THE 130-year-old Skipton Properties Band may have to fold if it cannot find new members and a rehearsal room.

President Antony Davies said the band now only had a core of seven or eight members and could no longer represent the town in competitions around the country.

He added that unless new players committed themselves to the group, Skipton people could also face losing the band for performances at local galas, the Armistice Day parade, and Christmas carol concerts.

"It is about to fold unless we can do something about it," said Mr Davies.

He added that the band had been declining gradually over recent years and that everything came to a head recently when they lost the rehearsal room at Ermysted's Grammar School.

The room was the old scout hut, which has been condemned and will be demolished.

Mr Davies said that only two people from Skipton were now involved in the running of the band and the rest of the work fell to players from out of the area.

He added that the time had come for Skiptonians to pick the band up and resurrect it.

The reasons for the band's demise are thought to be work commitments. Some players have not been able to attend rehearsals and there has been a lack of brass instrument players coming through the local schools.

Mr Davies said that 15 years ago music tuition in schools was free and many more children learnt to play brass instruments.

He added that there was also so much else for youngsters to do with their spare time now and playing in a brass band was not "trendy."

However, on a positive note the band is not struggling financially thanks to the backing of Brian and Linda Verity and Skipton Properties.

There are enough instruments to go round and there is a core group of talented players waiting to devote their time to building a junior band for the future.

Everyone is welcome from eight-year-old beginners to the more advanced.

The youngsters will help to continue the band's 130-year-old tradition.

It started from humble beginnings as Jack Guy's Skipton Mission Band.

It was re-formed after World War One as Skipton Prize Band and has since gone from strength to strength competing in the Championship section - the premiership of the brass band world.

The band has played in the Albert Hall and the Birmingham Symphony Hall and has made numerous television and radio appearances.

Remarkably it is one of the few bands of its status to remain truly amateur despite considerable success. The players do not get paid and are asked to pay a membership fee.

Mr Davies said it would be a shame for Skipton to lose its band, which was the envy of other towns.

For more information or to offer a rehearsal room contact Mr Davies on 01756 797696.