The band has been badly affected by the Coronavirus restrictions in place since March this year. Every event we planned was cancelled and we are unable to carry out our usual busy programme of Christmas concerts and carolling.
Great credit goes to all our players who have kept going throughout the year: rehearsing outdoors in September and October often in cold and wet conditions; having to stay socially distanced when a suitable indoor space was found; missing out on the band's usual annual tour and unable to socialise with each other.
We have a great tradition of participating in community events and want to carry on this tradition, but the situation this year has taken its toll and we have been unable to raise funds through performances and have also been unable to attract new members because of our enforced inactivity.
We want to keep the band going. We believe that it adds an extra dimension to our community and creates a link between generations and traditions through music. When the band tours internationally it carries the great name of youth and Hebden Bridge with it. We deliberately keep band fees reasonably low to enable all those interested to be part of the band but running costs are greater than our income and we are appealing now for funds to help us continue being part of the community.