THE country’s only surviving methodist band has been “left homeless” after its efforts to register its previous base as an asset of community value failed.

Boxted Methodist Silver Band, which was first formed in 1896, had been based at the School Room, in the grounds of the former Boxted Methodist Church.

The church held its last service in June last year.

Sir Bob Russell, the band’s chairman, said the band would not be able to raise the £145,000 necessary to register the building as an asset of community value.

Sir Bob said the band is in talks with Boxted Parish Council over using the village hall as a base, adding he is determined to keep the group anchored in the village.

He also branded the treatment of the band by Colchester Methodist Circuit, responsible for the sale of the church, as “appalling”.

He added: “In 1907, those who worshipped at the Chapel raised money to build the Boxted Methodist School Room on an adjacent site – it was the home of the band until last week.

“Now the band has to find temporary storage for its equipment.”

“Although both the Chapel and School Room had been funded entirely by past generations of Boxted residents, not a penny of the near £400,000 raised from the sales is to be spent in Boxted for the benefit of today’s residents.”

The Rev Alan Jenkins, circuit superintendent, said the circuit is still doing all it can to support the continuation of the band.

“Each circuit is responsible for the outreach, pastoral work, and mission of the Methodist Church locally,” he said.

“That requires finance. The Methodist Church does not possess a bottomless pit of money into which it can dip, and therefore, like all charities, it is absolutely necessary, and is actually good stewardship, to realise assets which are no longer viable to fund projects elsewhere in the circuit and nationally.

“When such assets are sold, the funds realised are not held locally, but nationally, for the benefit of the whole church In the circuit’s name. The circuit may then apply to the Connexion to use some or all of those funds so held for the church’s mission locally.”

He said the funds from the sale of West Bergholt, Boxted and, eventually, Mile End Methodist Churches would be put towards the building or purchasing of a new church at the new Chesterwell estate, in north Colchester.

“When such assets are sold, the funds released are not held locally, but nationally, for the benefit of the whole church in the circuit’s name,” he said.

“The circuit may then apply to the Connexion to use some or all of those funds so held for the church’s mission locally.”

“The circuit has done, and is doing, all it can to help the band insofar as it is legally allowed to do.

He added: “In part to accommodate the band’s desire to retain the School Room, we separated the elements of the assets into three plots rather than selling the whole site, and supported the decision to apply for the designation of the School Room as being an asset of community value.

“We agreed the band should continue to use the School Room, rent free, until the building is sold – although the band does shoulder the responsibility for utility charges and insurance for their equipment – and we will continue to honour that pledge.”

“We have offered to explore the possibility of accommodating the band by relocation in one of the seven other methodist churches in the circuit, under the same terms by which they occupy the Boxted School Room.”