After eight years as Scottish Registrar Jim Hyslop has tended his resignation with a strongly worded letter to the Scottish Brass Band Assocaition, stating that he believes SBBA "...no longer is operating in the best interests of the members as a whole."

The official announcement from the Scottish Brass Band Asssociation was made through its website.

It commented that it was sorry to announce his resignation after eight years.

Official announcement

"Jim will certainly be a miss" said George Burt, President of SBBA, "but it has not come as a surprise. The work of Registrar can be onerous. He has manned the registration desk at almost every contest in Scotland during his term of office, and we owe him a large thank you for all his work over the years".

They went on to say that SBBA's registration records are computerised so the impact on member bands should be minimal. In addition, a sub-committee structure (including Registration) has been recently implemented, and data back-up procedures are being put in place.

Correspondance

Bands should send any registration correspondence in the meantime to
SBBA Secretary, Tom Allan.

Resignation letter

However, in his resignation letter Hyslop is withering in his condemnation of how he sees SBBA currently run.

I am no longer willing to devote the major part of my spare time to an organisation which I no longer believe is operating in the best interests of the members as a wholeJim Hyslop

Withering attack

He wrote: "After careful consideration I am tendering my resignation both from the Executive Committee and as Registrar with immediate effect. This has been a difficult decision as I am now in my eighth year as Registrar and member of the Executive

I have been reviewing my position over recent months and am no longer willing to devote the major part of my spare time to an organisation which I no longer believe is operating in the best interests of the members as a whole. My reasons are as follows;

Reasons

Over a number of months now decisions have been taken without due discussion with all the officials. I am constantly being told about decisions after they have been implemented.

Sub committees are an essential part of such a large organisation but they are just that – sub to the main committee. Their role is to look at a project, report their conclusions to the main executive for consideration and agree a date for implementation. That is simply not happening. It is my belief that the committee is no longer being operated as a proper consultative body.

Not approached

The Executive have been informed after actions have been taken. I as an official am often not approached or advised of actions before they are implemented. A recent example was when it was announced at the Scottish Open that payments were being made to school groups from the youth development fund but none were being given to the member bands which were developing their own youth programme.

Rules

To come back to the question of rules. Yes I believed in the old rules simply because people knew what they could and could not do. The rules are now open to interpretation which is not good for a contesting body. I also believe that people do not fully understand the rules or want to try to ignore them.

A perfect example was when I was recently over-ruled over a guest player at a contest. Unfortunately I was not able to make it that day and other committee members did not ensure the rules were followed. Was it lack of knowledge or lack of understanding? We must have rules and a structure to work within.

Opposed

I am vehemently opposed to the contents of the document recently circulated. To propose increasing the number of players in a band will mean the wealthier and higher grade bands will maintain a large pool of players and decimate the lower grades.

It will mean that youngsters will be signed but unable to contest and will then give up. The brass band movement has always prided itself on the ability to retain musicians throughout their lives unlike the thousands who learn violin for example and give up as soon as they leave school.

Lose bands

You will know doubt recall the article in the Brass Band World when England increased band numbers to 40. They now have 300 more players registered but 65 less bands. We cannot afford to lose bands if we want to maintain and expand brass players throughout Scotland.

A larger pool of players will also remove the income generated by late registrations. Several times the registry money has been the only funds available to pay the bills as all SBBA core funding had been used to set up the Scottish Open.

Borrow money

The Executive also had to borrow money to survive. An organisation that had been running for 100 years nearly collapsed due to ambitious plans without proper funding.

A change to registrations in Scotland will set up conflict with England and Wales for bands competing in the national finals and all other cross border contests. Scottish bands will not be allowed to compete outside Scotland.

Point made

The list goes on and on but I have made my point. The Executive and member bands need to consider carefully the repercussions of the recent document and ensure their representatives receive proper mandate for discussion in committee.

I will pack up the registry over the coming week. Please advise when it will be collected.

Yours sincerely

Jim Hyslop