One of the longest running musical groups in the north-east has unveiled plans to renovate its dated and damaged practice hall.
Turriff Silver Band, which was founded in 1911, was awarded £4,000 by Aberdeenshire Council in March to help transform its base in the town’s Manse Gardens.
Now a planning application has been submitted to the local authority by Turriff-based firm James G Ironside Ltd.
It sets out proposals for a new roof and other alterations to help bring the property, which was built in the 1960s, up to scratch.
Last night, Frank Cranna, the band’s conductor and treasurer, said the planning bid took members a step closer to realising their goal.
“Over the years the hall has deteriorated slowly, so we decided it was time to upgrade it,” he said.
“The roof is the biggest problem, but while we’re doing that we’ll do one or two other things as well – we need new toilet facilities, and minor adjustments to the band hall.
“It’s another step forward, but we’ll have to see if it passes and that all takes time.”
Mr Cranna said the council grant would only stretch so far and band members were looking to other sources of funding in order to bring the building fully up to scratch.
“The local community is very supportive of any fundraising events we have, and we’re grateful for that, but we’re not very far along the road as yet,” he said.
“We have some fundraising evens coming up, and we have one or two meetings with other bodies that may help along with funding as well.
“It’s being suggested that it will cost about £70,000 in total. Once you’re talking about new roofs, it gets expensive.”