A brass band will be opening their doors to visitors for the first time since 2016 as part of the national Heritage Open Days festival.
Water Village Band has been based in the villages of Water and Lumb in Rossendale since 1866 and is now the borough’s primary non-competing community brass band.
The current bandroom in Burnley Road East has been their home since the 1970s, but the building itself dates back 200 years to when it was a pub and a farm building.
Tim Nuttall, the band’s chair, said their history will be on display and a band rehearsal will be taking place so visitors can hear them in an informal session ahead of their October concert at the Boo Theatre in Waterfoot.
He added: “We last held an open day in 2016 for our 150th anniversary.
"We had planned to hold them every couple of years but of course, Covid lockdowns intervened then we were closed for a major refurbishment.
“When Rossendale Heritage Network decided to get a group of properties to take part in Heritage Open Days we thought this would be an ideal chance to welcome the public ack and show off our wonderful modern facility but also the building’s history.”
The bandroom will be open from 12pm to 4pm on Saturday, September 14, with refreshments available for visitors.
People will also have a chance to try out an instrument.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations.
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