World's best brass band seeks new home

Foden's Band manager Mark Wilkinson says they are struggling to find a new rehearsal space in Sandbach

Members of a brass band in Cheshire that is more than a century old fear they could be left without a rehearsal space after a change of use at their current venue.

Foden's Band has been based in Sandbach since 1902, and has performed around the globe - winning practically every major brass band title available.

Their hopes of competing in the European Championships in May, however, risk being derailed after they were served notice on their current home at Bradwall Village Hall.

"Trying to find something in such a small area where we are based that ticks all the boxes is proving extremely difficult," band manager Mark Wilkinson said.

The band has had a number of different names throughout its history, coinciding with its various sponsors.

It was founded by local industrialist Edward Foden, who enticed "the best players in the land" to join by offering them a house and a job at his truck-building firm.

Today, its costs are covered by selling tickets to the 35 shows performed each year.

There is a 20-member community band and a 60-member youth band, as well as the main band.

The main ensemble is currently the double British champion brass band, and is ranked as the best in the world.

"We’ve won every major title that there is - we've won numerous national championships, we've won the American brass band championships, we've also won the Swiss brass band championships, as well as every contest that there actually is in this country," Mr Wilkinson said.

He said it had proven difficult to find the right size of rehearsal space in Sandbach, with the main issue being the need for a venue that was available all week so that equipment could be kept there on non-rehearsal days, to save time setting up and packing down.

Foden's Band is ranked as the best in the world, and has won practically every major title available

The band also has items on display that celebrate its history.

"Where we rehearse at the moment, we have a museum, of the artefacts we've built up over the past 100 years," said Mr Wilkinson. "We’ve got a vast library that we need access to."

He has been a member of the band for 32 years and has overseen previous challenges, including a devastating fire in 2016 that destroyed its previous venue and much of its archives.

He is now hoping a new venue can be found to secure the band's short-term success in competitions and long-term survival.