Westoe Brass Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (05 February 2023)

Classy performance by South Tyneside band in swan song for musical director

All was happy in the Chew valley last night as Westoe Brass Band gave its live and streamed audience another great concert from Boarshurst Band Club. For the regulars who braved the cold conditions on foot, the warmest of receptions could be found, to the tunes of Cole Porter, Paul Lovatt-Cooper and Lionel Richie to name a few.

Vernon Building Society (Poynton) Brass Band, 29 January 2023: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

Accessible programme and a trio of tremendous solos open new season in style

Vernon Building Society (Poynton) Brass Band opened 2023 in style at Boarshurst Band Club with an easy going and likeable concert on Sunday. Throughout each concert, one of the world’s oldest brass bands have never failed to entertain nor captivate the audience.

Westoe Brass Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (23 January 2022)

Welcome return to Boarshurst for North Eastern band with well presented concert

Absence they say makes the heart grow fonder. Whether it’s two minutes away from your dog or two years away from your last concert, this maxim applied to Westoe Brass Band at the Boarshurst Band Club. They opened this year’s season of concerts with a programme that was traditional, yet had a nod to the band’s history.

Book Review: British Football’s Greatest Grounds

Not only a coffee table book for groundhoppers; a must for any football fan

• Title: British Football’s Greatest Grounds: One Hundred Must-See Football Venues;
• Author: Mike Bayly;
• Photography: various contributors including David Bauckman, Paul Paxford, Colin McPherson, Andy Nunn, Stuart Tree, Ben Webster,
• Publisher: Pitch Publishing Limited (2020);
• Recommended Selling Price: £30.00 (hardback).

At this moment in time, you may be missing your football fix if you often go out to see your favourite team. Due to the lockdown, only Elite League football teams (National Leagues North and South upwards) can continue their season. In what is now known as The Trident Leagues (Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian leagues), league football has been suspended till further notice. Likewise with its regional feeder leagues.

Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 26. Mr Blue Sky

ELO’s most famous work in brass band form

• Piece: Mr Blue Sky;
• Composer: Jeff Lynne;
• Arranger: Christopher Wormald.

“More…” You want more… For this year’s Brass Banding Advent Calendar, we finish off our virtual concert with an ELO song from 1977. One that is as well known by toddlers as it is with grandparents and great grandparents.

Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 25. Happy

A Merry Christmas to you all with a modern day classic

• Piece: Happy;
• Composers: Pharrell Williams;
• Arranger: Michael Pilley.

Well, you have shouted and clapped loud enough for the encore set. Let’s start with a modern-day classic, one that has increased in popularity over recent years.

Tameside’s Christmas and New Year Bus Service Updates (2020)

Details of Christmas and New Year’s Day bus services in Tameside and surrounding area for 2020 – 2021

Due to that COVID-19 thingy, we have left this year’s digest a bit later than usual on East of the M60. This was to allow for any recent changes to the Tier system and to discourage non-essential travel. (If you need to go shopping or take exercise in the yuletide season, please use your buses, trams and trains responsibly).

For the yuletide period, here’s what we are about to receive.

Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 24. An American Trilogy

Sorry folks, I couldn’t find any brass band pieces related to elves…

• Piece: An American Trilogy;
• Composers: Various (arranged by Mickey Newbury);
• Arranger: Goff Richards.

We have come to the last door of our Brass Banding Goes Pop Advent Calendar. We thought it was rude not to have an Elvis Presley classic in our virtual concert, either. Apart from that, we understood there was a need to cover another Welsh band besides The Cory Band.

Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 23. Don’t Stop Me Now

The ultimate feel good song in brass band form

• Piece: Don’t Stop Me Now;
• Composer: Freddie Mercury;
• Arranger: Philip Harper.

What can we say other than “a Happy Christmas Eve Eve to you all”? Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now encapsulates excitement in a little under three minutes. From the 1978 LP Jazz, it has pure pop sensitivities whilst retaining the Queen sound. Despite this, Brian May had little love for the song, because he felt it eulogised Freddie’s hedonistic lifestyle.

Brass Banding Goes Pop: EM60’s 2020 Advent Calendar: 22. Music

John Miles’ best known chart single, another concert classic

• Piece: Music;
• Composer: John Miles;
• Arranger: Derek Broadbent.

Music, so to misquote the Jarrow-born composer of the said song, is our first love and our last love. On East of the M60, we have written about its future and its past in some way, shape or form. Live or recorded.