4BR has been informed that following its high profile launch at the Senedd National Assembly of Wales in late February, Brass Band Forum Wales has undertaken a number of discreet projects to further its aims of ensuring its nation’s sustainable banding future.

Upbeat

After a successful Welsh challenge at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall, Forum Chairperson Iestyn Davies was upbeat about the steps the representative organisation had taken, as he told 4BR:

"Once again we’ll have four bands competing at the Albert Hall in 2013, as well as an increase in numbers at the Spring Festival to try and join our trio of contenders at the British Open. So at the top level, it’s been another good year for Welsh banding."

Lower echelons

However, despite the high profile contesting successes, Iestyn confessed that he has been more encouraged by the progress being made in the lower echelons of Welsh banding, especially with the increase in the number of youth bands taking part in local contests.

"The top draw success is nothing if it’s not built on a firm grass roots foundation," he added.

"We can’t afford to be blinded by the success of a handful of bands, most of whom don’t actually compete in Wales on a regular basis it must be said! But, with bands being reformed, more youth bands springing up and competing, the overall picture is looking much healthier."

Excellent work

He was keen to emphasise this from his first hand experience at the current Welsh League contests. "We’ve seen bands like Goodwick take responsibility for the West Wales BBA contest in Fishguard, and there is excellent organisational work going on in South East and North Wales. There are still some teething problems of course, but bands at all levels are starting to benefit from co-operation and consultation."

His follow up work through his extensive contacts at the Senedd has also started to bear fruit too, as he explained:

"Forum members have also been lobbying their Assembly Members to support funding for banding and there’s also been an increased awareness of the importance banding plays in our culture amongst media outlets too."

Next step forward

Iestyn believes the most recent step forward has been seen with the publication of a comprehensive discussion paper, addressing issues of player registration, promotion and relegation, conductor and adjudication development and even audience participation with a number of progressive proposals.

Produced by forum member and Burry Port Town Band Chairman Graham Howe, the paper has been shared with Forum Facebook members and is due to be more formerly discussed by the West Wales and South East Wales Brass Band Associations with the aim of trying to develop a more dynamic approach to the current three-contest Welsh League structure.

Major discussion paper

Iestyn is upbeat about what could be built on its proposals: "This is the first major discussion paper to be put forward by the Forum, and we are delighted that two Associations have agreed to discuss its content."

He added: "Graham Howe has produced an excellent report that I’m sure will help create a much more inclusive and progressive avenue of discussion and debate – one that can only be of benefit to Welsh banding."

All Wales approach

According to Iestyn the discussions have benefited from the perspective of the North Wales Association, which has been immensely useful as the Forum works towards an ‘all-Wales’ approach in the future.

Reflecting on recent developments Iestyn concluded: "As well as sharing my report on the first year of the Forum I am also going to write to each of the three Associations and the Regional Council to ask them to examine how well we recognise, value and respect diversity and how we protect children and vulnerable adults within banding."

He added: "I hope each of the four key banding organisations in Wales will be able to develop a standardised approach to these two important issues."

Graham Howe has produced an excellent report that I’m sure will help create a much more inclusive and progressive avenue of discussion and debate – one that can only be of benefit to Welsh bandingIestyn Davies

Inclusive

He continued: "We’ve talked a lot about some rather inward issues so far — and that’s very important, but when it comes to concerns such as diversity and child protection we have to look at a range of issues with a degree of perspective that only an inclusive all-Wales view can bring."

Since its inception in October 2011, the Forum has been constituted in such as way as to allow direct representation by bands-people from across Wales.

Representatives

4BR understands that its Chairman will now be asking the three Wales Associations to nominate its representatives and to agree to the co-option of advisors to help the Forum continue in its work with a view to establishing a more representative and democratically accountable all- Wales body in the near future.

With the first Chairperson’s report on the work of the Forum being sent to the three local associations ahead of their AGMs, and a copy being sent to the Wales Regional Council, Iestyn hopes that its series of recommendations will promote some serious debate in Welsh banding circles but also some definitive action too.

Lots to do

He concluded: "We’ve got lots to do if we are going to secure a sustainable future for banding in Wales. It will be up to others to decide how they now want to proceed.

After they’ve had a chance to consider the report it will be published on the website and on the Facebook page for everyone to consider if they think it is a viable way forward."