I READ the article concerning the Poole Borough Band’s impending loss of their band rehearsal facilities at the Lifeboat premises in the town with sorrow and anxiety (Echo October 2).

For the best part of a decade and through the generosity of the RNLI they have enjoyed a practice room with favourable acoustic properties and safe storage space for their equipment and instruments.

But due to the changes about to take place on the site this facility has now ended.

I write as a past member and now a Brass Band Archivist so the future of all bands concern me.

The history of the Poole band goes back a long way. The earliest mention was in 1810.

For many years they were in the limelight playing in the parks, accompanying church parades, leading the annual town carnival, Armistice parades massed with other bands in Poole Park.

It was at the cessation of WWII that the band came to the fore with a complete reorganisation which changed the band from a brass and reed outfit to a brass band of 24 players.

It was at this time that they engaged the services of Clifford Clark a man steeped in the traditions of the brass band. The impact was immediate.

The scene had been set for improvements which were to find the band being offered better engagements within Poole and beyond.

The improvement continued and today the band is graded as a 1st section band nationally.

What can be done to secure the future for one of Poole’s best assets? As ambassadors for the town and recognised as such by the inclusion of ‘Borough’ in its title, maybe the council could offer a solution.

Perhaps a local business could consider adoption. Their name could be included in the band’s title.

Consider the advertising this could create for perhaps very little outlay other than rehearsal facilities and safe keeping of the instruments and equipment.

How distressing that the band should be placed in the situation that they now find themselves in.

Let us hope this situation will soon resolve itself.

A visit to the band website will provide much information: www.pooleboroughband.com.

ROLAND CLARK, Library Road, Parkstone, Poole