Karl's bandstand plea for Saddleworth villages

Ardent brass band devotee Karl Jones is sounding a clarion call for Saddleworth villages to have their own dedicated bandstands. 

Karl, who plays tuba with Friezland Band and has lived in Saddleworth for 20 years, has launched a social media group to take a sounding on the idea across the community. 

Already 120 members have joined, with local councillors expressing an interest. 

He said: “Apparently quotes have already been looked at and there is a small possibility of some council funding. 

“There are three obvious choices - Grotton Pavillion, Uppermill Park and Greenfield Park.

"The Greenfield option is good as it could be used for Whit Friday and the Autumn Leaves contests, as well as lovely summer concerts.

“However, funding, storage, maintenance and avoiding anti-social behaviour at night will be problems we have to negotiate.

“I plan to speak to other parks that have bandstands to see how they deal with these things.

"I'm sure these are all things we can overcome. 

“We're looking for opinions at the moment, but, on a practical level, we will need at least some funding from somewhere and someone to build it.

“But these are surely things the community in Saddleworth can overcome to give a proper home to the heart of brass banding.”

He added: “My wife Rachel plays in Dobcross Brass Monkeys and they played at Beaumont Park at the weekend near Huddersfield.

"What an amazing bandstand with really good acoustics.”

You can join Karl’s group by clicking here

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