Sporting chance for band club

Photo: ANTHONY MILLER

PICTURED at the opening are (front, from the left) musical director Alan Widdop, his wife, Ann, principal cornet player Tom Gibb, tuba player Brian Gledhill, chairman John Ward, Richard Evans, North-West Regional Brass Band Association chairman Peter Bates, trombone player Mike Kowalski and committee member Brenda Wren.

THERE was plenty to celebrate as Uppermill Band Club opened a new music room and marked its 30th anniversary.

For the renowned musicians have also soared up the world rankings and have had a double promotion following several contest triumphs.

The band has teamed up with Saddleworth Cricket, Bowling and Tennis Club, based at Well-i-hole Road, Greenfield, to refurbish an old tennis pavilion and transform it into a band room.

The band has used prize money to pay for a lot of the materials and after 18 months of work the facility is now fully equipped for use.

It was in March, 1979, that the band first formed, and the official opening of the room was the perfect occasion to mark the anniversary.

In attendance were Richard Evans, known worldwide as one of the top musical directors and adjudicators, and Peter Bates, chairman of the North-West Regional Brass Band Association.

Mr Evans cut the ribbon to declare the room open and the pair gave speeches during a buffet and party. Past and present players and committee members were awarded mementoes to mark the anniversary.

The band has now been promoted to the second section of the North-West counties, after getting promoted to the third section of the national leagues earlier this year.

The promotions follow the band getting to three national finals in the past five years and a string of successes so far this year.

In March, it finished fourth out of 21 bands at the North-West Area Championships in Blackpool, in April it won a Holme Valley contest in Holmfirth — a record total of six first place wins at this contest — and came second in Tameside and in June won at the Buxton Brass Band Festival.

The band has since checked its ranking to discover it is now rated 165th in the world — up from 192.

Chairman John Ward said: “We’re absolutely delighted. The win at the Buxton Festival was the highest prize in our history. It’s just an outstanding start to our life in the third section.

“The band room opening was excellent. We’ve had lots of compliments about the evening.”

The band rehearses at the new facility each Monday and Wednesday evening.