Old as brass

The Westwood Over-50s Band could well be the world’s oldest band led by conductor Mike Donnelly (75)

AN OLDHAM brass band has done its maths and reckons it night be the oldest and most experienced group in the world.

The Westwood Over-50s Band decided to tot up the ages of the players and the total number of years they have been playing an instrument.

The combined age of the 30 members is 2,229 years - and they boast a staggering 1,605 years of playing time between them.

The average age of band members is 74.3 years, the average playing time 53.5 years. The band’s oldest player is 84 and has been playing in various bands for more than 70 years.

Band member Trevor Hughes is considering contacting Guinness World Records to see if they are the world’s most experienced and oldest brass band.

Mr Hughes, said: “I knew our players had a lot of experience but I didn’t expect it to be quite that high.”

The international 4 Bars Rest brass band website is displaying the details and asking if any band can do better.

The Westwood band was formed in 1995 after founder member Patrick Ward, now 83, decided to gather a few pals for a Tuesday afternoon social.

The band is often booked to perform - particularly at daytime events, because most members are retired