*
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    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


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


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


David A. Stowell


Conductor and composer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd