Two new members of Brass Bands England (BBE) staff made their debuts at the Regional Championships last weekend.

BBE has already been busy exhibiting at the contests in Blackpool and Huddersfield with members of the organisation also on hand at Torquay and Bedworth.

Appointments

Newly appointed Education & Development Co-ordinator Sarah Stanley and Membership Support Officer Rosie Banham were at the Riviera Centre where they enjoyed meeting existing West of England BBE members as well as signing up new ones.

Sarah is music graduate from the University of York and an accomplished saxophonist. She has worked as Sales Manager for a nationwide creative education company and will now be working on a part-time basis on the delivery of BBE's Arts Council England-approved business plan.

Rosie has combined extensive voluntary and charitable work with a career in administration, as well as playing horn in Delph Band. In addition to liaising with bands over membership queries and services, Rosie will support Sarah Stanley in her new role and provide additional administrative provision for Partnership and Development Manager Alex Parker.

High quality

BBE Chief Executive Officer Kenny Crookston told 4BR: "We're delighted that BBE is now in a position to attract high-quality candidates to these roles, and Sarah and Rosie are already proving to be valuable team members.

The BBE team has the skills we need to take our current delivery plans forward and help support our members as they tackle the myriad issues facing bands now and in the years ahead."

We're delighted that BBE is now in a position to attract high-quality candidates to these roles, and Sarah and Rosie are already proving to be valuable team membersBBE CEO, Kenny Crookston

Very important

Kenny Crookston concluded: "The Regional series is very important to many of our member bands and this year has been particularly challenging for many of them, with Child Performance Licensing now a significant issue. We will always be happy to advise on this and other issues."

Membership details can be found at www.bbe.org.uk