An historic local miners' band has been evicted from one of the UK's most haunted buildings as aims to turn it into a wedding venue progress.

The Gresley Colliery Band, a self-proclaimed 'pillar of the Swadlincote community' for 150 years, must leave its home for the past 50 years at Gresley Old Hall.

This comes as the trustees of the hall site, run as a charity, have increased rents in a bid to cover the costs of the building's maintenance and insurance, with an aim to turn the venue into a wedding location.

Local residents have reacted to the news by asking for money raised for improvements at the hall, including the band's room, to be repaid and for Government grants won for the hall through the help of residents and groups based at the hall to be repaid.

The trustees, which run the Gresley Old Hall Community Welfare Centre, have been approached for comment but have not responded as of this article's publication.

The eviction notice was served on the colliery band at the weekend (Saturday, January 20) and follows on the heels of other community groups who also said to have been evicted from the site, due to rising rent charges.

Band members, including children, removed their equipment from the hall on Saturday, from a room which they crowdfunded to help repair.

The band, established in 1850, says it is a "proud part of Swadlincote's cultural fabric, proudly showcasing its mining heritage and local talent, through its music".

It also performs frequently in North West Leicestershire and claims: "Despite efforts to negotiate a more reasonable rent, and requests for an extension to find a new home, the trustees have served an abrupt 28-day eviction notice."

Craig Stevens, spokesperson for the band, said the youngest member is nine years old and the oldest is 80.

He said: "We are disheartened by the trustees' decision to force us out without giving us the opportunity to discuss the matter, or providing us with the time needed to secure an alternative location."

Matt Pope, band manager said: "The band has a packed schedule for this year starting with the Annual Area competition, we also support the council, Rotary Club, South Derbyshire Music Centre, Churches Together and Cherish to mention just a few. 

"Our Youth and Community Band is becoming ever more successful in its own right, with new players looking to join all the time.

"On top of our players in the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army, we even have young players in the Fodens Motorworks Youth Band, Derbyshire County Bands, even the prestigious National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and one of our ex-players has gone on to become Solo Cornet at His Majesty the King's Royal Marines. 

"Without a permanent band room all of this is now in jeopardy."

The band says the eviction comes at a "critical time" as they prepare for the national brass band competitions made famous by the film Brassed Off.

It is asking for suggestions and offers for a new home venue from which to practice.

Cllr Alan Haynes, Derbyshire county councillor for the area and one of its South Derbyshire district councillors, said he was "saddened" by the news.

He said: "We are extremely proud of our heritage and the Gresley Colliery Band are a huge part.  

"I have been taking a keen interest in respect of the situation that the band find themselves in. 

"The councillors have reached out to the trustees of Gresley Old Hall but there has been no response forthcoming.  

"The band is involved in multiple events in South Derbyshire including the Swadlincote light switch on, Swadlincote Carol concert, the Festival of leisure, and many more. 

"It is a part of South Derbyshire and its heritage that should be supported and maintained.  

"On a positive note, I have met with South Derbyshire District Council officers and already SDDC have organised a meeting with the band to secure temporary accommodation so they can practice for the area finals to represent South Derbyshire and hopefully go on to the national championship.  

"SDDC have responded swiftly in supporting the band and I would personally like to thank the officers for their support in this matter."

Documents on the Charity Commission website show the welfare centre had income of £107,000 in the financial year ending in March 2022 with spending totalling more than £133,000.

In the financial year ending March 2021, the welfare centre received £25,000 in Government grants, the commission documents.

The trustees said in February 2023 that the Grade-II listed venue, built in 1556, could become a wedding venue, with a ballroom and several bars with 26 acres of grounds renovated – if business sponsors and donations are received.

They said they were quoted £800,000 for repairs to the outside of the building, which must be insured for up to £7 million, with income from rent barely covering costs.

It has become a frequent site of anti-social behaviour including damage to the building being caused by people throwing bricks, the trustees said.