COVID-19 UPDATE

18/5/2021

Finally we have specific confirmation from DCMS that rehearsals can resume (according to Stage 3 of the current lockdown easing from 17th May). Brass Bands England and Making Music have also posted the same information and we are expecting to have the band back for its first rehearsal since December this week.

16/4/2021

Our advisory body Making Music has expressed disappointment in amateur banding not being able to return when so many other equivalent activities are now permitted. Making Music has now written an open letter to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to ask that leisure-time music groups be allowed to organise outdoor rehearsals with immediate effect. Please check this link for further information.

12/4/2021

Latest update is that we won't be back to rehearsals as a full band until at least week commencing 17th May.

1/4/2021

Just a quick update. The guidance is not fully clear at present but it looks like we will be able to resume outdoor rehearsals some time between 12th April and 17th May.

23/2/2021

Following yesterday's announcement, there are indications of when we might be back to rehearsals, but no guidance as yet. It looks like the earliest we might be back to outdoor rehearsals is 31st March.

4/1/2021

It was good while it lasted. Looks like we won't be back to playing live for some time again.

5/12/2020

Rehearsals are now back on, subject to the current guidance, and will commence on 9th December. For further information please check the latest BBE statement.

31/10/2020

Following the latest announcement, it looks like our last rehearsal for at least 4 weeks will be Wednesday 4th November.

21/8/2020

Following the latest review of guidance, brass and woodwind players are now allowed to return to rehearsals subject to appropriate measures being in place. In addition, Brass Bands England has produced risk assessment templates to assist bands in taking the correct steps to both ensure safety and to remain compliant with the current Government guidelines in the four different situations that are covered by the DCMS advice. These can be accessed on the BBE website here where there is also a full explanation on the use of the risk assessments.

Although now updated by the above guidance, here is the original BBE statement.

12/7/2020

The latest guidance update is that amateur bands should not play, whilst professional bands are able to. This has naturally led to some disappointment in the banding world. Here is the latest BBE statement.

31/5/2020

Following easing of lockdown restrictions, Public Health England and BBE have released guidance on what this would mean for an outdoor rehearsal.

Here is the current BBE statement.

14/5/2020

Here is the latest guidance from Brass Bands England. Not a great deal more than we already knew, but at least we seem to be going in a positive direction:

(1) there is no current guidance which indicates banding should restart

(2) the dates of 1st June and 4th July are points at which policy may change

(3) there is an indication of how a band might space itself out once playing resumes.

Here is the current BBE statement.

29/3/2020

Band Recording Project

As you know, quite a few of us got together over the video chat Zoom to rehearse last Wednesday (25th March). A few of us thought it would be a great idea to put together a recording of one of the pieces in the pad using our parts recorded individually.

Please check out the News page for more information.

27/3/2020

Following Wednesday's rehearsal via video chat we are now planning future rehearsals in this way, at least as long as the current restrictions are in force.  Register your interest via the Facebook group, WhatsApp group or by emailing through the Contact Us page.  

16/3/2020

Following the Government's announcement of today that all non-essential contact should be avoided, the Band Committee has taken the decision to suspend all Band activities including rehearsals for the foreseeable future.

Whilst this news is clearly going to be disappointing, when viewed against the backdrop of the current pandemic it is clear that the health and safety of all our members is of paramount importance at this difficult time and the banding world is far from alone in suspending its activities in the current climate.

The Band Committee will review the situation in light of information as it becomes available, and any updates will be posted on the website EVENTS page and social media to reflect this.

Over the past week we have been following updates from Brass Bands England (BBE) through their contact with Public Health England. Their specific advice provided for the music community is detailed in the following link.

Please follow this link to the current BBE statement.