4BR has been informed that following specially convened meetings of the Yorkshire Regional Committee, the perpetrator of malicious correspondence aimed at undermining the eligibility of Lofthouse 2000 Band to compete at the 2016 Yorkshire Regional Championships has been banned from competing at the National Championships for a period of seven years.

Statement

The Yorkshire Regional Committee statement is as follows:

"The Yorkshire Regional Committee held specially convened meetings in July and September to consider incidents regarding Lofthouse 2000 Band prior to, during and after the Fourth Section contest at the Yorkshire Brass Band Championships on Saturday 4th March.

West Yorkshire Police had investigated these incidents which resulted in the identification of the perpetrator who was subsequently issued with a 5 year police caution.

After full discussion and consideration of these events the committee decided that by his actions the perpetrator had brought both Lofthouse 2000 Band and the Yorkshire Regional Brass Band Championships into disrepute.

Consequently under rule 24 (c) of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain this person has been banned from competing in any regional or finals contest of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain for a period of seven years. The ban to expire on 31st March 2023.

Furthermore the committee has requested all the appropriate accredited registries to reject any application, by any band, to register this person for the same period of seven years."

We hope these penalties serve as a warning that such actions will not be tolerated. Hopefully we can now put this sorry state of affairs behind us and get back to enjoying our hobby in the true spirit of bandingYorkshire Regional Committee

Considerable stress

Commenting on behalf of the Yorkshire Regional Committee, Peggy Tomlinson, Regional Secretary told 4BR: "Unfortunately the perpetrator cannot be identified for legal reasons but the actions were a cause of considerable stress and disruption both to Lofthouse 2000 band and the contest management and are totally unacceptable both to everyone involved in the contest and the banding movement as a whole.

We hope these penalties serve as a warning that such actions will not be tolerated. Hopefully we can now put this sorry state of affairs behind us and get back to enjoying our hobby in the true spirit of banding."