Bury: Efforts to help create base for band set up by Colonel Eric

Colonel Eric W. Davidson MBE died aged 84 on May 12 last year after suffering with cancer.

During his military service, Col Davidson became president of the Fusilier’s band.

But unfortunately it was disbanded, leaving the area without a place for those with a love of brass music.

Not wanting to see the traditions of the town fade away, Col Davidson set up a new band, The Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

The Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Image: PFPhoto1Ltd)

Over the years it has grown in numbers, now consisting of 40 members.

But lately, the band has had a hard time finding somewhere to practice after their usual rehearsal space in the Drill Hall closed down last year.

Not wanting to leave Bury, the group moved their practice sessions to The Fusilier Museum.

After relocating, the group quickly recognised the untapped potential of the basement.

With the area left untouched for years, they began laying out plans to renovate it into a versatile rehearsal space for their band, which could also serve as a community hub.

A 10km walk has been planned for Sunday, May 21 to raise money for a veteran’s memorial fund that is helping to refurbish the basement of the museum.

The Fusilier Museum (Image: The Fusilier Museum)

Captain Cathie Brooks, who worked with Col Davidson for 20 years, said: “We looked at the basement of the museum and realised it would be perfect for converting into a band room for our group to practice in.

"On the days of the week that we’re not using it, it would be used as a community space for other groups.

“This walk is on the 21st and we’re hoping it will be an annual event.

"The walk won’t only be about raising funds for the basement but also about keeping Eric’s memory alive.

"By staying in Bury, we can ensure all the work and traditions from his time in the Fusiliers are carried on in his memory.

“We’re hoping to raise around £3,000 and hopefully that will keep growing after more walks.”

Colonel Eric Davidson and Captain Cathie Brooks (Image: Dennis Laverick)

The route of the walk will start at the museum at 11am, proceeding up Kirklees Trail and will turn around at Tottington St John’s Cricket Club, returning to the museum at 2pm.

A total of 26 service personnel and families will be attending the march, as well as Col Eric’s close friends and relations.

They are encouraging members of the community to donate to the cause where possible.

Deputy Lieutenant Karan Lee, a trustee at the museum, said: “The basement is an absolutely beautiful room, however, it’s got a lot of unused equipment from when it was the arts and crafts centre that hasn’t been used in years.

“We need about £65,000 for the first phase of development, which will include a kitchen and other facilities.”

Karan Lee (Image: Francis Barker)

Designed by local architect, Joshua Cartwright in 1892, the building was originally built as a technical college for Bury’s middle-class sons in the Victorian era, before becoming an arts and crafts centre in the 1940s.

After being out of use for years, the basement has become a storage area for the council and the museum above it, however, Karan thinks that with some love and affection, it could become a lively gathering place.

The group has also been promised a contribution from the council and the museum to help fund the renovation.

Karan said: “The Drill Hall was home to so many groups around Bury- judo groups, Asian women’s groups, veterans groups and the blind society.

"All the charities used it.

"We want our project to be for all community groups across Bury because we’re void of them.

"Too many charities are going to the wall.

"There is just such an opportunity here in the basement.”

The basement under The Fusilier Museum that will be converted into a community space (Image: Francis Barker)

Karan is looking to raise money through donations because she wants to ensure it can be used by any community group in Bury, free of charge.

The renovations plan to start in October and aim to open in the spring, 2024.

Marguerite Heywood, who runs the Bury Art Collective, said: “I’ve been in Bury for 40 years, and we’ve never been able to find a public space that doesn’t charge you.

"That’s why we’ve always used pubs.

“We don’t have money. We’ve been running successfully for about 13 years, but recently we’ve fallen under the radar a bit.

"Very occasionally we sell a painting, but effectively, we exist with no income.

“Something like this community space would be brilliant for us, we could get together and spread our workshops to a much wider audience."

The past few decades have seen a decline in community spaces that is unrivalled in recent history.

The lasting impact of the pandemic has only quickened the pace at which our much-loved communal areas are being boarded up.

The basement of the museum (Image: Francis Barker)

In a time where social interaction has become increasingly valuable, community leaders such as Col Davidson, Capt Brooks, and Dept Lt. Karan Lee play a vital role in bringing people together.

If you want to donate towards the basement, you can click here to visit the crowdfunding page.

If you cannot make this event but would like to see the band in action, they are playing a concert in Col Davidson’s honour in June in Accrington.