Moving forward for Wales
ANDREW Jones, after a previous meeting which ended inconclusively, has persisted in his efforts to get Welsh brass bands to realise that something needs to be done to create an organisation in Wales just like the one that has been created in England, namely, Brass Bands England.
A meeting took place in Cardiff on Saturday, September 12 and was attended by a small group of band representatives in person and quite a number who took part in the meeting online.
The discussion was about the need for a body to work in partnership with existing associations to help maintain and progress a sustainable brass band movement throughout Wales.
Andrew was greatly helped in his initiative by Grahame Howe from Burry Port Band and the meeting was facilitated by Iwan Fox, editor of 4BR.
The morning session covered the present status of all aspects of bands activities in Wales and how to improve relationships with education, the arts and the community.
The name of the new band organisation was decided – Bandiau Pres Cymru/Brass Bands Wales, and a group of nine people led by Andrew Jones would initiate the framework, aims and objectives of this new organisation.
A second meeting has been organised for October 24 in Newtown, under present Covid restrictions, which would again have online facility if required, which it is hoped will strengthen the support for the new organisation.
Speaking to 4BR, Andrew said: “There was a sense of realism that permeated the discussions – one that hopefully will enable a new body to access appropriate funding streams that can support the existing structures of brass banding throughout Wales – from individual bands to contest associations, youth to elite level.
“The agreement was that partnership working will be key – from the education and arts sector in Wales to further afield – and by accepting that we can work and learn from other brass banding bodies that have been successful.
“We cannot afford not to change and this meeting was a small, but significant, step forward to show that”
The working party consists of Chris Turner, Chris Williams, Alex James, Sion Rhys Jones, Christopher bond, Gareth Ritter, Graham Howe. Craig Roberts and Andrew Jones.
Thanks to 4BR for details of the meeting.