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The Band Room and
The James Holt Concert Hall Our band room was built in 1976 on land kindly donated by James Holt who lives in Kirby. It is a purpose built building and is used for all band activities including practice which is two or three times a week. The band room is situated in Manor vale at the top of the village.   |
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By Oct 2018 the old
scout hut had been demolished and the footings dug. The concrete was poured
by the end of November. The steel work went up quickly and by the end of
December some of the roof, cladding and most of the block work was finished.
By mid January the floor had the hardcore levelled and three weeks later the
reinforcing and ducting of the floor was completed. The concrete was laid
and the entrance roof was started by the end of February. The start of March
2019 saw the band making a start with the internal fittings – ventilation,
heating, plumbing, electrical and decorating. Now we are tidying up the
internal furnishings in preparation for our opening ceremony on Sunday the
22nd September.
Band Concert Hall in Manor Vale Lane - John
Barrett Phase 1– completed
April 2019 The band had a water sealed hall, but one that was devoid of any
internal electrical and plumbing fittings or decoration and furnishing etc.
Phase 2 – completed
June 2019 The band had secured all internal fittings and complete the
decoration work. Phase 3 – to finish
the furnishing and fitting out (staging/lighting/seating etc) so that the
project can be completed.
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In
October 2018 the band was finally able to get started with its ambitious
plan to build an extension to the existing band room. The extension will
create a new 200 seat concert hall. This idea first emerged in 2015 and
after a series of delays the band acquired all the land that it needed for
the new hall early in 2018. With the help of a team of volunteers, including
Mr Eric Clarke’s most generous support and endeavour with his digger, the
site was cleared and construction work began. 
The
delay in starting had led to increased costs that caused the band to
readjust its plans and to devise a three phased strategy.
All
three Phases have a projected total cost of around £370,000 (as at August
2019) but of course the band did not commit to this build without financial
backing. Thankfully, due to the generosity of band supporters and the band’s
Charitable grant applications it has generated sufficient promises of funds
or grants and donations on hand to press on uninterrupted into Phase 3
without any funding hiatus.