THE mayor of Ross-on-Wye Town Council is to become the president of Ross Town Band, members have decided.

At Ross Town Council’s recent meeting members were told that the Ross Town Band has been in existence for over 100 years and hopes to continue to play its part in important events and social activities in the area.

The committee behind the band are enthusiastic and dedicated to supporting local events taking place in the town and it proposes that the mayor, upon taking up the civic office considers becoming its president during their time in the post.

The band explained that this would be recognised formally and would be considered an amenity in Ross and it would be a honour for the musicians.

The members were told that it would commit the mayor to attend functions, as they currently do, and participate when available at committee meetings.

The committee stated that it is hoped that this initiative would also attract new musicians to join the band, both the young and those older as part of the overall awareness in increasing the profile of the band in the local area.

Mayor Cllr Bev Pope said that she would be honoured to serve as president as would mayors of the town in future.

Former mayor, Cllr Louis Stark said that holding such a civic role, it should be more of a prominent position within Ross itself and added: “This is an excellent start to such a proposal.”

Members voted unanimously for the mayor to be president of Ross Town Band. Cllr Pope is expected to take up the position in November.