Home sought by band on the run

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Thursday 3rd Mar 2005.

Members of the historic Yorkshire Building Society Concert Brass Band have more than hitting the right note to worry about in the run-up to their next competition.

The 35-piece band is desperately looking for a new home in which to rehearse and store its instruments.

"We are a big band with big instruments so we do need quite a bit of space," said band manager Leslie Renshaw. "We also need secure premises that we can access easily and regularly."

The band needs a Bradford venue with approximately 70 square metres of floor area, and a second area of around 25 square metres for storage.

It rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday night.

"The benefit is you get to hear us practise and be associated with a band that has won lots of awards," said Mrs Renshaw.

The band lost its rehearsal space at Dixon's CTC in Ripley Street in December because the school needed the space for a major building programme.

"Since then the band has been making do and moving from one venue to another," said Mrs Renshaw.

"This does nothing to help us prepare for a very important competition,"

The band will compete in the 2005 Yorkshire Regional Brass Band Championship on Saturday at St George's Hall.

It will perform a piece called `Comedy', conducted by Mike Hannan.

"We are confident that we can perform well and win our section," said Mrs Renshaw.

Last year the band came second and its success means that this year they will move up a level and compete in the first section.

"Brass band competitions are a bit like football and we are not too far away from the premier division now," she said.

In October the band will play host to Shipley's twin town Hamm's brass band from the Hamm music school.

"It is important that we are settled in our new premises by then so we can host the visit to our best ability," said Mrs Renshaw.

The band asks anyone who can help to contact (01535) 272501.

Meanwhile, the YBS Brass Band, which lost its financial backing from the Yorkshire Building Society last year, is still looking for sponsorship to fund its bid to defend its European championship title.

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