The Lanner & District Silver Band announce an ambitious new building project which they hope will secure an exciting future for the West of England band.

Chicken shed

The band will move into a brand new purpose built bandroom by 2014 – a far cry from the local chicken shed they first rehearsed in when formed in 1965!

The move has become necessary due to the growing success of the Lanner Brass Academy formed two years ago under the directorship of Phil Matthews and of the senior band led by Musical Director, Stuart Chappell.

Outgrown

Stuart told 4BR: “Our current facilities have been great, although the band's sound has outgrown the acoustics. In addition, the copious amount of percussion equipment that is now required at top level banding means that we're struggling to fit it all in!"

The project will bring something new to the village of Lanner which will be able to boast some of the best music making facilities in the South WestChairman, Lee Rouse

Best facilities

The band’s chairman, Lee Rouse, added: "The project will bring something new to the village of Lanner which will be able to boast some of the best music making facilities in the South West. It is however, not just about music."

He added: "We have been delighted to welcome the Lanner Scout troop into the project and the new building will see them with their own purpose built base.”