Brass Neck

It would appear that Lanchester Brass Band has been prevented from marching with the restored Lanchester banner at this year’s Durham Miners’ Gala.

The band has gone to great lengths to build itself up in anticipation of this event, and will in fact be attending. 

Is it to march with someone else’s banner on Lanchester’s big day? That would be as absurd as it would hurtful.

There is also some suggestion that this decision has been made outside Lanchester. That would be wholly unacceptable.

Pat Glass MP, who has taken such a leading role in seeking to save the Gala, is a Lanchester resident, a former Lanchester Parish Councillor, and married to a serving Lanchester Parish Councillor.

The banner is displayed prominently on the Parish Council’s website, and perhaps now, or at any rate after the Gala, during the Parish Council’s meetings.

Therefore, it is quite obviously, and rightly, regarded as an integral and important part of the life of the community in and of Lanchester.

Lanchester Brass Band is also an integral and important part of the life of the community in and of Lanchester.

It is very much to be hoped that this situation will be able to be resolved without delay.