Staines Brass has announced the departure of two key members of the band.

Guards

Jason Pickin and Martin Leach, who both serve with the Grenadier Guards Band have been assigned to new posts.

Jason is going to The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals in Cosford, with Martin heading to The Band of the King’s Division in Preston — two of the new brass bands recently created by the British Army.

Huge gap

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Both Jason and Martin have carried out the role of Band Manager to the highest standard, and they will leave a huge gap within the band.

It will be very difficult for us replace such high quality and dedicated bandsmen but we would like to wish them both the very best of luck for the future."

Flood thanks

Meanwhile, the band has also taken the opportunity to thank their local community following a very testing few months since their area of London endured terrible flooding.

The spokesperson added: "Our practice room became a victim of the sheer volume of water within the Lammas Park area and as a result the band has still not yet had a rehearsal in their own facilities this year.

That however is finally changing and will be back to normal soon."

It will be very difficult for us replace such high quality and dedicated bandsmen but we would like to wish them both the very best of luck for the futureStaines Brass

Help

They added: "We would like to thank St Peter’s, St Paul’s and St Andrews Churches, the Staines Salvation Army Band and special thanks to our closest neighbours the Egham Band for their help in allowing us to use their rooms and halls since January.

Without their help the band would not have been able to make appearances at the Yeovil and Stevenage Contests and the recent concert with Andy Greenwood."