Dear Friends,

As with all buildings the band room needs constant maintenance but recently damp was discovered on the back wall. After a closer inspection it seems the roof and the rear wall need major repair work.

The band room also has unused space to the rear of the building but when we have a full turnout of players we struggle with room. The restricted room to move freely can result in below standard performance.

After discussions we have decided to combine the repairs with the lack of space and so extend the band room. The estimated cost of the project is £ 100,000.

Stage one was to remove the rubble and rubbish that has piled up over the years, which was completed by volunteers from within the band over two weekends.

Stage two was to get architects plans drawn up and at least three quotes from building firms.

Stage three is the fund raising. The money needs to be raised by donations, band jobs, lottery grants, and various other ideas we or other people come up with. One such idea is what we are calling the “BUY-A-BRICK” scheme.

For a donation of £5 per brick the purchaser’s name is recorded for the records and a certificate is sent to them. Every person who takes part in the Buy-A-Brick scheme will have their name assigned to a brick, which will be a record for future generations to show them just how the project became a reality. The names will be recorded on this site too.

Why help ?
The band provides the local community with a wind band that reaches out to the whole of the North-West and beyond, showing what a great area and community we have here in Tameside, and the North-West.

It serves as a valuable resource to further educate the youth, encouraging them and also providing them with role models and musical support outside of school.

It also provides an area where after education both young and mature adults can ensure further growth in their musical field/playing and help train the other upcoming youth of tomorrow.

Unlike the many local brass bands, as well as the usual brass instruments we have the more unusual such as French Horn, and the wind instruments like clarinet, flute, piccolo, oboe and bassoon.

Without the band rehearsal room there would be no band and a loss of these great instruments in our area.

If anyone is interested in assisting or contributing to the fund raising you can e-mail us for information at friendsadamson@aol.com or talk to us at any of our events.

If you are interested in joining the band or know someone who may be, just pop down on a rehearsal night (Thurs 8-10pm / Sun 10am-12pm), or send us an e-mail. Age is not a problem as the youngest member is 11, and the oldest, shall we just say a few years more.

Click here for a map showing the location of the bands rehearsal room.