Golden date in brass band's calendar

Where there's muck, there's brass, so the saying goes.
Blackpool Brass BandBlackpool Brass Band
Blackpool Brass Band

But it’s a golden year for musicians in Blackpool, as they close their season with a concert on Saturday.

Blackpool Brass Band formed in the autumn of 1966, after the Norman Memorial Band closed during that year.

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Dave Hall, band secretary, and the only remaining active, playing member from 1966, said: “When the Norman Memorial Band disbanded, there wasn’t really a band in Blackpool, so we formed what we then called Blackpool Town Band.

“From there it has been through various names, in recognition of our sponsors over the years, but ended up as Blackpool Brass Band.

“Our anniversary was actually in November, but we were that busy that we couldn’t do anything specifically for it, so we’re doing it now.”

The concert at Blackpool Citadel, in Raikes Parade, will feature guest performances from Blackpool Male Voice Choir and Blackpool Brass’s ‘bandlings’ training band.

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Among the musical numbers on the programme, will be the birthday fanfare and the Posthorn Gallop - and Dave promises a ‘cracking night’ for those who attend.

While Dave is the only active member from those who formed Blackpool Brass in 1966, he says the group is as strong as ever.

“It’s a fantastic family,” he said. “Out of our 25 members, 12 of them are married couples who have met through the band.

“We go to competitions and meet bands we’ve met over the years, it’s really a fantastic movement.

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“Competition weekends really make all the hard work in rehearsals worth the effort.”

The ‘bandlings’ are generally school-aged children, but four adult band members play alongside them as support, and the training band is open to players of all ages who want to develop their skills.

“The training band has been going about two years and they’re doing really well - one has already moved on to play with the senior band,” Dave said.

“You would be quite surprised at the level of interest we had in the training band when we went to local schools to recruit. The children have come from all over the town.”

Tickets for Saturday’s concert are available from Dave Hall by calling 07763 639178, with delivery available.

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