A BAND that has staged summer concerts at the same venue for 27 years has been sent a letter accusing it of trespassing.

Barnard Castle band has performed on Scar Top in the town since 1974, supported by an annual donation from the town council.

But on one occasion last summer, members found they were double-booked with an evangelical gospel group with which they came to a gentleman's agreement to play a slot each.

The matter was discussed at the town council meeting on Monday after members agreed to continue with a donation to the band in view of its playing at the annual Remembrance Day parade and the meet. The band claimed no money from the council last year because it had not fulfilled its requirements.

Coun John Yarker said the band had received a letter from Teesdale District Council's solicitor, Miss Elaine Minnighan, saying it was trespassing.

He told the D&S Times later that he thought it was diabolical as the band were ambassadors for the town.

"I am sure if they apply to the council they will get permission to hold the concerts, but if that is so, why write a letter about trespassing?"

Coun Eric Fell, a former chief executive of the district council, said the town band had been playing on Scar Top for 27 years. "It might be worth asking whether other organisations using it have received similar letters," he said.

Miss Minnighan defended her letter, a copy of which she showed to the D&S Times, saying it was not confrontational. The land was owned by Teesdale council and, after the double booking incident, she had merely written to the band to confirm that it must ask for permission to perform.

She knew there had been an agreement that the band played on Scar Top and she had no problem with that. But the council, as owners of the land, needed to be kept informed of the events taking place there for insurance purposes and to avoid such things as the overbooking that had occurred.

"All we are asking for is to be kept informed so we don't end up with a situation where the right hand does not know what the left is doing. I have sounded out councillors, who have said they will willingly give permission if asked."

Miss Minnighan pointed out that the council gave permission to many people to hold events on Scar Top, making no charge for charity events. Her original letter had contained the word trespass, which was a legal term, but the tone of her letter had been very reasonable.

"If the band wishes to play on Scar Top all they need to do is write to us with the dates," she said.

Continued on page 3.