Bradford Metropolitan Concert Band hunts for new premises over Baildon Hall fears (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Metropolitan Concert Band hunts for new premises over Baildon Hall fears

11:00am Friday 15th March 2013 in News

Doubts over the future of historic Baildon Hall have prompted regular users the Bradford Metropolitan Concert Band to search for new rehearsal space.

The future of Baildon's oldest building hangs in the balance after Bradford planners snubbed its bid to build a house on a car park and thus raise cash for vital repairs to the 13th century manor house. The oak-panelled Hall is run as a private members' club which opens its doors to the community as a meeting place.

But high structural repair costs have raised doubts over the coming years although its members are determined to keep it open.

Now the Bradford Metropolitan Concert Band is considering quitting the Hall where it has rehearsed twice a week for several years.

“We are looking for a room for 37 musicians on a Thursday night and hopefully still a Sunday morning, with storage for a large library and all our equipment and instruments,” said its musical director Louise Lingard-Snape.

“If we don’t get anywhere to rehearse then I dread to think what would happen to this strong, versatile and historic community band.

Baildon Hall Club president Barbara Boyes said although there was no immediate threat of closure, she had felt obliged to let the BMCB consider its options.

“Obviously if they are wanting to try and get somewhere else that is up to them,” Mrs Boyes said yesterday.

She said there were other factors involved as the successful band had increased in number and had almost outgrown the hall anyway.

She said that although the Hall faced a tough time financially, there were other options if the band were to leave.