2016 Band room fire

Fire destroy's Foden's home

Foden’s Band can confirm that a fire which started on Sunday 17th April has destroyed most of their Bandroom which has been their home since 1993.

Following a significant and lengthy investigation by Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service and Cheshire Police, it has been deduced that the cause of the blaze is believed to be electrical and started accidentally.

Further work is required to understand the entire impact on band property in relation to instruments, uniforms and an extensive library but initial findings indicate significant loss. In addition, there is uncertainty about the home of the band. Shared premises will be used in the short term while decisions from the landlords are made; the band will consider all options in the medium and long term.

Speaking about the incident, band manager Mark Wilkinson commented ‘All at Foden’s are extremely saddened by the incident, especially the loss of much of the band’s historical archives. Musical Instruments can easily be replaced but to lose items of sentimental and historical value is devastating to the band, and the wider brass band community.

However, it is at times like this when you realise what a fantastic movement the Brass Band family is; we have been inundated with hundreds of messages of support and offers of help from bands and individuals, not only in our local area, but across the entire UK and overseas. We have also received numerous offers of help from various music publishing companies to start the rebuilding of our music library.

Despite our loss we participated in 3 concerts last week, something that would not have been possible without the offers of help and as far as the band is concerned, the show will go on and we will function as normally as possible. All existing and new concerts will be honoured and our wide ranging Youth development commitments will continue with a busy period of rehearsals and concerts for the Foden’s Youth & Junior Bands. However, we have reluctantly taken the step of withdrawing from Brass in Concert Championships due to the amount of time and effort needed to commission and arrange a programme which would represent the band in the way that the contest demands.

The incident has brought the already close band even closer together, and the rebuilding process has already started. Again, we would like to place on record our sincere thanks to all who have offered help and support; it has been truly heart-warming at this stressful time.’ 

 

Mark Wilkinson

 

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