Alder Valley Brass has informed 4BR that they are ‘astounded’ by the decision of the Kapitol Promotions Appeal Panel that will see the band having to compete at the West of England rather than London & Southern Counties Regional Championships in 2015.

Temporary move

They told 4BR that a temporary move to a new rehearsal facility in March this year, just 1700 metres from their original band room site, led to correspondence being sent by an unknown individual advising Kapitol Promotions and the L&SC Regional Committee that, as the band now had their rehearsal facility in Hampshire, they should compete at Torquay rather than Stevenage if they wished to try and qualify for the National Finals.

Always competed at Stevenage

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "We have always competed at the London & Southern Counties Regional Championship, despite moving to a new temporary home in Fleet, Hampshire in 2011, when we lost the use of our own rehearsal room.

Since 2011, enormous time, money and effort have been spent trying to find alternative suitable and affordable permanent accommodation with every possible avenue being researched.

Finally, in March, better accommodation became available just 1700 metres from our original band room site — although this is also a temporary alternative — resulting in this astounding decision."

Intention

They added: "The situation is made all the more complex as being able to afford permanent accommodation in an area of very high property prices is exceptionally difficult, but it has always been the band’s intention to return ‘home’ as soon as is feasibly possible.

We have supported our Regional Championships event for over 50 years, and wish to continue to do so."

Respects decision

4BR understands that although Alder Valley fully respects the decision that has been made, they believe that current National Rules have not been applied correctly, and more importantly, the initial correspondence has come from a person whose identity has not been verified.

They continued: "An individual by the name of Mr. J Wallis emailed the London & Southern Counties Regional Committee Secretary and Kapitol Promotions on 28th May 2014, advising them that the new rehearsal facility was in Hampshire and therefore we should have to compete at the West of England Area Contest.

From this, the L&SC Committee duly advised us that we were no longer eligible to compete at Stevenage and we in turn presented a case appealing against the decision.

We understand the identity of this person has not been verified, nor which band he is from, and therefore believe Rule 21(a) of the National Rules has not been adhered to."

We have always had an excellent relationship with the Regional Committee and have fully appreciated their hard work over many years, but this decision by the Appeals Panel has astounded usAlder Valley Brass

Cannot apply

In addition the band also believes that as the new rehearsal facility is just 100 metres from the Surrey (and therefore L&SC) border, and their new location is temporary in nature, National Rule 11 cannot apply.

They added: "We only hire the facility on an ‘as and when’ basis which could end at any time, and means that we have to also book other accommodation in the Surrey catchment area when required.

Common sense would suggest that we are not doing anything wrong, are not trying to cheat anyone, and wish to remain in a banding area and continue to support our appropriate Area contest."

Excellent relationship

They concluded: "We have always had an excellent relationship with the Regional Committee and have fully appreciated their hard work over many years, but this decision by the Appeals Panel has astounded us.

This move will mean that rather than a 128 mile round trip to Stevenage, the members will encounter a minimum 330 miles round trip."

No idea

They added: "We have no idea how we will be graded, or what effect it will have on promotion and relegation for bands in either contest, for this year or next.

If we do find a permanent home back where we want to belong, we will have to go through this process all over again.

Alder Valley has always been involved closely with our local banding community, and has enjoyed excellent relationships with other bands over the years, all of which compete at the L&SC contest.

We are now concerned that it will be even more difficult to recruit local players, putting our future very much at risk — and all because we have a temporary rehearsal facility 100 metres the wrong side of a County boundary."

Length

Although no official comment was made from the Kapitol Promotions Appeal Committee, 4BR understands that the matter was discussed at considerable length at its most recent meeting before the current decision was made.

It is also understood that if the situation does change substantively, then the matter can be referred to the Appeals Committee again.