Youth band from Brentwood given £85,000 funding (From Brentwood Weekly News)

Youth band from Brentwood given £85,000 funding

5:42pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News

COUNCIL bosses have agreed to give £85,000 to a youth band who are building a larger building to practice in.

Brentwood Council has given the money to the town’s branch of the Royal British Legion Youth Band as part of a fund matching scheme.

The band, who originally formed as a bugel group in 1990, are currently building new facilities worth £185,000 at their home just off The Drive, Warley, to help cater for new members and increase practice space.

John Wyndham, the band director, said the funds will be a great boost to the band.

Mr Wyndham said: “We became aware about five years ago that we needed bigger facilities as we were running out of space.

“We have at least 100 members on our books and it has got the point where some lessons and practices have had to be done in hallways and even toilets!

“We are all really grateful for the money, which will give us the last push we need to get the building ready which we hope will be done by Christmas before a formal opening in February.”

A number of councillors including Warley-ward member David Tee, chairman of Asset, Infrastructure and Localism Panel Russell Quirk and council leader Louise McKinlay supported the idea.

Mr Tee, who visited the band’s home on numerous occasions, said he hopes the funding will help the band move onwards and upwards in years to come
The Tory councillor said: “The Brentwood Royal British Legion Youth Band is well known locally for providing a high quality facility for young people.

“But their lack of space means that they haven’t been able to take on new members.

“So it’s great that we have been able to help them with the cost of a new room. I look forward to them going from strength to strength.”