The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators and the Midlands Regional Committee have issued a joint statement concerning the Third Section Regional Contest held at Kenilworth College on the weekend.

Statement:

"The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) and Midlands Regional Committee deeply regret the breakdown of the results collation procedure that took place post the Third Section performances.

Fundamental errors took place, which goes against the standards set by both the AoBBA and all the Regional Committees."

Midlands Region Chairman John Slater added: "We are sorry for mistakes made on the results sheet of the Third Section competition, and are assured that this incident is under urgent investigation by AoBBA."

Speaking for the AoBBA, Chairman Mark Wilkinson said: "On behalf of the AoBBA Executive, we would like to send our apologies to all competing bands involved at the Midlands Third Section Regional Competition, especially the Newhall Band who was wrongly announced as the Area Champion.

We have commenced an enquiry with the help of the Midlands Area Committee and the matter will be discussed at our forthcoming Executive meeting.

At this meeting we will also look at ways to prevent this incident from happening again and will provide guidance to Regional Committees, and instructions to AoBBA members, to ensure that correct procedures are adhered to.

AoBBA would like to thank Lesley Bentley and her team of volunteers on the Midlands Committee for their professionalism and help in this unfortunate situation."

The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) and Midlands Regional Committee deeply regret the breakdown of the results collation procedure that took place post the Third Section performancesstatement

Newhall response

4BR has been in contact with Kevin Holdgate, Musical Director of Newhall Band who said that they will look closely at the statement issued and will respond in due course.