SIR – I recently heard a brass band play at a local engagement and, as it always does, it reminded me how valuable they are to our communities.

Sadly, many of them struggle financially, and even some of the famous bands here in Yorkshire no longer enjoy the generous support of the companies their names still proudly carry. Nearly all brass bands in Britain are effectively supported by public subscription.

I can remember as a seven-year-old, my late father introducing me to the late George Thompson, the legendary professional conductor of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Mr Thompson received, from the now much-maligned National Coal Board, a house in Grimethorpe, a salary and expenses.

The day before a contest, the players, at that time all colliery workers, were in the band room rehearsing. Since then Grimethorpe has played at The Proms in London and at venues including Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall, New York, bringing them considerable fame with their outstanding musical excellence.

In these times of largecorporate extravagance and multi-million pound sponsorship deals, the Coal Board’s, and indeed other companies’ investment in such ensembles now seems like small change.

Lorne Campbell, Constance Street, Saltaire