IT WAS time to celebrate as Dorchester's much-loved Durnovaria Silver Band held its inaugural concert in its new home.

The band has been delighting audiences in the county town for 70 years but faced an uncertain future for a period before securing a new permanent home at the former Fordington Methodist Church.

The Kings Road venue has now been renamed the Durnovaria Band Hall and a special concert was held to acknowledge and thank all those from the local community who has contributed towards the band's appeal for funds to enable it to purchase the redundant church as its new permanent home.

A total of more than £62,000 was raised in personal donations and loans, covering almost half of the eventual inclusive cost.

Guests on the night included chairman of West Dorset District Council Cllr Peter Shorland and Mayor of Dorchester Cllr Robin Potter, both accompanied by their wives.

The district and town councils had both awarded grants of £5,000 toward the appeal.

Further substantial grants were provided by the Arts Council England and National Lottery.

The guests were welcomed by president of the Durnovaria Silver Band Leslie Phillips before chairman Colin Gannaway introduced the band and its musical director, Elizabeth Carter.

Mr Gannaway began by recounting something of the former Fordington Methodist Church’s history since its founding in 1872.

He particularly thanked the Reverend Stephanie Jenner, who attended, and the church council for looking kindly on the attempts of the band to purchase the building.

The concert was preceded by the playing of the National Anthem, leading immediately into the band’s customary march, Trailblaze.

This was followed by Fordington Green, a piece composed especially for the occasion by Mrs Carter.

The band’s repertoire contains examples of several genres of music including classical, religious, film, pop, traditional military and brass band, and examples of each one were included in the concert.

This concluded with Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Edward Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory and the traditional The Farmer’s Boy – a personal favourite of the band’s president.

On conclusion, Cllr Shorland spoke on behalf of all present to thank the band for an excellent concert and complimented all involved in procuring the Durnovaria Band Hall for the benefit of the inhabitants of Dorchester and the surrounding area.