A miners' leader slammed the government today for starving working-class culture of cash in a row over brass band funding. The British Federation of Brass Bands received just £23,000 in public funding last year, leaving the future of the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band that inspired Brassed Off and others on the line. That's despite the English National Ballet and the Royal Opera House being funded to the tune of £6 million and £26m respectively.
Labour MP and vice-chairman of the all parliamentary group on brass bands Michael Dugher pointed the finger firmly at "snobbery at the heart of Whitehall." And senior National Union of Mineworkers official Chris Skidmore told the Star: "Anything remotely linked to coal mining, its heritage and its history is frowned upon by government. "Brass bands are an important part of our heritage and when I say 'our heritage' that includes people in non-mining areas who have a fantastic interest in the music.
"But the majority of the old colliery brass bands have had to change their name and seek whatever sponsorship they can." A spokesperson for Arts Council England told the Star they gave grants totalling £120,000 to brass bands across the country last year including Brass Band England and the Brass Durham International Festival.
Source: The Morning Star 08-01-2013
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