Parliamentary Group reports rise in funding
Since the formation of the All Party Brass Band Group last year, financial
support from the Arts Council and the National Lottery has soared.
At the recent Annual General Meeting of the All Party Brass Band Group
Jeff Ennis MP, who founded and now chairs the Group, announced that funding
to brass bands from Arts Council England has leapt up by 183% in one year
from £49.612 in 2008 to £140,375 and from the Big Lottery
Fund by 157% from £109,663 in 2008 to £281,721 in 2009.
Jeff said, "I'm absolutely delighted that both Arts Council England
and the Big Lottery Fund have responded so positively to the setting up
of the Group whose dual purpose is to both promote brass bands as well
as trying to secure increased financial support to make sure that all
brass bands continue to prosper and serve their local communities.”
The group is ably supported by the development officer of the British
Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB), Philip Watson. The Federation’s
national office is in Barnsley and Philip said," The All Party Group
is making a big difference to the future of brass bands in this country
and the BFBB continues to advise and work with the group on many aspects
of banding in the UK.”
Further information about the work of the group is available from the
BFBB on 01226 771015 or by emailing Philip
Watson
