Brass band bursary

The Amersham Band, a community brass band in the Chiltern District, received £10,000 towards setting up a Brass Roots academy which would provide group and individual tuition for local residents. They have also been awarded £1,000 bursary to support Paradigm residents with travel or membership costs.

“We were delighted to find out about the grant from Paradigm, it’s our first major grant since we started our fundraising campaign at the end of May” said band chairman Fred Harrison.

The band, which plays at community events and currently has 75 members, wants to increase membership to 150 – and there is also a longer-term plan to move to new premises in the centre of Amersham.

“We want to attract more young people as well as older and less mobile people and our current out of town location is too small and difficult for people to get to.

“This grant from Paradigm will help us get the academy up and running, we will be able to put on more events and concerts to entertain the local community” added Mr Harrison.

Membership of the new Brass Roots group for beginners costs £40 per term but Paradigm residents will be able to join for just £10.

The Paradigm Foundation, based in Wooburn Green, supports Paradigm Housing Group residents and the communities in which they live. Launched in July 2013, the charity donated £250,000 during its first financial year.

Chair of the Foundation Mike Gahagan, says: “This is a fantastic project, providing educational activities for people of all ages and abilities. We’re delighted to support it and hope it goes from strength to strength.”