Roller coaster ride for Isle of Sheppey Band following year of shock eviction
A lot can happen in a year. Just ask the musicians who made up the award-winning Sheppey St John Ambulance Band.
Suddenly, out of the blue, bosses at St John Ambulance head office decreed that the band was going to be homeless.
The 'hut' at Halfway, where they rehearsed and stored instruments, was going to be sold. Pleas to save it fell on deaf years. An offer to buy the building was also rejected.
Even a letter to the King, Charles III, went unanswered.
But, 12 months later, the band has bounced back after cutting ties with the organisation which had given birth to it 80 years ago.
Now, as the reborn Isle of Sheppey Band based at Sheppey Rigby Club marches on, spokesman Richard Broster reveals what the roller-coaster ride has been like - and how it has now hit the right note…
“A year ago, we honestly didn't know whether the St John Band had a future.
“After nearly 80 years, the doors suddenly closed on the building that generations of our band had called home.
“Generations of musicians had walked through those doors. Children had joined the band, learned their first notes and grown up within those four walls.
“Some went on to bring their own children into the band, while parents became grandparents and proudly watched another generation pick up an instrument and become part of something they themselves had loved for years.
“For some families, the band hadn't just been part of their lives - it had been part of their family story.
“There had been thousands of rehearsals. Friendships formed, love blossomed and engagements led to weddings.
“Music had been learned. There had been laughter, arguments, cups of tea, wrong notes and unforgettable performances. It wasn't just somewhere we rehearsed. It had been our home.
“And suddenly, it was gone.
“St John Ambulance was facing serious financial pressures and hundreds of properties were being sold. We understood the reasons but that didn't make walking away from almost 80 years of memories any easier.
“We were left wondering where we would go, where we would keep everything and, perhaps hardest of all, whether we could actually keep our band family together.
“We were even told by a high-ranking officer that without the backing of a large organisation, we wouldn't get the high-profile performances and opportunities that they could offer.
“For a while, perhaps some of us wondered if they were right. But something rather special happened.
“Nobody walked away.
“Instead, everyone pulled together. Our musicians kept turning up. Our families supported us. Friends helped us. People gave their time, moved equipment, found solutions and somehow, week by week, we started building again.
“And somewhere along the way we realised something. We hadn't actually lost our band home. Because our home was never really four walls and a roof.
“It was us.
“Twelve months later, the Isle of Sheppey Band is a registered charity with a new home and a future that we're incredibly excited about.
“And those opportunities we were told we might never have?
“We've performed at Brands Hatch - twice.
“We travelled to London and marched along The Mall towards Buckingham Palace.
“We've played at carnivals, fetes, remembrance events and community occasions, proudly carrying the Isle of Sheppey Band name wherever we go.
“But as wonderful as those moments have been, they aren't what we're most proud of.
“We're most proud that we're still together.
“We're proud that when things looked uncertain, nobody allowed nearly 80 years of history to simply disappear.
“We're proud of every musician who turns up to rehearsal, every parent who brings their child along, every grandparent who stands watching from the side with a smile because they remember when it was them, every volunteer who gives their time and every person who stops to listen when we play.
“And perhaps, somewhere among our band today, there's a young musician who will still be here decades from now, watching their own children or grandchildren put on a uniform, pick up an instrument and carry the Isle of Sheppey Band into another generation.
“A year ago, we thought we were losing our home.
“A year later, we understand that a building can be sold. Keys can be handed back. Doors can be locked.
“But you can't sell nearly 80 years of friendship, memories, music and belonging. You can't take away a family, a band family.
“And that's what the Isle of Sheppey Band is. A band. A family.
“And we're still here.
“In fact, we're only just getting started.
“Finally, a very special thank you to everyone who has supported us.
“Our first year would not have been possible without the generosity of the organisations, businesses and individuals who believed in the Isle of Sheppey Band and helped us when we needed it most.
“A huge thank you to:
“Colyer Ferguson • Minster on Sea Parish Council • Sheerness Town Council • Cantiacorum Foundation • Queenborough Fishery trust • Queenborough Town Council • Minster Rotary Club • Eastchurch Parish Council • Kent Community Foundation • Swale Borough Council • Adams Masonic Lodge • Rotary Club Community Chest • Enfinium Ltd • Kent Highways • Sharrocks Insurance • Tesco Blue Token Challenge (where customers voted for their favourite).
“And, of course, an equally heartfelt thank you to every member of the public who has donated to us, whether at one of our performances, through a collection or simply because you wanted to support the band.
“Every pound, every donation and every bit of encouragement has helped us rebuild and keep nearly 80 years of music alive. From every member of the Isle of Sheppey Band - thank you for believing in us.”
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