4BR has been informed that further progress has been made in establishing a unified Welsh brass band organisation.

Following a first meeting hosted in Cardiff, attendees voted to establish a body under the banner of Bandiau Pres Cymru | Brass Bands Wales that would work in partnership with the existing organisations and structures of the nation's banding community and music sector.

Working group

A working group of nine people was formed to explore the structure and mission of the organisation, with Christopher Bond, Graham Howe, Alex James, Sion Jones, Craig Roberts, Gareth Ritter, Chris Turner and Chris Williams bringing widespread experience and knowledge to the task.

Led by the respected figure of Andrew Jones, the group has since taken the opportunity to look closely at different short and long term aims and objectives — including strategy, membership recruitment and development, potential funding streams, plus artistic and youth development.

Solid foundation blocks

He told 4BR: "We were keen to build on the initial enthusiasm and determination to create a body that could benefit banding at all levels and in all areas of the nation.

Partnership working is key, and this will be explored further in due course, but for the time being we wanted to ensure solid foundation blocks were put in place."

He added: "The working group has also made further progress in other areas that will be essential to the organisation being able to communicate to the banding community in Wales — such as offering the opportunity for bids for the design of the organisation's branding and website."

Partnership working is key, and this will be explored further in due course, but for the time being we wanted to ensure solid foundation blocks were put in placeAndrew Jones

Next meeting

Andrew revealed that the working group will now meet on-line on a weekly basis prior to the next public meeting, to be held on Saturday 24th of October, where proposals will be put forward in order to ratify the proposals submitted and the formalities of setting the organisation up can be finalised.

Enquiries

The link for that meeting will be posted via social media in due course and any enquiries can be directed to Andrew Jones by e-mail at andrew@andrewjonesmusic.com