The owners of British Bandsman have issued a statement to clarify the current situation regarding production of the magazine, which was last published in June.

Apology

Speaking on behalf of KGC Media Ltd., which has published British Bandsman since acquiring it from The Salvation Army in 2015, Kenneth Crookston said: "We would like to apologise to all of our loyal readers throughout the world for the current temporary pause in publication of British Bandsman and SA Bandsman.

Since our last edition went to press in June, we have been in detailed negotiations regarding a change of ownership of British Bandsman and had agreed a deal that would have seen a new management team in place in time for a combined July / August issue, a process that also saw much of that particular edition formulated under the proposed new Editor's stewardship.

In the past few days, however, the anticipated new owners have informed us that they have withdrawn from the process."

Still for sale

Kenneth Crookston, who was recently appointed to the post of Chief Executive Officer of Brass Bands England (BBE), added: "Since my appointment at BBE, it has been well-known that British Bandsman has been available for acquisition.

The party involved had made an appropriate offer and the deal subsequently agreed had also offered a bright future under high-profile editorship for this iconic publication.

While it is obviously disappointing that this deal will no longer proceed, we are pleased to report that there remains considerable interest from others and we expect to be able to make positive announcements regarding the future of both British Bandsman and SA Bandsman in the very near future.

In the meantime, it has been necessary to pause production until September and, once again, we apologise to all our readers and advertisers for this unavoidable break in service."

In the meantime, it has been necessary to pause production until September and, once again, we apologise to all our readers and advertisers for this unavoidable break in serviceKenneth Crookston

No monthly payments

It was confirmed that subscriptions to British Bandsman will be unaffected by the current hold on production and the publisher will contact all subscribers directly when the situation becomes clear.

To reflect the two missing editions, monthly payments will not be taken in either August or September, while all annual payments will be delayed similarly.