National Government & Brass Bands
National Government & Brass Bands
April 4, 2008
The BFBB Development Office held a meeting with Mr J Ennis, MP for Barnsley
East and Mexborough, on Friday, 7th March 2008 at the National Office.
Matters discussed included:
• The role of BFBB
• Mr Ennis’ recent delegation meeting with the Minister for
State for Culture Media & Sport
• Funding issues for brass bands
• The direction of further funding campaigning
• A forthcoming meeting arranged with the Director of Yorkshire
Forward
• The Voluntary Arts Network (VAN)
• 2012 Cultural Olympiad
Following the successful meeting Mr Ennis asked a question in the House
of Commons on Monday, 10th March 2008, which was subsequently broadcast
on BBC Radio 4:
Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East and Mexborough) (Lab):
Does the Secretary of State agree that the British Federation of Brass
Bands, which is based in Barnsley … will play a vital role in making
a success of the Cultural Olympiad?
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Andy Burnham): It
absolutely will … On brass bands, I am absolutely confident that
the rich heritage that my hon. Friend describes – celebrated in
the film “Brassed Off” – will play a very important
part in our Olympic celebrations.
The BFBB Development Officer was then invited to join Mr Ennis’
delegation to meet The Director of Yorkshire Forward. The meeting was
held in their offices in Leeds on Monday, 17th March 2008. Issues discussed
were:
• Justification for supporting bands
• Business Models for bands
• 2012 Cultural Olympiad
• Youth bands/KS2 (Barnsley’s £250,000 programme and
the infrastructure required to deliver in the future)
• University selection/Fairness in higher education/Widening participation
agenda
• Loss of sponsorship for Championship bands
Once again this was a meeting with some success. Yorkshire Forward will
fund/advise (probably BFBB) on a programme of Business advice and planning
for brass bands. Also funding for some events connected to 2012 Culture
Olympiad (through Yorkshire Culture). In a surprise move Yorkshire Forward
said they would fund Grimethorp Band to the Europeans this year at £20,000
and for a further two years if it is a Yorkshire band that represents
England.
