Brassed off!

They had to find a new home for £30,000 worth of brass instruments, stands, their music library and uniforms.

Despite widespread efforts to find benefactors to take over no-one came forward, so rather than sell off their assets they decided to keep them in Leigh and put them into Bedford High School.

A year on, secretary Harold Roberts, who would love to see the band rise again, is sad that the valuable instruments are lying unused and feels Wigan Metro should provide extra cash to provide brass tuition for pupils.

Community band

Harold, who still plays and now lives in Cumbria, said: "I come back to the school every month to play in a community band, but we would like to see the children using the instruments regularly.

"They need to be played constantly or they start to seize up. They need regular maintenance.

"We play a lot of modern music today and hoped that experienced musicians going in to play with the band would encourage youngsters to come and play. We need young blood.

"I was choked and saddened that so many Leigh players who are with other out of town bands allowed it to fold. The lack of support really hurt. It was a crying shame people were so apathetic.

"We have managed to pull a band together to play for the Remembrance Day parade and hope to continue to do so, but one tradition that is missed is the tour we did for 20 years around the Leigh clubs on Christmas Eve.

"I would love to see the band reform. All it needs is people to get together once a month to play. There's money in the pot to maintain the instruments. I can't understand why it doesn't happen."

Instruments

A school spokesman said there had been a brass band in the school for 20 years and that some of the instruments were being used, but many pupils had their own.

She said that interest was on the rise again and that the Tuesday evening brass band sessions at school were a great success.

Plans are also underway for a workshop at the school in June culminating in an evening concert.