South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats

Wiltshire Rural Music School move collapses

WRMS has been looking for new premises to allow it to expand and develop its activities, and had hoped to take over part of the old Margaret Stancomb school in Trowbridge. There was support for the project from Wiltshire Council at the political level, including a cabinet resolution to transfer the property to WRMS on a leasehold basis for a nominal fee.

However Wiltshire Council officers were unable to agree parking arrangements. The surrounding area is due to be redeveloped for housing at a future date and officers didn't want to allocate any land to WRMS which might be needed for the housing.

Parking is seen as important because people come to WRMS from far afield, often carrying heavy instruments.

In a letter to Jane Scott following the decision not to proceed under the terms offered WRMS said:

"Our Governing Council discussed at great length the position re the lease of the Margaret Stancomb by WRMS and sadly unanimously concluded that the Business Plan put forward to Wilts. Council would not be viable with only 6 undefined parking places and no guaranteed vehicular access to the hard area within the proposed boundary which at our meeting with you we discussed as possible extra parking space.

As a county organisation we welcome members from Salisbury and Wootton Bassett as well as from BANES and Somerset and a traffic survey last week showed a minimum of 12 cars at any of our existing activities.

Without the extra income we had anticipated in our proposed development we should be at risk of becoming a liability which as trustees we cannot accept and which we are advised against by our solicitor.

Your officials have made it quite clear that they are unable to move on what they see a a side issue but what to us is the key element in ensuring that the building is "fit for purpose".

We do appreciate your help and support over the years and greatly regret that once again our hopes have been dashed."

Wiltshire Council had been worried about the fact that according to examiners' reports there is a decline in the numbers of children taking music exams in Wiltshire which is not found in other areas of the country, and WRMS being hampered due to its current poor accomodation could be a factor in this.

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Meanwhile activities continue in the Gloucester Road premises. Wiltshire Rural Music School is an incorporated charity which, based in the County Town for over 70 years, has served the community of Wiltshire by providing opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and conditions to enjoy live music making, thereby enhancing their quality of life.

For forty years WRMS has operated from its own premises in Trowbridge where its regular sessions, open to all, include players suffering from sight, hearing, and mental impairment, strokes and other afflictions of age and MS. There is also an increasing number of younger people taking up instrumental playing.

The building is historically the base for over 30% of the instrumental teaching in John of Gaunt School, and private teachers can hire rooms.

A bursary scheme gives assistance towards the cost of lessons or instruments and a hire service offers instruments for learners at affordable rates. Over 240 instruments are leased to Wiltshire Council for a very low charge. Subsidised workshops for children are run in schools during holidays and a weekly pre-school music activity session is held.

The Rural Music School keeps a database of music teachers, is the local examination centre for the ABRSM and an advice centre for any music problems.

WRMS operates with a part-time administrator and volunteers, thereby keeping costs low.

The school building is old, in a residential area and cannot be modernised to meet increasing demands and comply with modern legislation.

Fundraising:

The school has attractive notelets on sale at £1.50 per pack. There is a successful book exchange stall, plus a selection of second-hand sheet music for sale.

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ORCHESTRA

Saturdays 2.15 p.m.to around 5.00p.m. Cost £5.00

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Monday Afternoon Choir

2.15pm-3.15pm Led by Jane Lilley - costs just £3 per session.

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NOVICES ORCHESTRA

Saturdays 2.15 p.m.to around 5.00p.m. Cost £5.00

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Novices String Chamber Music

Sundays 10.30-12.30a.m. Cost £5.00

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CHAMBER MUSIC

Saturday 2.15p.m, Cost £5.00

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Minimusicians - Music experience for pre nursery age

Thursday mornings, 9.30 - 10.30 & 10.45 - 11.45. Please book in advance.

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GRADE 5 THEORY CLASSES - call for details.

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For details of other fund-raising events or to make a donation please contact WRMS at 113 Gloucester Rd, Trowbridge BA14 0AE

tel 01225 753175

http://sites.google.com/site/wiltshireruralmusicschool/