Band of the Grenadier Guards set for Saddleworth appearance

Grenadier Guards

Thirty five members of the elite band including wind, brass  and percussion players under their director of music, Major Michael Smith, will spend the day in Uppermill.

The village will be in lockdown with High Street closed to all vehicles between  10:30 – 11:30 am from Brownhills Viaduct at Dobcross New Road to Chapel Road.

It has taken two years of meticulous planning by Saddleworth School music department,  to give  villagers and visitors  a unique  opportunity to see the legendary band perform live at two special performances.

Weather permitting,  the band will process out of Court Street just before 11am and, after parading on the High Street,  they will perform  a short, free  outdoor concert on King George V  playing  fields.

All side roads onto the High Street between these two points will also be closed with no access to the High Street itself.

In the evening, the school’s music department is hosting a sellout free celebration concert at 7pm in Uppermill Civic Hall  featuring  the school brass band  and the University of Salford Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

And in an extended second half, the guards will entertain and although  tickets for the concert  have gone, organisers  say in the event of any tickets bring returned,  please email: g.beckwith@saddleworthschool.org - to be placed on the rapidly growing waiting list.

During Friday afternoon,  musicians from the Grenadier Guards and student conductors from the University of Salford will host private instrumental performance workshops with brass, woodwind and percussion students from Saddleworth School.

Garrath (correct) Beckwith, Curriculum Leader of music at Saddleworth School,  said: “Everyone is in a high note in readiness fo the band’s arrival.

“I cannot wait for our students to work with these wonderfully inspiring professional musicians,” he declared.

“Here’s hoping  as many local residents as possible support this special event which is for the people of Saddleworth.

“I am very fortunate to have some great friends in fantastic musical ensembles across the globe.

“The majority of these friends have the same musical outlook where we aim to inspire and present opportunities to young people wherever possible.”

Sergeant Gavin Hall of the Grenadiers guards  band who hails from nearby Meltham,   said: “We are very much looking forward to appearing as guests of Saddleworth School and working alongside their students.  

“This event marks a truly historic first for the band who will march along the hallowed streets of Uppermill.”

Programme :

FRIDAY 5TH 

• 11am - 12noon : 
Grenadier Guards parade in Uppermill village followed by an outdoor performance in Uppermill Park (weather permitting).
FREE - outdoor event - everyone welcome

• 7:00pm : 
Celebration Concert: Saddleworth School Brass Band, University of Salford Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Band of the Grenadier Guards
Uppermill Civic Hall