Bands plea for rehearsal rooms

The Kirkby Colliery Band are making a desperate appeal to anyone who might be able to offer them space for weekly rehearsals.

The band has been forced to find new accommodation after the closure of the East Kirkby Miners Welfare on 20th October.

Players are saddened to lose their 40-year-old rehearsal space behind the club, which was built by contributions from the miners who worked at the Summit Colliery.

Val Wilkes, band secretary, said: “We have lost everything.

“The feeling we have is that the whole band could collapse if we don’t find rehearsal space.

“It would be a real shame because the band is traditional to the area.

“It has been running for more than 110 years and is loved by the people of Kirkby.

“But we won’t be going down without a fight.”

The band receives no funding or sponsorship and cannot afford to hire rehearsal space.

Val added: “We are now looking for new premises.

“If anyone has a room that we could use preferably with some storage facilities in the local area - perhaps a factory or warehouse who work 24 hours - please get in touch. We could offer advertising on our uniforms and free concerts.”

New members are also wanted to join them.

It currently has around 18 to 19 members. Budding musical directors, principal cornet players, sop, horn players and basses are asked to get in touch if interested.

Rehearsals take place on Thursdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and Sundays from 6pm to 8pm.

Val added: “If you are interested in helping us to make a new start then please get in touch.”

Contact Val on 01623 553 715 for more information.