The Diggle Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (03 October 2021)

First concert at Boarshurst since March 2020 impresses audience with bona fide classics for all the family

Yesterday’s first concert at Boarshurst Band Club since the first lockdown was most entertaining and cathartic in equal measure. In one respect, it was great to see a return to normality at The Brass Band Mecca of the North. On the other hand, it made us slightly bleary eyed over the friends we have lost in the brass band movement since the pandemic began.

Whitworth Vale and Healey Band, 16 March 2020: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

Another fine concert with Alan Widdop behind the podium

In spite of the spectre of the Coronavirus, Whitworth Vale and Healey Band chose to fulfil their concert at Boarshurst Band Club last night. For the dedicated live audience, and several more that watched the live stream, it was a most enjoyable concert.

Stockport Silver Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 08 March 2020

Joyous Boarshurst return for Jim Hunter and Co. makes for another captivating programme

With the live and streamed audience marked safe from stultifying Sunday night entertainment and rolling news, Stockport Silver Band returned to Boarshurst Band Club with another fantastic concert. A year into their tenure at Kimberley Street Day Centre, Shaw Heath, last night’s concert showed a band whose stance and performance was solid. One with improved confidence and bounce.

Thornton-Cleveleys Brass Band, 02 February 2020: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

A neat concert with a good mix of old favourites and modern classics

Over the last week, the village of Thornton and its neighbouring town has been in the news. That being the small matter of a railway line which saw its last passengers in 1970 and its last freight train in 1999. If successful, trains could return to Fleetwood town centre for the first time since 1966.

Back in 1966, a band that was formed in the wake of Thornton-Cleveleys Silver Band’s demise had begun to find its feet. They had had entered the Golborne Contest the previous year in the Section C and Section D competitions. By 1999, when the last trains ran to Burn Naze ICI works, Thornton-Cleveleys Brass Band started picking up respectable results in the NWABBA contests. Two years later, they would become a Third Section band.

Vernon Building Society (Poynton) Brass Band, 26 January 2020: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

Accessible programme and four fabulous solos make for another delightful concert

The second concert of Boarshurst Band Club’s 2020 season of Sunday Brass Nights was another joy to behold after Vernon Building Society (Poynton) Brass Band’s performance. Throughout each concert, one of the world’s oldest brass bands have never failed to entertain nor captivate the audience. Last night’s soiree at the Brass Banding Home of Legends was no exception.

Charity Brass ’19, Boarshurst Band Club, 29 December 2019

How a fundraising concert for the British Heart Foundation ended Boarshurst Band Club’s 2019 season in style

In about three years from now, the end-of-year charity concert at Boarshurst Band Club could well be a regular fixture. For the second year running, a scratch band set up for charitable endeavour ended the concert season in style. As with the Friends of Music For Youth Band, this ‘scratch band’ was a cut above the rest.

Boarshurst Silver Band, 22 December 2019: Here’s How Christmas Concerts Should Be Done

A meaty programme and a pantomime: two hours of fun for all the family

For some people, Christmas isn’t Christmas till a big man with a long white beard heads their way. The soundtrack to their Christmas might include Mariah Carey or Peter Graham as well as traditional favourites like Jingle Bells and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. In many cases a brass band completes the picture, maybe a pantomime.

Shepherd Group Youth Brass: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 08 December 2019

Hard working York youth band put on fantastic show

Hours before they came to Boarshurst Band Club, the Shepherd Group Youth Band held a concert in Selby Abbey. Courtesy of one of York Pullman’s finest coaches, they were on the M62 motorway whilst yours truly was enjoying his Sunday Dinner.

Strata Brass: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 01 December 2019

Superb concert with great solo performances and a Christmas set with a difference

In the words of their mercurial Musical Director Jonathan Bates, it has been quite a while since Strata Brass Band ever had a concert at Boarshurst Band Club. The last time they performed there, they were probably known as Hoyland Town Band. As for Jonathan Bates, he is known for his arranging skills and his role on Principal Horn with Foden’s Band. In many cases, absence makes the heart grow fonder – and Strata Brass’ latest concert was no exception.

St. John’s Band (Mossley): Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 24 November 2019

Another superb concert from Paul Towle and Co.

Was it really thirteen months ago since Paul Towle made his début as Musical Director for St. John’s Band (Mossley)? During his first visit as M.D., the Roughtown band were drafted in at short notice to replace Stalybridge Old Band. Last October’s concert was a cracking one. Could he do it again in late November?