4BR has been informed that the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd is in advanced negotiations for the sale of British Bandsman magazine to a new company, KGC Media, formed by current Editor, Kenneth Crookston, and co-director, Graham Crookston.

Adapt further

SATCoL, MD, Trevor Caffull, stated: “It is now almost 11 years since The Salvation Army took ownership of British Bandsman, and we are pleased that the magazine’s profile has been greatly enhanced, remaining at the forefront of quality brass band journalism.

However, even a publication as historic as BB needs to adapt further to meet the challenges of the modern-day media, and we now consider that its interests will be best served by coming under the control of an operation headed by the current Editor.

We are pleased therefore to announce that, from the 4th April edition, BB will be published by KGC Media.”

SA Bandsman to continue

Trevor Caffull added: “We believe that The Salvation Army’s stewardship of British Bandsman, represents a very healthy period in its 128-year history, including the highly successful introduction of SA Bandsman.

We are also pleased to confirm that, in partnership with The Salvation Army, this will continue to be printed and distributed to its rapidly growing readership by the new owners.

We have no doubt that the British Bandsman operation will continue to thrive under the new management team and we wish them every success in the future.”

Partnerships remain

British Bandsman’s administration will move to new headquarters near Livingston, whilst the magazine’s partnerships with the European Brass Band Championships and the Brass in Concert Festival remaining in place.

Progressive approach

KGC Media MD, Kenneth Crookston, who has been editor of BB for the past decade, told 4BR: “I would like to thank The Salvation Army for its conscientious stewardship of British Bandsman since 2004, its progressive approach to securing a prosperous long-term future for this important title and for the professional manner in which the sale and transfer process has been managed.

There is naturally a tremendous sense of honour and responsibility associated with ownership of a publication with such a remarkable pedigree.

Advantage

He added: "It is our intention to take greater advantage of recent advances in technology and there are some very exciting plans to increase BB’s readership throughout the growing brass band community across the globe.

Readers can however, be assured that their weekly edition of British Bandsman and the monthly SA Bandsman will continue to arrive on their doorsteps for many years to come.”

Readers can however, be assured that their weekly edition of British Bandsman and the monthly SA Bandsman will continue to arrive on their doorsteps for many years to comeKGC MD, Kenneth Crookston

Exciting venture

Graham Crookston, has enjoyed a lifetime’s brass banding experience, having played with the Broxburn Band and later with Solna Brass in Sweden, where he was also involved with the Swedish Brass Band Association.

He added: “This is a very exciting venture and I’m looking forward to playing my part in the expansion of the British Bandsman brand.

Brass band culture has shown outstanding growth on the continent of Europe during the past four decades, and it’s vital that BB remains at the forefront of the debate in these areas, just as it has done in the UK for almost 130 years.”