A FOREST Journal appeal to find a new home for the Forest's highest ranking brass band has hit the right notes in the community.

Just days after the launching the plea, Hyde Band has found a new place to play.

But until the band have firmly bedded into their new digs, they are keeping tight-lipped about the location - although we know it is on the outskirts on Fordingbridge.

Secretary Susan Bennett said: "Following the appeal in the Forest Journal two weeks ago, Hyde Band would like to thank all those members of the local community who have suggested or offered places that the band could use as a base for rehearsal and storage of its instruments, uniforms and music library.

"My phone and email was red hot with offers of help and ideas for a potential new home, and a suitable venue near Fordingbridge has now been arranged."

With 30 members of Hyde Band and about 20 in its Training Band, along with large instruments, uniforms and music, they take up a lot of room.

And after hopping from one rehearsal room to another, the band are pleased they have a new home, at least for the moment.

For the last 20 years Hyde Band, which was formed 120 years ago, has been using temporary bases, most recently the upper room at Elliots in Fordingbridge.

Just five years ago, the band was given a patch of land in South Gorley.

But their dreams of building a single-storey practice room on the concrete footings from the wartime army buildings, were shattered after the group was advised by the planning authority that it would be unlikely to get planning permission.

Chairman Martin Easterbrook said: "We are enormously grateful for all the offers of help, and especially to Mike and Carol Jackson for the use of the current space in Fordingbridge, which gives us an ideal rehearsal room.

"However, this is on a short term basis, and we are still seeking a building we can call our own. Fordingbridge deserves a designated band room for its own band, which for many years has supported local charities and churches through its concerts.

"We can only hope that at some point in the near future the New Forest Planning Authority will be able to look at our Planning Application again in a more favourable light."

Hyde band will be playing at the Romsey Show on September 10, the Fireworks Concert in Downton on September 16 and at Sandle Manor School on September 24 for Last Night of the Proms.

For ticket details contact secretary@hydeband.co.uk or call 01425 654020.