ADDINGHAM Civic Society's latest Blue Plaque was unveiled on Saturday on a building known as the Band ‘Ole or ‘Oil.

Built around 1686 on land formerly owned by the overseers of the poor and now Addingham Parish Council, it was the first ‘Council House’ for the homeless and destitute of Addingham. Up until comparatively recently the original house was nothing more than a pile of stone and rubble until two Addingham men Peter Hindle and Doug Tetley decided that an essential part of the village’s history could not be lost forever. An additional room was built in the 19th Century but even that required almost total demolition before the task of rebuilding could get underway. It was this room where the Addingham Brass Band would rehearse. The Parish Council agreed to finance the materials with Peter and Doug donating their time free of charge.

Jim Robinson, chairman of the Society said: "The end result is wonderful and there cannot be a more worthy recipient of one of our prestigious Blue Plaques."

The unveiling was undertaken by Addingham's MP Kris Hopkins who said: "I was delighted to be asked to unveil the Blue Plaque, indeed the sixth plaque for Addingham. It is always a pleasure to join with residents and it is a testament to the strength of the community in Addingham that they are able to hold such a ceremony as this. I pay tribute to the time and work that Peter and Doug have put into this project and appreciate that the support of the Parish Council has been invaluable in making this happen.”

The location of the Band 'Ole is: from the Craven Heifer proceed up Silsden Road for only a short distance and the building is on the left, set back and down from the road.

To coincide with the unveiling ceremony the library has a visual display of the history and background to the Band ‘Ole, charting the progress of the rebuilding and all the work entailed.