Bodmin Town Band will be holding more than just a typical ‘open rehearsal’ this weekend.

New bandroom

This Sunday’s practice, to which everyone is welcome, will of course include a run-through of the Second Section Area test-piece, ‘Chaucer’s Tunes’ — but it will be held at their brand new rehearsal facility built on the site of their old bandroom, destroyed by fire four years ago.

The new £200,000 Narisa Hall (above) overlooking the town’s Priory Park, has been rebuilt after what seemed like exhaustive wranglings with the freeholder and local council, and will be open just in time to welcome its first visitors ahead of the band’s Torquay appearance.

Two main halls

The building has been designed with two main halls with a central hub of kitchen and other facilities, and will be solely controlled and managed by the band, which can use one of the halls as their own fulltime base as well as making the other available to the local community.

Full time MD

The open rehearsal that will be led by Musical Director John Maines, who after leading the band at the National Finals in Cheltenham, has now taken on the role on a full-time basis.

Chairman Ryun Retallack told 4BR: "We were delighted when John agreed to take on the MD position of a permanent basis — and we are even more delighted that he will be able to direct us in the future at a wonderful new bandroom!"

We were delighted when John agreed to take on the MD position of a permanent basis — and we are even more delighted that he will be able to direct us in the future at a wonderful new bandroom!Bodmin Band

Delighted

John added: "Now the band is moving in the right direction on a sustainable basis, I was delighted to take on the role on a permanent basis."

Time and place

The rehearsal takes place on Sunday, 2nd March, between 2.00pm and 4.00pm with the added bonus of a welcoming cup of tea and slice of cake!