'Not interested' - South Shields' last pit brass band reveals funding fight for survival
Westoe Brass band have opened up about their issues obtaining funding.
South Shields’ only brass band is said it is struggling for funding options after years of success.
It comes as more than £226 million was spent by the Government and public bodies in Arts Council grants on opera from 2022 to 2025, while just £31.5 million went to brass bands in the same period according to figures from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
While there were once four brass bands in the town, the only group remaining have explained the issues with getting funding.
“We’re a former colliery band,” explains Ann Stone who performs in Westoe Brass Band and used to work as a music teacher in South Shields.
“We had a levy from the pit and had good income, obviously the pit closed and since then we’ve been completely self supporting” added Stone, who was the band’s contest secretary.
‘They’re not interested in repairs or new instruments’
Issues come from the cost of maintaining and replacing instruments, which can cost thousands. One of the group’s tubas currently needs to be serviced at a cost of £450.
Speaking about options available from Brass Band England, the body which oversees bands across the country, Stone said: “You need to put in bids but they’re not interested in things like repairs or buying new instruments.
“If you want to apply for a grant you need to do some sort of project with maybe an artist in residence and after a nine month project you get that money.”
This may include building new compositions or forming youth bands.
“£1,000 to set up a junior band just isn’t possible” adds Stone. “If you want a full set of brass band instruments you’re talking £100,000 for cheap student models.
‘We need to earn every penny we can get’
Only two of the 25 member group are retired, meaning time is also limited.
She said: “In the past we’ve put in bids, but the amount of hoops you have to jump through - you can’t jump through because everyone works full time.
“We rely on the local community. Every penny we get we need to earn.”
This includes four jobs with South Tyneside Council each year in addition to paid shows.