Future of brass band secured

Church offers a home after plea in Chronicle
Chadderton Brass Band will play on — but is moving out of the town after more than a century.

It has a new home in Clarksfield following an overwhelming response to its appeal for a new practise venue amid fears that it could fold.

Last year the band lost its rehearsal room of many years following the closure of the former Chadderton Library.

It then moved to Chadderton Court on the opposite side of Middleton Road, but was told that there was not enough storage space for it to stay there.

Organisers worried the 20-strong band could be lost if a new venue was not found. But several organisations offered to help after its plight was featured in the Oldham Chronicle last month.

St Barnabas Church was considered the best option and members are moving there tomorrow.

Band musical directorg Jim Farnsworth said: “We are sad to be leaving Chadderton, our home of over a century, but at least the band still plays on.”

The band is a popular attraction at events such as Chadderton Day and the town’s Christmas lights switch on.

Other organisations which offered it a home were Greenacres Congregational Church, the Junction Inn, Royton Scouts, Springhead Liberal Club, Boarshurst Band Club, Chadderton FC and Oldham Roughyeds.

President Philip Rogers said: “The band was formed in about 1901 and disbanded in 1914, as most bands did during the First World War. It then reformed in the early 1920s.

“It has got a long history and there was a real fear it was going to be lost. We have been lucky, the people of Oldham have been absolutely brilliant.”

Rehearsals will be held at St Barnabas Church at 8pm on Mondays. New members are welcome and people should contact Mr Rogers on 07944838786