IN response to the letter from W D Collier (Puzzled over band’s home), July 22).

May I clarify the situation with regard to the history of Wingates Band and its “home”.

Your correspondent is correct with regard to the scant detail of the band’s history on the website, but the site will shortly undergo a major upgrade and this aspect will be taken into account.

The full history of the band was chronicled in detail in the referenced book, From Bible Class to World Class.

The foundation stone of the second chapel — in Dixon Street, just a stone’s throw from the original chapel in Wingates Square — was laid in 1871, the chapel was dedicated in 1872, and the men of the Bible class there formed a drum and fife band in April, 1873.

It was initially known as Westhoughton Good Templars, but soon re-named Wingates Temperance Band, under which it was to achieve national and international renown.

Following the building of the new chapel, the trustees maintained ownership of the original 1835 chapel in Wingates Square, which continued in use as a day school, Sunday School, and latterday social centre, until additional buildings were erected adjacent to the Dixon Street Chapel for these important activities which complemented the fundamental one of worship.

The band’s archives indicate that, from the outset, its meetings and rehearsals were held in the original chapel and when, in 1896, the chapel trustees declared it surplus to requirements, it was purchased by the band for £60.

The deeds confirming this transaction are a fascinating part of the band’s archive.

By 1930, the original chapel — a “DIY” construction, built by the congregation — was almost a century old, with very basic facilities and in urgent need of upgrade and expansion to meet the bands requirements.

It was decided to demolish the building, and erect a new bandroom. This was done on the same site, but not on precisely the same “footprint”, as a study of old maps indicates the new construction was built at 90 degrees to the siting of the 1835 chapel.

Although there have been several upgrades and alterations over the subsequent 84 years, Wingates Band remains firmly housed in the “1930 construction” in Wingates Square, where it has made its magnificent music from its humble beginnings, and hence the new blue plaque, courtesy of Westhoughton Local History Group is located at the entrance to the Square.

Incidentally, W D Collier refers to the dropping of the word “Temperance” from the band’s name.

This occurred in 1980, as the band urgently needed to seek commercial sponsorship to continue competing with the country’s elite bands and — the ultimate irony — the first corporate support came from Bass Brewers in 1982.

Thereafter, Wingates enjoyed a marvellous period of sponsorship from British Aerospace – not Warburton’s as stated.

David Kaye President and Trustee Wingates Band Chorley Road Blackrod