Not Norfolk Wherry Brass
Why this is no longer the official Norfolk Wherry Brass website...
With effect from 24 August 2010, the webmaster, Geoff, resigned from the post. He also relinquished his rôles of band trustee, committee member and librarian.
In addition, his wife, Glen, resigned her posts of publicity photographer, bandstand dresser and general band supporter, encouraging audience participation (when appropriate) at concerts and helping with the 101 'little' tasks that help with the smooth running of the band. Her views may be read here. For County Court update click here
There are very clear reasons why these resignations came about. The situation arose because of the committee's intention to add a waistcoat to brighten up the band's rather sombre concert uniform...
First, some background information...
Norfolk Wherry Brass was formed in 2004, with no funds, no music, no uniform. It was managed by an elected committee, which decreed a ‘dress code’ for members for performances.
As funds became available, the committee purchased a set of second-hand uniform jackets. These were very used, ill-fitting and of differing styles, so the committee subsequently decided that the band would play in black shirts and trousers. A further committee decision was the purchase of black, reversible fleeces, for use when playing outside in adverse weather conditions. These decisions were all appropriately minuted.
Comments were subsequently made that the band looked very sombre in their all-black uniform, so the committee purchased gold-coloured ties, to inject some colourful relief into the band’s appearance.
While this was an improvement, band members (and the public) still commented about the band’s dark appearance and, for more than two years, the provision of waistcoats was considered, and mentioned within the band from time to time, but the band had more pressing matters to deal with.
Now to what happened in 2010...
At the AGM in March 2010, the question of uniform was again raised and the new committee was charged with dealing with the matter. The committee asked Glen and Geoff to take on the task of sourcing suitable waistcoats, at an affordable price, ‘affordable’ being the operative word.
After a considerable amount of time and effort, they located a choice of suitable materials and obtained samples and detailed costings for consideration by the committee, but were unable to find someone to make the garments for the price the band could afford.
Another committee member was able to find such a person and an arrangement was made, by that member, for her to come to the band room on 31 August 2010 (a rehearsal night), to take the measurements of the players.
Geoff sent an email to members on 18 August 2010, forewarning them, and asking those who could do so, to come early.
Bearing in mind that the matter of uniform had always been dealt with by the committee, which has total responsibility for managing the affairs of the band by virtue of the band’s constitution, the response from four of the members was totally unexpected.
Emails
The initial email and the subsequent messages can be read by clicking here.
As a result of the initial critical emails, Geoff then sent an email to two committee members, Beris and Jan (bandmaster and treasurer). That email and their response can read here.
That email carried the explicit request "Please do not forward this to anyone." That request for confidentiality was immediately ignored, as without Geoff’s knowledge or consent, they forwarded his email to the then Chair, Sarah.
Having read Geoff's original request not to have the message forwarded, Sarah asked Geoff's permission to forward that message to members. After some discussion and amendment to the original message, Geoff agreed.
Sarah then sent out her open letter to band members, which can be read on the emails page here.
This resulted in the immediate resignation of three members (each of them soloists) of the band on 20 and 21 August 2010, just two weeks before a prestigious concert, which was due to take place on 4 September 2010 (notwithstanding that, according to the band rules, one month’s notice should be given).
The situation was discussed at a subsequent, hurriedly-convened committee meeting on 23 August 2010.
Prior to, and for the purpose of that meeting, Geoff sent to the committee extracts from nine previous committee and general meetings, which clearly showed that uniform choices had always been made by the committee, not the general membership.
Beris and Jan's response was "Thanks Geoff for your hard work in researching these points. We have read your document twice and it shows that in no way was the committee wrong to have taken the action that caused all the fuss by a few.
Will be at yours for 7.30pm on Monday
Jan and Beris"
None of the seven (of nine) committee members present at the meeting considered that the letter should be withdrawn, yet, less than a week later, with no additional committee meeting having been convened and without reference to the author of the letter, an email was sent on behalf of the committee, withdrawing that letter. This action resulted in the resignation of the Chair of the band. Click here to read that email.
Relinquishing of roles
Glen and Geoff sent their letter, relinquishing their rôles, to the secretary on 24 August, followed by an open letter to members on 5 September, which can be read here
Constitutions and Rules
Relevant extracts from the band’s constitution and rules, which set out the procedure for making any complaint or suggestion about the management of the band, the powers of the committee and manner of resigning from the band, can be read by clicking here.
And finally
Move the cursor over the picture to see what the uniform would be like with the addition of a waistcoat. Please note the waistcoat is only drawn on, but it gives some idea of the nature of the proposed change to the uniform.
Jim, who has been the most vociferous opponent of the change, wrote,
“...Our priority should be music, not dressing up like a bunch of tin soldiers. I'm sorry to be blunt, but I feel strongly about this...
...I like the sense of priorities implicit in our current uniform - "listen to us, don't look at us". The uniform we have is smart, simple and gives a clear message that we have more important things to do than dressing up. Don't we?”
It is, however, understandable that a group whose appearance has been likened to a band of funeral directors would want to lighten/brighten their appearance.
The content of this site was initially withdrawn, at the request of the new Chair, Alex Bishop, pending a committee meeting on November 1 to discuss the situation.
Following that meeting, there was an exchange of correspondence between the committee and Geoff, which can be read here.
It appears that the committee meeting to consider Geoff's expulsion and Glen's exclusion was held during a rehearsal, on Tuesday 16 November. Neither Geoff nor Glen were able to attend that rehearsal and knew nothing of the meeting.
The following week, 23 November, Jim and Tracey arrived at the bandroom car park at the same time as Geoff and Glen, but, for some reason, did not stay for the rehearsal.
That evening, nothing was said to either Geoff or Glen about the expulsion or exclusion, even though Glen specifically asked the bandmaster (Beris) if there was any news. Other band members behaved entirely normally.
Glen has now been informed that she was excluded "to avoid potential embarrassment both to herself and other band members". If that is the case, why was she allowed to remain throughout the rehearsal on 23 November? She wasn't embarrassed and none of those who stayed for the rehearsal seemed to be either. The letter relating to the expulsion/exclusion was dated two days later, 25 November.
Band members have complained that they have not been informed of what goes on. There is now no excuse for not knowing. This is a purely factual account of events.
One last thought (for now), if the simple addition of a waistcoat to the band uniform is so great a step as to be beyond the remit of this committee to decide without asking the members' permission, how can they justify having any authority to expel/exclude two of their hardest-working people, without reference to the members?