Brass Bands England has revealed the results of its ballot, which asked bands who used the British Brass Band Registry if they were best served by the system run under their auspices at Barnsley.

42% turn out

A 42% turnout of 202 bands (48% calculated on those competing at the 2012 Regional Championships) saw 186 (92%) answer yes, whilst 12 (6%) replied no, and 4 bands (2%) abstained.

In response to the second question asked on the ballot paper, that band’s firmly rejected the proposal from Kapitol and will not be registering with Brass Band Players Limited, 139 (69%) answered yes, with 47 (23%) replying no.

Brass Bands England also seriously recommends to bands that they are not hasty in signing up to a new Registry – wait until the full implications have been laid before youBBE

Spoken

The official response by BBE was revealed under the heading: "English Bands have Spoken – Overwhelmingly………"

It stated:

"As they say, what can’t speak can’t lie. The British Brass Band Registry invited their members to complete a ballot paper asking if they felt that they were best served for the future by the present Registry operated by Brass Bands England.

Out of the 202 papers returned 186 (92%) answered yes; 12 (6%) said no and 4 (2%) abstained.

Question 2 on the ballot paper asked ‘if you answered ‘yes’ to question 1, please confirm that your band firmly rejects the proposal from Kapitol and will not be registering with Brass Band Players Limited’.

In reply 139 (69%) rejected Kapitol’s proposals outright and 47 (23%) felt they would eventually join the new registry as they had no choice if they wanted to enter the English Regional’s.

There was a 42% return and 48% if calculated on the number of bands competing in the 2012 Regionals.

At the board meeting of Brass Bands England held on Saturday 10th November the Directors were delighted with the vote of confidence in the BBBR and thanked the bands for taking the time to take part in the ballot.

They also thanked the Bands for their emails and telephone calls offering support and thoughts.

The Board felt that Kapitol Promotions Limited had lost sight that they were dealing with hobbyists who totally and utterly have freedom of choice when choosing how they wish to spend their spare time.

Too many times Bands stated that Kapitol Promotions Limited were acting as a dictatorship, and were also trying to extort money from the bands.

Some other pertinent comments from the bands were ‘we are dismayed and disgusted that this act of dictatorship is being forced upon bands and in the long term could decimate the movement’; ‘Kapitol have the bands backed against the wall’; ‘we cannot answer this question as it may prevent us entering the area’.

The Directors of Brass Bands England were also disappointed in the point blank refusal of Kapitol Promotions Limited to meet to discuss where they feel that The British Brass Band Registry were letting the bands down and not providing a proficient, professional registry service.

It seems that it is purely a perception of Kapitol Promotions Limited because Brass Bands England have received neither evidence nor complaints from their bands of failure to carry out their business promptly and efficiently – in fact totally and utterly the opposite.

Brass Bands England is also concerned that this proposal by Kapitol may be subject to the 1998 Competition Act — Abuse of Dominant Position and is investigating further.

Brass Bands England will do all they can to assist and promote bands in being able to pursue and enjoy their hobby and assure them that they are always willing to listen and assist in the betterment of the movement. Brass Bands England is more than willing to meet with any groups of bands that wish to discuss/question them on any issue regarding the Registry.

Bands are seriously encouraged to contact their Regional Secretaries and make their opinion clear and in turn encourage them to organise a general meeting for all their bands to hear their thoughts.

This meeting should be for the bands to air their thoughts and views and the regional committees to listen and take on board these items.

Brass Bands England also seriously recommends to bands that they are not hasty in signing up to a new Registry – wait until the full implications have been laid before you.”

Brass Bands England