SOUTH WEST BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBER BANDS HELD ON SUNDAY 7^th MARCH 2010 AT THE BANDROOM, BOUNSALLS LANE, LAUNCESTON commencing at 2 p.m.

 

1/10.  PRESENT: Raymond Kingdon (Chairman), Vivian Willcock (Vice-Chairman), Brian Elliott (Secretary), Keith Gibbs (Treasurer), John Croker (Minute Secretary), Bert Buzza (Life Associate).Bands Represented:  Appledore, Bideford Town, Honiton, Launceston Town, Soundhouse Brass, Stannary Brass, St Austell Town, St Breward Silver, St Dennis, Tiverton Town.

2/10. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Goff Richards (President), Frances Calver and Gil Taylor (Executive members), Camelford Town, Crediton Town, Holsworthy Town, Lympstone SW Telecoms, Newton Abbot & District Town, Portishead Town, St Keverne Bands.

3/10 MATTERS ARISING. None

4/10 MEMBERSHIP.

(a)    Storm Brass. Executive Committee provisionally approved membership on 20.09.09. Meeting asked to retrospectively approve membership of said band. They are graded Section 1. Proposed Soundhouse. Seconded St Dennis. All in favour.

5/10 TREASURER’S REPORT. Including membership

(a)    Bank account. £6,489.94

(b)   Membership. 38 have paid 24 outstanding. Delegate from the floor queried whether it would be easier to collect money via direct debit. Launceston band use this method with ease.

6/10 EXMOUTH BRASS BAND FESTIVAL Saturday 4^th September 2010.

(a)    Pavilion. This has been booked

(b)   Adjudicator. Dr. Chris Davis OBE

(c)    Permission to use gardens. Awaiting permission from East Devon District Council

(d)   Grant. Awaiting result from Exmouth Town Council.

(e)    Dispute. There is a dispute at venue concerning the caterers. This should be resolved by time of Festival.

7/10 64^th ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 6^th. November 2010.

(a)    Venue. Riviera Centre Torquay.

(b)   Adjudicator. Denis Wilby.

(c)    Open Adjudication. Raised as a discussion point. Was fully debated but meeting voted against. Some of the Points against. Adjudicator could be distracted and not concentrate on music. May be influenced by the youth of  a particular band. May be in awe of a Conductor.

(d)   Ungraded section. Recommendation by executive Committee that a new ungraded section be introduced. Viv Willcock explained the reasons behind it. He said that a third of the membership bands are ungraded and are really excluded from this contest. The players would not have to be registered but a list of players would be provided on the day. 25 maximum. Not be able to play with any other band on the day. After debate, meeting agreed to give it a try. Cornwall rep. said that the ungraded section in their contest was the strongest. Proposed by Soundhouse Seconded Bideford. All in favour.

(e)    Concessionary Band person tickets. Executive Committee recommends a charge of £2 per ticket. Viv Willcock explained the thinking behind this. The Riviera Centre charge £3,000 for the day and we are making a loss every year. It is recommended that the entry fee for bands be reduced from £70 to £50 and allow 30 tickets at an introductory offer of £2 each which is less than a third of normal admission prices. This is still favourable compared to prices charged by neighbouring associations for their contests. Various points from the floor. Could wrist bands be tried? Under consideration. Launceston queried whether the committee had considered the cost when both senior and junior band attended. Not been considered yet but will be. It was pointed out by member of finance sub-committee Robin Teague that we are not trying to make a profit but trying not to make a loss. Proposed by Tiverton Seconded by Bideford . All agreed.

8/10 EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

(a)    Trombone workshop 2009. Reason for cancellation. Tutor Derek Southcott advised not to travel because of an eye condition.

(b)   Brass workshop Saturday 13^th and Sunday 14^th February 2010. This was the 12^th workshop held by the Association. Reports from those attending and Tutors suggested that the weekend was enjoyable and beneficial. There were 75 attendees. Bideford delegate said his members had enjoyed themselves. Tiverton were unclear about the wording of the schedule .It seemed to say that attendance could only be for two days. Chairman stated that it was good to see our president there and he thanked all those that did attend.

(c)    Cornet workshop Saturday 2^nd October 2010. Venue Central Methodist Church Launceston. Tutor Jim Davis

(d)   Trombone workshop Saturday 2^nd October 2010. Venue Central Methodist Church Launceston. Tutor. John Barber Principal Trombone Fodens. Schedules will be going out later and details on website.

(e)    ‘Train the trainer’ workshop Saturday 16^th October 2010. Viv Willcock will be tutor with South Molton training band in attendance.

(f)     Brass workshop 2011. West Buckland  19^th/20^th February.

(g)    Future workshops 2011. Horn suggested with tutor either Philip Harper or Stan Lippeatt.

9/10 COUNCIL OF WEST OF ENGLAND BRASS BAND ASSOCIATIONS.

(a)    Area Championships 2010. 74 bands entered over the two days.

(b)   Adjudicators. David Horsfield, Peter Bassano, Stan Lippeatt, Jacob Dijkstra.

(c)    Registration cut off date. Was 5^th March.

(d)   Relegation and promotion. SWBBA had proposed a 2 up 2 down system but rejected by other members of Council. Now looking at a 2 year strategy instead of 3 years. Paper exercise being prepared.

10/10. ASSOCIATION WEBSITE. Anne Luxton reported that all was up to date. If you wanted your band to feature their concerts or events on website please contact Brian Elliott in the first instance.

11/10. LIMITED COMPANY. Mr Keith Anderson a Chartered Accountant and Treasurer of the Cornwall BBA gave a presentation. Main points.

(a)    If the Association make a tremendous loss on an event, at the present time the Committee members would be liable if not covered by insurance.

(b)   A Limited Company would limit the cost to £1 per member band.

(c)    £175 to form company with annual rate of £15 Formal accounts to be presented to Companies House. The Bank account would have to be changed.

(d)   Proposal Stannary Brass Seconded by Tiverton and agreed by meeting that paperwork be prepared for the AGM to give authorisation for the Executive Committee to set up the Association as a limited Company.

12/10 ANY OTHER BUSINESS. None.

13/10 NEXT GENERAL MEETING. To be held in conjunction with the 2011 Annual General Meeting.

The meeting closed at 3.30 p.m.