News: Cawthorne Brass Band
BRASS BAND ON TUNE FOR NEW PREMISES
A Brass Band has been associated with Cawthorne for over 135 years. For the last few years, however, the Cawthorne Brass Band has been based in nearby Silkstone Common because of a lack of suitable premises in Cawthorne where the band can rehearse and store instruments, music and equipment.
Because the Band wished to return to Cawthorne, planning permission to build a simple storeroom extension in the Village Hall, purely for the Band’s use, was obtained in 2004. Sufficient funds to start work on the extension were raised, thanks to the generous support of Cawthorne Parish Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Cawthorne Wives, other charitable funds and individual donations. The Band also held two Christmas Concerts in the Village Hall to raise additional funds. The Band wishes to publicly thank All Saints Church Choir which supported the concerts.
To date funds have been raised to provide for the drawing of the architectural plans, the planning application fees, laying the foundations and concrete base, the provision of a security door (which has been fitted), and the purchase of stone for the main building works.
The next phase is to commence the actual building, erecting the stone walls to link in with the existing rear kitchen extension. It is hoped that this will commence in the near future, and we will soon see a progression of the extension. Band players and members are going to assist with the work in order to keep costs as low as possible. However, existing funds do not stretch as far as covering the costs of the necessary roofing timbers and stone tiles, therefore a further appeal will be launched, seeking financial support from the residents and businesses of Cawthorne.
The Band provides gratis, goodwill performances to Cawthorne at least four times a year, in the form of the Whit Sunday Procession in May; the Village Sing in July; Remembrance Sunday Parade in November and the Spirit of Christmas Service in December. These performances would command fees in the region of £1000 plus if performed commercially, so this is a significant gesture on the part of the Band.
Village Brass Bands are declining nationally, and although the Cawthorne Brass Band does not enter competitions, it is very proud to belong to Cawthorne, and to be able to continue the traditions of village life as described above. The Band would like to thank all who have supported it, and who will support it in the future. In this respect the Cawthorne Brass Band would be delighted to accept any donations towards the building fund. These can be sent to ‘Cawthorne Brass Band’, c/o 3, Kirkfield Close, Cawthorne,
Cawthorne Brass Band, September 2008
