A VILLAGE brass band is facing a cash crisis after it lost its main source of income.

Kidlington Concert Brass fears it could have to cut performances after losing the tenant for lucrative car parking spaces off High Street which it rents out to St John Ambulance for £10,000 a year.

The charity – which uses the spaces by the band’s practice hall for people on training courses at its nearby centre – has pulled out over cash concerns.

Now the 26-member band – which dates back more than 100 years – is seeking a new customer.

Chairman Dave Catling said: “It leaves a massive hole in our finances that has effectively kept the band going for the last 10 years.

“We need to replace them PDQ.”

The cash is vital for travel expenses like recent shows in Stevenage, Loughborough and Scarborough, he said.

It also covers conductor costs for traditional events like the Christmas concert at St Mary the Virgin Church, the festive lights switch-on and the Remembrance Day event in Exeter Hall.

Mr Catling said it would be “impossible for the band to survive on the proceeds of local concerts and national contest wins”.

Mr Caitling said bands it competes with have substantial corporate backing and it would need new funding very quickly to continue competing.

The band has offered to consider changing its name to reflect any new sponsorship.

Following a regional competition win in March, the band has been promoted to the top championship section from January and will compete in the 1st Sectional National Finals at Cheltenham on September 22.

Cornet player and accountant Tom James said: “The loss of money from the rental of the car park puts the band at risk of ceasing to exist.”

Significant running costs include the hall, instrument maintenance, sheet music, travel to shows and fees for a musical director.

Tuba player John Underwood said: “If we can’t find an alternative revenue stream we are going to have to tighten our belts.

“It could influence the jobs we can take on.”

Shows like a performance at Marston’s Victoria Arms – for which it charges no fee – could be at risk, he said.

St John Ambulance spokesman Becky Trotman said: “It is important that we make the best possible use of our charitable funds and spending a considerable amount of those funds in renting car parking spaces is no longer an option for us.

  • For information visit kidlingtonconcertbrass.org.uk or call Mr Catling on 07900 464208.