Last St John Ambulance marching band evicted

The band on the Isle of Sheppey formed in 1946 and is now the last of its kind

Britain's last remaining St John Ambulance marching band has been told it must leave its home in Kent as the building is put up for sale.

The band is based in Halfway, on the Isle of Sheppey, and says it was told three weeks ago that it must leave the property by 31 August.

A spokesperson said the band was offered a new premises 25 miles away in Rochester but members declined because it was "unsuitable" and not big enough to store their instruments.

St John Ambulance said it was committed to the future of the band and is working to find a new premises.

The building is used as a meeting place by the band, as well as other groups associated with St John Ambulance.

Band member Ben Pointing said: "Our building in Queenborough Road was gifted by Lord Harris in 1974 and built with funds raised by the community.

"Now it is being sold by St John Ambulance HQ in London.

"We were given just eight weeks to find a new venue despite the building costing the organisation nothing."

Mr Pointing said members are now "desperate" to find a suitable home, central to Sheppey, which has enough space to practice their routines and store their instruments.

"All of this comes just months before our 80th anniversary which is a milestone now overshadowed by uncertainty and disappointment," he added.

"The band, our youth and our volunteers all deserve better."

A fundraiser has been set up to help secure new premises for the band or to pay for instrument storage until a new home is found.

A spokesperson for St John Ambulance said the organisation was closing the building after reviewing its use, condition, running costs and long-term sustainability.

"We are strongly committed to the future of the band in the region and there has never been any suggestion the band should be disbanded.

"Our focus is on ensuring that both the band and other St John members, including our Cadets and Badgers, have a suitable meeting place that can continue to meet both their and the wider organisation's needs into the future," a spokesperson added.