Brass Bands England’s hopes of gaining widespread support for their version of a nationwide registry has been dealt a set of damaging hammer blows from the Celtic banding nations of Scotland and Wales.

Declaration of support

Meanwhile, a further declaration of support for the new Brass Band Players Registry, which is to be implemented from 1st January 2013, has been offered by the powerful regional Lancashire Contests organisation.

In statements issued by the representative bodies of the Scottish Brass Band Association and Brass Band Forum Wales, both national organisations have issued their support for the setting up of the new Brass Band Players Registry.

Supportive

George Burt, President of the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA), commented to 4BR: "SBBA will be supportive of any initiative that encourages the development of brass bands.

We view the situation as one which, with the right approach, could lead to a great opportunity to achieve far-reaching potential benefits for brass bands throughout the UK, especially if democratic control by bands can be introduced, and if a forward-looking registry system can be developed."

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He added: "SBBA implemented a player-based system two years ago, and would be pleased to share our experience of that, and also to discuss with Kapitol our views on the development of brass bands.

We welcome the fact that Kapitol recognises within its proposals the independence of Scotland and Wales, and hope that the long-term outcome of the current debate will see a strengthening of the six English regions and the general structure of the brass band fraternity in England."

Welsh support

Meanwhile, Brass Band Forum Wales Chairman Iestyn Davies, also added Welsh support for the new Registry.

"We welcome the setting up of a registry that gives individual players a democratic stake in the future of brass banding in the UK.

A new system which reflects and develops these aims and objectives is one that we believe will have a lasting benefit for all levels of banding in the UK."

Progressive move

He added: "We therefore offer our support to the new Brass Band Players Registry and hope that it will encourage others bodies to work together.

We see this as a progressive move and one which reflects our belief that the future health of banding in both Wales and the UK can only be achieved through a proactive connection to individual players. We look forward to working closely with the new registry and with like minded organisations."

We welcome the setting up of a registry that gives individual players a democratic stake in the future of brass banding in the UKIestyn Davies

Massive blow

The support of the two powerful Celtic nations in addition to that already offered by the National Championships of Great Britain, British Open, Butlins Mineworkers and All England Masters Championships will be seen as a massive blow to Brass Bands England’s hopes of maintaining a functional nationally recognised registration system.

Lancashire support

Meanwhile, the first regional based contest organiser has also come out in support on the Brass Band Players Registry.

Speaking on behalf of Lancashire Contests, who run the popular Brass at the Guild Hall and Fleetwood contests, Frank Hodges told 4BR:

"In the light of the recent development of the Brass Band Players Registry, we believe it highlights the need for the banding community to join forces to support this initiative and to work together to develop a democratic body comprising representatives of the English regions, Wales, Scotland and contest organisations."

Benefits

He added: "The new Brass Band Players Registry offer this opportunity to run a modern, effective player based system – one we can see can offer greater benefits to the banding movement in the UK."

Resolve employment issues

They concluded: "We would also urge Brass Bands England to amicably resolve the employment situation with its staff at the British Brass Band Registry, so that any further confusion over registration issues is immediately stooped and that the new registry can be running effectively as soon as possible.

Brass Band England’s present stance of wishing to implement a ballot of bands is a recipe for disaster. For the sake of making a better future for brass band contesting in the UK we would urge them to forego this action."