Village band club salutes welcome cash windfall

An iconic band club has struck the right chord and landed funding for important refurbishments to its historic headquarters.

Dobcross Band and Social Club has received £9,800 after celebrating another successful bid to the National Lottery Community Fund. 

Following three previous awards, which funded desperately-needed roof repairs and the replacement of the external wall cladding, the latest cash windfall is for the total refurbishment of the club’s main kitchen.

The much-needed improvements will make life easier for organisers of regular activities at the club, including valuable monthly village community coffee shop events and the Elderberries coffeehouse mornings.

“The events provide support to community initiatives, aimed at enhancing lives of village residents,” said band club president Terry Lawless.

“They will also help the club develop new initiatives as they look to extend community use of the facilities.

"We are considering rekindling a popular monthly lunch club, previously held at the Sandy Lane church, which is now sadly closed.

“The idea would be to assemble a team of volunteers to provide a monthly lunch menu at a reasonable price to members of our local and extended community.

"The focus would be on providing a regular social activity with the benefit of a good square meal.

"It would be open to all, but particularly targeted at potentially vulnerable members of the community at risk of social isolation.”

He added: “Dobcross Band Club is rooted right at the heart of the local community and the committee are always looking for new ways of extending the use of the facilities for the benefit of residents. 

“This funding will enable us to develop new ways of interacting with the whole community.

"If anyone has any suggestions or might be interested in getting involved in setting up the lunch club, we would be delighted to hear from them.

“As with everyone else, our plans are largely hold until the current crisis comes to an end.

"In the meantime, please stay at home, stay safe and help to protect our extremely precious NHS.”

Ideas and suggestions can be emailed to: info@dobcrossbandclub.co.uk

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