4BR has been informed that the ongoing dispute between the British Federation of Brass Bands and staff at the British Brass Band Registry has forced the organisers of the British Open Championship to take the unprecedented action of placing a waiver on the 28 day transfer application deadline for the banding world’s most prestigious contest.

Complications

In correspondence sent out to all competing bands, the organisers state:

“The British Open Brass Band Championship recognises the unexpected complications that bands are currently experiencing regarding the confirmation of player applications with the British Brass Band Registry.

We wish to assure bands that the Open is implementing measures to minimise the effects of the current situation to enable the Registration process.

We have decided that as a temporary measure the usual transfer application deadline of 28 days prior to the event is to be waived for the 2012 British Open to ensure that bands are not adversely affected by issues beyond their control.

Player transfers should therefore be notified to the Contest Control before Friday 24th August.

We will keep you informed about Registry procedure as soon as possible.”

We wish to assure bands that the Open is implementing measures to minimise the effects of the current situation to enable the Registration processBritish Open

Severe blow

The news will come as a severe blow to the British Federation of Brass Bands, who it is understood was due to hold a meeting of the Board of Directors of BFBB Contest Limited today in Barnsley, where the legal status of the British Brass Band Registry was on its agenda.

Further action

4BR also understands the ongoing dispute over staff access to the Registry itself has still yet to be resolved and that other major contests may well be making their own arrangements to circumvent any possible transfer and registration problems in the near future.