A BRASS band recovering from a rocky couple of years which threatened its existence has launched a patron scheme to help garner financial support.

Old Silkstone Band was forced out of its band room following a legal dispute and has now taken permanent residency at Silkstone Common Methodist Church.

But there is no room for its valuable and important equipment including uniforms, music stands and thousands of pounds worth of sheet music. Instead, these are kept in a storage container miles away from their base and transported by car ready for each rehearsal or performance.

Band members have been trying to raise money for storage facilities and better soundproofing at the rehearsal room at the back of the church.

Now the band has signed up its first official patrons who make pledges of at least £50 a year in return for special treatment and performances by the band.

“The band has had a rocky few years having lost our facilities leading to legal battles which in the end we couldn’t keep fighting,” said soprano cornet player Wendy Atkinson. “We’ve had a change in musical director, the loss of musicians and yet we are still fighting and still making music.”

Despite a flurry of members falling away - including many heading off to university - the band was still able to retain its status in the first section of competitive brass banding - the second of five tiers underneath the Championship Section, in which the famous bands like Grimethorpe Colliery, Black Dyke and Brighouse and Rastrick all compete.

“We didn’t do so well in the contest this year, but it’s taken on a points average over three years, so because we did well last year we stay in the first section, which was really good news.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to do that well this year after all the changes, but we really are rebuilding now.”

The band runs on a non-profit basis, and tries to meet running costs through ticket sales from concerts and player subscriptions. But this isn’t enough to help maintain equipment, make new purchases and improve its rehearsal room.

“In order to help the band develop further and ensure its long-term sustainability, it is vital that we identify ways to secure its financial well-being,” said Wendy.

Single Patrons pay £50, joint patrons pay £75 and businesses pay £100. Patrons receive a twice-yearly invitation to a rehearsal for an intimate VIP performance, including refreshments, a monthly newsletter, priority tickets including reserved seating for concert performances before tickets go on general sale.

Names are printed in each concert programme, and on the patrons section of the band’s website, and businesses will have their logo and a brief outline of the company on the website.

Anyone interested in becoming a patron can email info@oldsilkstoneband.com