A SCHEME to provide a new headquarters for Kirkbymoorside Brass Band and the market town’s scout troop has been unveiled when members of the Town Council gave their support to the principle of the ambitious venture.

The development, earmarked for Manor Vale, would see the band room built on the site of the existing Scout headquarters, which would be replaced on a nearby site owned by the Ravenswick Estate.

Estate owner James Holt and John Woodward, chairman of the band, asked the town council for their initial backing.

Town mayor, Councillor Chris Dowie welcomed the idea. adding: “We look forward to the formal plans being submitted.”

She said there was agreement between the band, the scouts and the estate for the project.

Mr Woodward said the band had been at Manor Vale since 1908 and the Scouts since 1947. “We desperately need new facilities,” he said. “Manor Vale has been an eyesore for a long time.”

Councillor Martin Brampton said: “We should welcome any improvements for the site.”

Another part of the Manor Vale site – the former county council highways depot – is earmarked for housing. But, said Mr Woodward, it would not be compatible to put housing alongside the band room because of the potential complaints from residents when the musicians were playing.

A new bandroom, he said, would provide the band with much-needed rehearsal rooms.

Mr Woodward said: “With a general decline in the number of brass bands in the UK, increasingly fewer communities are able to boast the presence of their own local town band. Our players take great pride in the fact that we can still fulfil such a need in Kirkbymoorside.”