatt, has announced that the body will stand down following a review and appraisal of progress towards the remit it was given by ‘Brass Band Summit 1’ in July 2010.

Advance

The Working Group was initially charged with investigating the formation of a body to advance the interests of bands throughout the UK by bringing together all the national representative bodies.

Statement

In a brief statement it was announced: "The Working Group feels that it has taken the proposed Alliance as far as it can at this stage, and it is now up to others, the national bodies in particular, to pick up the baton and take it forward.

We remain convinced that this concept will be in the best interests of bands in the UK, and that the vast majority of players up and down the four nations want this to happen and have been behind us."

Catalyst

Stan Lippeatt, the catalyst for the creation of the UKBBA Working Group, also commented on the decision to 4BR:

"Back in 2010 I initially promoted the concept of an effective UK wide organisation to foster and strengthen the links between grass roots banding, contest promoters, funding sources and those developing youth music.

In July 2010 at the first Brass Band Summit, the working group was formed and published proposals which have been widely supported. There was a need to raise the profile of banding as a rich vein of musicianship as befits all our bands in the UK.

At our second Brass Band Summit, again with lots of interested banding organisations in attendance, we presented our action plan for the formulation of the United Kingdom Brass Band Alliance (UKBBA) stating our aims and objectives. These ideas were greeted with a high level of enthusiasm."

The Working Group feels that it has taken the proposed Alliance as far as it can at this stage, and it is now up to others, the national bodies in particular, to pick up the baton and take it forwardUKBBA

Regrets

Stan added: "My only regret is that we did not get the support from all quarters of the banding world. Whilst we could perhaps have been better at convincing others of the necessity of UKBBA, nevertheless I am pleased with the outcomes of the Working Group.

It has developed a germ of an idea that I had some two years ago into a workable concept and at the same time raised awareness and has been the catalyst for significant changes in the structure of banding in the UK."

Positives

He concluded: "Some positive outcomes that occurred during the process have been that Northern Ireland has given a strong voice on matters pertaining to brass bands through its Brass Band League.

The British Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB) is to change its name and constitution to signify its representation of English Bands. Wales has set up its Brass Band Forum whilst, throughout, Scotland has demonstrated the benefits to banding of a united, forward-looking Association.

I look forward to the four countries working together with the optimism that they will emerge as the unified body that we are all looking for and one which our bands deserve.

Today's challenges must be seen as effective aids to progress not insurmountable barriers to change!"