History
History of the BMG Federation from its Inception as the British
Federation of Banjoists, Mandolinists & Guitarists in 1929 (taken
from Minute Books) – Part 6 1955-1959
1955
Feb For 1955 Festival there were 20 contests plus those for
orchestras.
Jun Birmingham Club represented at meeting. Emile
Grimshaw (jnr) suggested staging contest for each
club to put on 20 min show. Judging to be on musical
merit, balance, variety and general performance. It
would give clubs who don’t do such events a chance to
see effectiveness.
Jul Mr Carlton resigned as Secretary.
Sep Chairman had serious talk with
A P Sharpe to improve relations
with the Trade. Mr Sharpe wanted
to clarify Federation policy on
publication of readers’ letters etc in
B.M.G. Mrs Bland, Bournemouth,
presented the Nora Bland trophy
as memorial to her daughter to be
awarded to entrant in all individual
A P Sharpe
contests gaining highest aggregate
of marks.
Oct
Sudden death of Harry Davis reported (conductor
and co-founder of Hackney & District BMG Club).
Balance in hand at end Aug was £113. New post of
Public Relations Officer to be created. Federation rules
revised and accepted by AGM. Rule relating to club
affiliation deleted so only individual
members allowed and change made
so that election of officers would take
place entirely at AGM instead of at
Special Meeting of committee prior
to agreement at AGM. Also, any club
with at least 60% of players being
Federation members could send
delegates to executive meetings.
Chairman stated concert following
previous AGM was one of finest in
history of Federation in post war
years. Officers elected: Chairman Mr
Cyril Broad, Secretary Mr W Carter,
Treasurer Mr Lionel Stanley. (Appears
Harry Davis,
the 2 posts for lone members’
conductor Hackney representatives were discontinued).
& District BMG Club, Miss Kath Marsh was elected a Vicepictured 1937
President in view of long record of
service.
(In those days, membership cards had Federation
rules on them. Replacement of a lost card cost a
member 6d)
1956
Feb Mr Harry Lambert presented silver cup for Veterans’
contest to replace medal previously awarded.
Jun Mr Harry Lambert, Vice-Chairman, temporarily elected
Publicity Officer, to be confirmed at AGM.
Oct After major operation Mr Musselbrook, contra-bass
player with London Banjo Club, unlikely to play again
as would never fully recover use of fingers.
Nov Officers elected: Chairman Mr Sid Norris, Secretary Mr
W Carter, Treasurer Miss E Young.
1957
Mar Mr Norris and Mr Broad arranged to visit London
Transport HQ to discuss having posters on stations to
advertise Festival & Rally. Cost for 100 posters for 2
weeks was £17–10s. (Didn’t go ahead due to cost and
limited choice of stations)
May 20th Annual Festival & Rally full results printed in
Minute Book. Financial year 1955/56
started with £113, ended with £94.
Sep Membership 214 of which 150 from clubs and 64
unattached.
Nov Emile Grimshaw (jnr) listed
as a Vice-President. Bromley,
Cheltenham and Haslemere
Clubs represented at AGM.
Committee for 1958