The times they say are changing… or not as the case may be.

Take for instance these concerns.

"Such is the state of the world today that nostalgia brings welcome relief for many of us.

But we cannot always be looking over our shoulders. We must look forward with hope and vision — that is the only way for us and for our movement — the finest amateur music making movement in the world.

The greatest enemy we have in this movement is ourselves. We are far too apathetic…"

Demanding action

They are strong words that demanded action.

However, they were not written in the last few weeks, but in October 1976 by the then owner and General Editor of the British Bandsman newspaper, Robert Alexander, under the banner headline, 'YOU CAN CONTROL THE FUTURE'.

Three matters

He also pinpointed three matters which he felt needed to be dealt with in the following year.

The first was the British Federation of Brass Bands (the forerunner to Brass Bands England). He asked what it had achieved in the past eight years (it was set up in 1968), what could it do for the movement, and even, if it was needed.

He highlighted the recent 'reshuffle' in its ranks, but still wondered if it was as 'out-dated as yesterday's' news?'

The second was the question of trade unionism which arose at the time with the Musician Union's 'insistence' that all bandsmen appearing on television should have been union members.

The third concerned whether or not the brass banding movement was 'satisfied' with the time given to bands on radio and television, and whether or not anyone had any idea for better presentation and programming?

The greatest enemy we have in this movement is ourselves. We are far too apathetic…Robert Alexander

42 years later

Alexander was optimistic that people cared enough about the movement 'to do something about it'.

42 years later, and with perhaps the exception of the battle against the trades union 'closed shop', the same questions seem to remain as pertinent now as then.