*
banner

BOPA cover now extends to Wales

Brass Bands England has been awarded a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) by the Welsh Government to help member bands with cross border performances.

Bandsafe
  The BOPA will help member bands performing in Wales

Brass Bands England (BBE) has been awarded a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) by the Welsh Government, allowing the BBE BOPA system to also cover member bands' performances within Wales.

The new Welsh BOPA allows the scope of the system already in place with BBE in England to cover performances in Wales under exactly the same conditions. It means that bands from both England and Wales will now be able to use the system to perform in either country.

Importance

Talking to 4BR, BBE's Partnership & Relationship Development Manager, Alex Parker explained the importance of the award.

"It was clear that while our BOPA has proven to be successful for bands in England, there were member bands that were faced with differing Child Performance Licensing conditions if and when they performed in Wales.

We were also aware of a growing desire among our existing Welsh member bands, and others, to have access to the system, so we approached the Welsh Government to explore the possibility of expansion.

The resulting BOPA, matching the conditions of the English BOPA which was issued in July 2019 by the Department for Education in Westminster, was and issued by Kirsty Williams AC/AM, Minister for Education on 29th January 2020, and covers BBE members when they meet the conditions of use."

Requirements

In order to receive permission to use the BBE-held BOPA, bands will be required to be members of Brass Bands England, and will be completing the BandSafe Self-Assessment Toolkit to ensure their safeguarding policy is suitable and up to date.

Two band members should complete the BandSafe Training, developed in conjunction with the NSPCC, at least every two years.

When using the BOPA, bands will also need to comply with the relevant Child Performance Licensing Regulations, which can be found at BBE.org.uk/BOPA

Significant benefit

Alex added: "Among other significant benefits to BBE member bands, our BOPA system means there is now a consistent set of requirements for brass bands and event organisers across England and Wales, with a single application process and style of consent forms and consistent requirements for supervising adults.

In order to make the BOPA available to our existing Welsh members, we aim to run BandSafe training sessions in both north and south Wales. Details of these events will be made available as soon as possible."

This is outstanding news for brass bands across England and Wales, and we are delighted that we have been able to provide a groundbreaking solution for all event organisers and bands with young playersBBE Chairman, Mike Kilroy

Solution

Adding his delight at the news, BBE's Chairman, Mike Kilroy told 4BR: "This is outstanding news for brass bands across England and Wales, and we are delighted that we have been able to provide a groundbreaking solution for all event organisers and bands with young players.

It's testament to the work of the BBE staff that government education departments in both England and Wales have now endorsed the system — one which will play a very important role in our long-term aim of providing better banding for all."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


NYBBGB

National Youth Band sells out in Halifax

April 25 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain will be joined by the British Army Brass Band for a sell out concert in Halifax this weekend.


bRADOFRD

Bradford boost for Black Dyke Band

April 25 • The Yorkshire champion's involvement in Bradford's celebration as the UK City of Culture on Radio 2 has gained widespread plaudits.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


David W. Ashworth

RSCM, ABBA Exec Member, NABBC PRO.
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd