FOLLOWING the announcement that Holsworthy Town Band was to lose its practice space in 12 months’ time members contacted the town council for help, writes Zoë Uglow.

Band members asked the town council if it could suggest a suitable venue it could relocate to and store its instruments in once its usual space was no longer available.

The town council discussed the issue on Wednesday, June 7, at a full council meeting and came up with a novel solution.

Town clerk Vanessa Saunders told the council that the town band had been asked to vacate its current premises within the next 12 months as Peter, Peter and Wright Solicitors, owners of the building, were due to reclaim the site and turn it into flats. She asked if anyone had a suggestion for where the band could not only house itself but its vast array of instruments and music as well.

She said: “The storage of music is needed but is not their top priority yet, really they just want somewhere they can practice.”

Mayor Jon Hutchings said: “The band do support the town council on a lot of events, I think it would be nice for us to support them in return. A band stand back in the park would be nice.”

The council agreed unanimously with this suggestion. It discussed the viability of purchasing a bandstand and where it could possibly be sited — naming several areas in Stanhope Park.

Cllr John Allen said: “It has been proposed at this council before.”

Cllr Parker added: “I think it would be lovely to have a band stand in the park again for concerts that would bring the town together.”

Ms Saunders asked if the council wanted her to investigate the viability of a bandstand and all agreed it would be an interesting idea to pursue.