Ottery band given its marching orders from town hall

Ottery’s town band has been given its marching orders over failing to agree to a tenancy agreement at the old town hall.

Ottery St Mary Silver Band has been using the ‘Band Room’ at the hall for many years, but when it came to renewing things hit a bum note.

The previous agreement ran out on September 30, so the town council, who still own the building, has been forced to evict the band.

At Monday’s meeting councillors agreed the decision was regrettable but their hand had been forced by the band’s lack of response.

They initially said they should write to the silver band and tell them if they don’t respond by a certain date then they will be evicted.

But when the clerk informed them a letter sent back in March confirmed to the band if no agreement was made by September 30 the tenancy would be terminated, they agreed to give them 14 days notice to remove their possessions.

Mayor Glyn Dobson said a draft lease agreement had been sent to Ottery St Mary Silver Band weeks ago, charging the musicians �175 a year to rent the room.

It had been sent back with some minor amendments about the upkeep of the decoration, but since then Ottery town council have not heard anything from them.

The Mayor added: “They’re an Ottery organisation and we don’t want to be hard on them but we have no choice.”

Councillor Paul Carter said: “It’s disappointing for three pounds a week they couldn’t agree to it.”