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Steel band controversy

12:45pm Thursday 28th August 2008 in News By Kirsty Whalley

The Croydon Comets steel band The Croydon Comets steel band

A junior steel band competition is mired in controversy over allegations of cheating.

An emergency meeting will be called later this week by the British Association of Steel Bands (BAS) after it emerged that one of the four bands participating, Ebony may have had players over the age of 18.

The competition took place on August 11 with prize money of £500, £300 and £200 being awarded to the first three bands. All of the bands were given £150 towards travel costs.

Two Croydon bands, the Croydon Steel Orchestra and the Comets, placed third and fourth say that Ebony should be disqualified for having overage players.

Gina Sheridan, from the Comets, said: “At the very least if they have players who are overage they should withdraw.”

She added: “I don’t feel that a band that has not adhered to the rules should be able to receive prize money.”

The rules state that players should be aged 18 and under and that each team should have at least 12 players.

Brent Holder, the composer for the winning team Caribbean Steel International, said: “At the end of the day we have rules and if the rules state that the age limit is 18 then they should be disqualified.”

Debi Gardner, BAS secretary, said: “There has been a claim that some of the members of the band that came second were over the age of 18. There will not be a meeting to discuss this until after the Notting Hill Carnival.

“It will be down to the members to decide what happens, BAS is a member organisation. We will hold a meeting and investigate the claims.”

She added: “It is a shame really because the competition is quite well established and it has been going for a number of years.”

Albert Faustine, the manager of Ebony, said: “We are not disputing that we had over age players, we hold our hands up and admit it. I do feel that the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. They are just kids for goodness sake.”

Comments(24)

scoffer says...
12:59pm Thu 28 Aug 08

What a shame that corruption has filtered through into the lovely steel bands ? I just love the steel bands... the banging of the oil drums is so soothing and refreshing and makes you want to join in...

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ANNE GILES says...
1:27pm Thu 28 Aug 08

You are right, scoffer. I notice that you are involved in gospel singing. I am involved in folk music and also a harmony singing group. I love steel bands as well - did offer to help the Comets at some stage - unfortunately, some residents are trying to kick them out. If you read my next blog (week 3) - it is all about music. I sent it in today, but it probably won't be up till tomorrow or even later today.

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ANNE GILES says...
1:31pm Thu 28 Aug 08

Actually, scoffer - it's in. The Guardian staff work quickly here!

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scoffer says...
2:52pm Thu 28 Aug 08

Yes, I am a big fan of the gospel singing... and clapping... i've become very good at stepping in unison with other members of the Church, from one foot to the other... and clapping at the same time!! perhaps we could do a duo ? although, I wouldn't want to upset your other half Bob!! rofl!! I detest violence and confrontations on the internet!! Where's this blog Anne ? i'm not very good on the internet and surfing around on sites or whatever it's called!! i'm just in the middle of a little leak problem we have in the kitchen... and i've left my good lady with her finger on the pipe!! must go!! rofl!!

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ohdearyme says...
2:54pm Thu 28 Aug 08

Scoffer I've read some pretty nasty comments on previous threads from you in the past. For someone who detests violence and confrontation, you're pretty rude to some people!

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scoffer says...
4:01pm Thu 28 Aug 08

That's NOT a very nice thing to say to me... or even true in fact... i've tried understanding all peoples views and points on here.

Please do give me some examples where i've been rude ? Truthful?? yes!! but not rude!!


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cr2 says...
4:19pm Thu 28 Aug 08

THis is true.

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quads says...
8:17pm Thu 28 Aug 08

This discussion seems to have lost track. The point in question is this: are BAS being fair to all the bands or are they giving special treatment to some and not others. From what I have read they seem to be favouring certain bands to the detriment of smaller, less high profile bands. Surely we should be setting an example to the youths and not bending rules to suit. No over 18's should mean just that. Albert Faustine (Manager, Ebony)says that it has been blown out of proportion yet he admits that some of his players were over 18. Should he not then gracefully offer to relinquish the position his band apparently achieved? I would have thought so.

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ANNE GILES says...
10:06pm Thu 28 Aug 08

Scoffer - to find the blog you click on Your Say, then Blogs. Unfortunately, someone from the other paper sent someone to insult me, so I have had to retaliate. I hate confrontations as well. Incidentally, Bob is not my other half. Yes - a duo might be nice.

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ohdearyme says...
10:09am Fri 29 Aug 08

I seem to remember a confrontation between you and a young lady named Clare? You called her some quite derogatory names.

I wouldn't say my comment wasn't very nice. It was just truthful. I wasn't rude or personal. I apologies if I have offended you.

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scoffer says...
1:20pm Fri 29 Aug 08

Firstly... ohdearyou... i'm afraid you have me mixed up with someone else on here ? I cannot recall Clare ? Secondly... yes Anne found the blog, very good, keep up the good work!!

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ohdearyme says...
1:57pm Fri 29 Aug 08

Ah! Found it. My mistake the girls name is Chloe from South West London. You called her some pretty horrific names.

Are you the same scoffer who was given his nickname because of how you eat your food? Something about you come from a deprived back ground and when you came to England you ate very fast?

Ringing any bells yet?

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ANNE GILES says...
3:44pm Fri 29 Aug 08

Thank you scoffer. As you can see, someone from the CA has come to insult my blog. I shall have to keep putting him in his place. Sad.

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ANNE GILES says...
3:48pm Fri 29 Aug 08

Scoffer - I copied and pasted your comment as a comment on my blog, without putting your name in. Hope that's OK.

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scoffer says...
4:33pm Fri 29 Aug 08

Firstly...ohdearyou.
.. ahh yes, Chloe the name rings a bell now... I didn't realise I had overstepped the mark on this site, but I post on about six different forums so if Chloe is looking in... I apologise. And yes, Scoffer the greedy kid - you're sharp,- i'll give you that... lol

And secondly... Anne, I've just this minute had a check on your blog - no problem Anne... go ahead and share a bit of me!! (Oops - sorrrry!!)

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ANNE GILES says...
9:34pm Fri 29 Aug 08

Thanks.

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scoffer says...
10:56am Sat 30 Aug 08

What's happening to the blog next week then Anne ? you'll be in sunny Tossa de Mar... do you want me to take over the blog for this week ? I'll do a little one off view of Croydon and it's habitants ?

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4allthekids says...
3:07pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Sorry to interrupt your tete'a'tete Ann and scoffer, but I would just like to add a comment or two about this story if I may. The public may be interested to know that the Mayoress of Kensington and Chelsea acted as a judge on the day and that she knowingly allowed her score sheets to be altered in front of her, there is concrete evidence to support this. Also one of the judges had also several band members over the age of 18 playing in his band the year before. On both of these occasions large amounts of money have been given as prizes, so to my mind I would have to say I feel that this should become a police matter, would anyone be able to confirm this or should I ask at my local police station? There are several people discussing this matter on the website of the BAS panpodium.com If you would like to read further and find out more about this shameful episode, just go to the forum page. I shall be writing to BAS and the Childrens and Parents Carnival Association, also to the Mayoress of Kensington and Chelsea to ask for thier views, I urge any Parents or supporters of the Croydon Steel Orchestra and the Comets to please do the same, as together we can make a difference to how these things are run. Hopefully then there will be more bands entering year on year because to be frank it is very embarrassing to see so few, without change the whole event will collapse.

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drummweforlyf says...
9:50pm Sat 30 Aug 08

In reply to Albert's interview, mainpage, yes it is for the kids but kids are under the age of 18 not over the age of 18 so therefor hold your hands up, give the money back, admit defeat and FOLLOW THE **** RULES!!!! They are in place for a reason, adhere to them, everyone else did without question. Well done to both CSI, Comets and Croydon.

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ANNE GILES says...
9:51pm Sat 30 Aug 08

4allthekids,norwood - yes, I agree. It is important that you kick up a fuss, because it is scandalous.
scoffer - I shall be in Playa San Juan, Alicante and will have my laptop with me, but if the editors agree, I would be delighted to have you take over for a week. I shall e-mail them.

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ANNE GILES says...
10:45am Mon 1 Sep 08

scoffer - they may e-mail you asking you to do your own blog, if you like, but not mine. So I shall be sending mine from Spain, comparing Spain with Croydon! Thanks anyway.

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madman2008 says...
7:47am Tue 2 Sep 08

But didn't Croydon and Comets have players who were over 18 also?

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quads says...
12:47pm Tue 2 Sep 08

Yes Madman2008 they did. The ONE PERCUSSIONIST which is allowed under BAS rules. No other players were over the age of 18. These bands stuck to the rules as did CSI.

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guitargirl08 says...
5:57pm Fri 5 Sep 08

The BAS rules state that you are allowed ONE player over the age of 18 - percussion player!! Which is what CSO had, as did Comets and CSI. Ebony had players over the age of 18. We have these rules for a reason, so why not follow them??? Everyone else did. Its for the kids...that means under 18's not 20+!!!!! Hopefully next year will be better and ALL bands follow the rules..not pick and choose the rules you want to follow.
Well done CSO, Comets and CSI

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