A BAND that was formed 130 years ago in Cricklade is homeless, following the shock announcement that its base would be closing down.

Users of the popular high street venue The Club were alerted on Friday, January 20, that it would be shut for good on the following Monday, leading to a scramble to move equipment and belongings before the keys were handed over.

The famous Cricklade Band, who have been based at the popular high street venue for eight years, were one of the groups caught by surprise at the closure.

Band leader Paul Hewer said the feeling among the band was one of shock.

“The weekend was spent in organising the move, finding storage for what turned out to 11 pallets of band equipment and music and making the move on Sunday to avoid the possibility of our equipment being impounded,” he said.

“The band is now in its 130th year of existence, The Club was only the fourth headquarters in its history.

“Being at The Club put us squarely in the centre of the town, and also kept the town in the centre of us.

“It would be very concerning if circumstances meant that our 'home' was no longer in the town.”

The band is now looking for a new home, as they prepare for this year’s performances.

“Both our Band Academy and the Performance Band rehearsed there weekly and almost as importantly, our band store and music library was also located there,” continued Paul.

“In addition, the band used the function room for fund-raising events and about three concerts a year.

“The band is a large organisation in Cricklade and our needs for a rehearsal and storage base are not small - inevitably it will take some time for a suitable venue to be found.

“We have had significant support shown through our social media awareness campaign and there have been numerous suggestions for a possible home, it will take a while for that to translate into a pragmatic solution.”

Two vice-presidents have offered emergency temporary storage for the band’s gear, while others helped with move the equipment from The Club.

The band are currently looking to find a replacement venue for their Spring Show, which was due to take place at The Club on Sunday, April 2.