The Bandroom, Todmorden, Lancs
Bandroom Developments
October 2005
In the last newsletter we reported the breaking news of the return of the Wellington Rd bandroom to our community band after a three year campaign, led by Maurice Greenwood, of lobbying the Arts Council of England and the MP for Calderdale, Mrs Chris McCafferty.
So it seems appropriate that we give everyone an update on the progress at the bandroom since the keys to the door were handed to our Chairman, Mr Keith Dewhirst in August.
An invitation to volunteers to help lift the carpet for storage, revealed that the floor was rotten in several places. Within a few hours the whole floor had been removed.
As fast as the indoor team could rip the floor up the outdoor team load up a convoy of vehicles to take the bits away.
On another weekend a team put in many hours filling a skip with several cubic metres
of rubbish that had accumulated on the site over the years. The Wellington Rd neighbours
are very impressed with our efforts to-
Once the floor had been cleared the walls were next with all the old radiators, plumbing, lining boards and plaster being removed to about a metre above the floor level.
Then we struck water! It appears the reason for the rotten floor was that significant quantities of water were running into the base of the building from the pavement on Wellington Road. We are now working with the Council agencies to identify the source of the water and correct this fault before resuming work on rebuilding the floor.
We are also trying to identify funding sources to raise the estimated £10,000+funds required to make good the building.
More news of this in future newsletters.
February/ March
With the New Year came a rejuvenating spirit for the fund-
The problem of water retention has been solved. Slowly the building will dry out.The walls have all been treated for damp and fungal infestation.
Work is ongoing to rebuild the floor with new support walls but first we have clear the footings.
The roof has been inspected and is sound. Some work needs to be done on the ridge tiles and guttering.
April
Work begins laying the new floor beams and blocks.
Plastering of the walls begins.
Kenny removes the old central heating system.
May
Work starts painting the walls.
Maurice is busy fixing battening to the floor.
Just when we thought we were getting on like a house on fire we discover that the floor under the office, kitchen and toilet are rotten and have to be removed.
June
Dry rot treatment to office, kitchen and toilet area. Work begins re-
The target of £10,000 no longer looks an impossible task. One or two locals have very generously made appreciable donations to our funds. We’re all confident that the target will be reached in the near future.
Work proceeds now at a pace with the installation of a new suspended ceiling complete with new lighting . Walls and woodwork are in the process of being painted.
Kenny has completed his work on the central heating system, the boiler has been commissioned and the system is in full working order.We now have a carpeted floor.
The bandroom is looking great and it shouldn’t be too long before we’ll be able to have our first rehearsal.
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August 2006
We have been in the band room now for some time and we thought that we should update you with the latest developments.
The band room was officially opened by Maurice Greenwood on the 12th November 2005. The band played a short concert for invited guests and the general public while they took refreshments.
In early July ‘06 work began to erect security fencing and gates around the perimeter of the band room. The work was completed by Monday the 3rd of July.
Little else now needs doing, perhaps some loft insulation in readiness for the coming Winter months. All in all we now have a fine band room, one that others may look on with envy.
A big thank to everyone who had a part in the restoration of the Wellington Road Bandroom.
Pictures of the finished bandroom can be seen in the Photo Gallery