SIR — On Sunday afternoon, my wife and I decided on a trip into Minehead and went into Blenheim Gardens to listen to the brass band concert.
The Watchet Town Band were playing alongside the West Somerset Band, also from Watchet, and we were treated to some of the highest quality brass band music ever played at the gardens.
Both bands have their own musical directors, and being a former 'bit' player myself years ago, for both bands, I thought the standard of the bands was very high.
We had a very enjoyable couple of hours listening to the various brass band music, ranging from classical music to rousing marches and even some rock and roll, which is very hard to play.
I for one would love to see both bands join together. Over the years both have struggled for members and both borrow players from each other for various concerts.
Watchet and West Somerset is lucky to have such gifted musicians, with two top musical directors. How nice it would be to listen to a top class band, merged from both bands, playing on The Esplanade!
All of the players looked as though they enjoyed making such brilliant music in Minehead last weekend.
Please, for the sake of local brass band music, I say forget past history, forget who ran what, let's get both bands together as one band from Watchet.
I am sure this would be supported by all local people who follow this kind of music and visitors alike.
A concert on the Esplanade would bring in visitors to the town, fill collecting boxes and boost trade to the town traders.
C Bruford,