*
banner

Brass Bands England responds to Brighouse open letter

Brass Bands England makes a robust defence of its ongoing work, aims and ambitions in response to the request for open and honest dialogue from Brighosue & Rastrick Band.

BBE
  The response was signed by Kenneth Crookston and Mike Kilroy

Brass Bands England has issued a robust defence of its ongoing work and ambitions in its response to the recent open letter written by the General Committee of Brighouse & Rastrick Band.

The West Riding organistion had questioned aspects of BBE's approach following a published response made in respect to an update in Covid-19 guidance from the Department of Culture Media & Sport.

The band felt it also contained "thinly veiled attacks" on them, leading them to request "open and honest dialogue" and a "frank retraction and apology to the band".

Go to: https://www.4barsrest.com/news/47862/brighouse-look-for-open-and-honest-dialogue-from-brass-bands-england

Response

4BR had asked Brass Bands England for a response which they said they would make, and which has now been issued.

It has been published in full at: https://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2021/1926.asp

Extensive

Signed by Kenneth Crookston (CEO) and Mike Kilroy (Chairman) it sets out an extensive defence of their actions, a comprehensive list of achievements to date and some of its ongoing aims and objectives.

In it they say that, "BBE's first responsibility is to help to ensure the health and safety of our 446 member organisations, encompassing approximately 550 individual banding groups and in excess of 15,000 individuals".

They add that they had received, "...literally hundreds of communications from member organisations and individuals seeking clarification of the Government's social-distancing rules in the wake of B&R's online concert on 12th June"

No desire

The statement also points out that, "We had no desire to highlight any member organisations by naming them specifically."

The response gives no fewer than 19 examples of its work and achievements.

No current governing ambition



Interestingly it states that whilst, "B&R rightly points out that BBE is not a governing body,"(it is a not-for-profit, Arts Council England-funded Sector Support Organisation) it has also "never claimed to be and have no current ambition to become one."

They added: "Despite being very successful in some other banding nations, it hasn't yet been truly established that a 'governing' body would be the best way forward for brass bands in England."

BBE has "worked diligently, and with multiple agencies, to provide brass bands with robust advice in order to keep our community as safe as possible."BBE

Bell covers

BBE admits that, "The subject of bell covers has clearly been a source of mixed opinion in recent months", although it says, "that they are just one of a number of mitigations that meet the DCMS guidance and aren't required specifically when proper barriers or enhanced ventilation are in place."

It believes its work, "over the past 16 months"has shown that BBE has "...worked diligently, and with multiple agencies, to provide brass bands with robust advice in order to keep our community as safe as possible."

Clarity

And whilst emphasising once more that the DCMS guidance states: 'Activities can take place with multiple permitted groups, provided the groups are kept separate throughout the activity… In all settings, social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a bubble', they do, "thank the band for giving us this opportunity to bring clarity to our role for a wider audience."

For the full response go to: https://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2021/1926.asp

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    


NYBBGB

NYBBGB concert reprise this Friday

September 18 • You can sit back and enjoy a repeat of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain's Summer Concert this Friday evening.


Future

Brass Foundations Future Leaders graduate with distinction

September 18 • The first cohort of future brass band leaders graduate from the pioneering BBE programme.


cooperation and adams

Adams and coop in percussion partnership

September 18 • Adams Percussion and the cooperation band have entered into a new percussion partnership.


Dutch

Dutch judges announced

September 18 • The adjudication panels for the Dutch National Championships have been confirmed.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Kevin Wadsworth


Conductor, adjudicator, teacher (ABBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd