Calls to the King to halt marching band eviction

The Isle of Sheppey St John Ambulance band has been in its current premises in Queenborough Road for 50 years

Britain's last remaining St John Ambulance marching band has sent a letter to King Charles appealing for his help to save them from eviction.

The musicians have been in their current property in Halfway, on the Isle of Sheppey, for 50 years.

St John Ambulance said it was putting the premises up for sale following a "thorough review of the condition, running costs, maintenance requirements, and location of the building, confirming it was no longer suitable for our service needs".

Bandmaster Dean Faulkner said as the King had been royal patron of the charity since 2024, the band had "nothing to lose" by sending him the letter.

Bill Jarvis, 90, is the oldest member of Sheppey St John Ambulance Band

"It is appalling they want to sell the premises, considering that we have been part of this community for many years," Mr Faulkner added.

The 59-year-old said the land at Queenborough Road had been gifted by Lord Harris in 1974 and the property built with the support of community funds.

Mr Faulkner, who has been a member of St John Ambulance for 48 years, said the charity had now given them until 23 September to move out - an extension from the previous notice of 31 August.

He said the band had also submitted an application to Swale Borough Council proposing to buy the building as a community asset.

"We are so grateful for the community's support in our fight to save the premises," Mr Faulkner added.

'Simply not realistic'

Kevin McKenna, Labour MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, wrote a letter to the chief executive of St John Ambulance asking them to pause the sale process and launch a public consultation.

He wrote: "This decision seems to reflect a growing and troubling pattern.

"Essential services are increasingly being centralised, often to the detriment of communities that are both geographically isolated and economically disadvantaged such as Sheppey."

Mr McKenna added travelling off the island was "simply not realistic", especially for older members and those with disabilities.

St John Ambulance has offered a new property to the band 25 miles (40km) away in Rochester.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "We are engaging with local volunteers and band members to secure a suitable spot-hire meeting place from several promising leads in Sheppey while we seek more permanent premises in the region."

They added this approach helped ensure "effective management of our resources".