The band had to dodge the showers of heavy rain last weekend to put on their concert at Happy Mount Park, Morecambe.

Considering the rather wet patch of weather, last Sunday proved to be a normal rainy West Riding day, at least in the early morning when the coach departed from Wilsden. However, travelling in style, the band members, family and friends set off for the sea side town aboard the luxury coach, along with all the usual paraphernalia that accompanies a brass band on an away job.

With the coach's windscreen wipers on double speed, it didn't bode well, but on arrival in Morecambe, thigns looked good with blue sky and sun.

Thankfully, it tutned out a beautiful afternoon and a very appreciative audience enjoyed a diverse programme of well played music.

Colin of the band wished to give a big thank you to all players and supporters with the band on that day, including the driver, John.

Everyone enjoyed a fish and chip meal in a local restaurant before coming home to a rather unusually sunny Wilsden. It was a great day of music making, despite the weather!

Members of the band took full advantage of what was perhaps the only fine Sunday morning of the Summer, donned full uniform and, complete with instruments, ventured outside the band room for an updated band photograph, the first in almost 10 years.

The Wilsden Band are proud to release a series of concert dates for 2008.

The band will be playing a total of 21 engagements over the course of the year, with more to be added as booked. To see a full list of engagements, please take a look at our Concerts Page.

Tickets for our Annual Spring Concert on Saturday, 12th April at Wilsden Village Hall are available now from Derek Dyson. Please telephone 01535 272216 to book yours now.

Christmas 2007 was a good time for the Band, good jobs and good earnings. However Christmas also left us a little saddened with the retirement of long time player Helen Blowes.

Helen has been on ‘the back row’ for over 20 years, a regular attendee and nice person at both rehearsals and ‘jobs’, even allowing for bringing up two small children.  

For a good number of years, not quite as long as 20+, Helen has also held another important position with the Band – that of Treasurer. As many people will know, a management position in a brass band is not an easy task. Looking after the money  needs a lot of chasing, performance  fees and the weekly ‘subs.’, finding a 2^nd signature for an urgent cheque, plus a good banking system, balancing of the books, and coping with all the other little ‘aggravations’ connected with being ‘Treasurer’. 

Helen, you will be missed for all your skills! Don’t forget us completely. You know where we are on Sunday mornings. Please call in and ‘adjudicate’. We may even let you count the ‘subs’ and ‘canteen’, chance you have withdrawal symptoms. 

A Happy New Year to all friends and followers of the Wilsden Band. We hope you all experienced a Merry Christmas and a rather joyous New Year. Many would agree that 2007 has been a great year for the band. We're aiming to make 2008 even better! So watch this space!!

However, we are sorry to lose one of our long serving players, Keiron O'Brien, who has retired from the band. We wish Keiron all the best for the future.

David Brewster and Tom Holt played with the band in our recent charity collections at local supermarkets.

On Friday 14^th December, The Band finished their concert season with the annual Cullingworth Christmas Concert for Manorlands, played to a very enthusiastic and warm audience.

On this occasion, the Band shared the stage with the Cullingworth Cadets and wonderful soloist singer, Julia Williams, plus some spirited carol singing from the audience!

Due to the unforeseen sudden hospitalisation of principal cornet Shelley Hodgson (we wish you ‘Get well Soon, Shelley, we need you.’), the principal cornet chair was taken at very short notice, by Dennis Green, who did a superb job. Our grateful thanks to Dennis.

Again this was a wholly Christmas programme, featuring 'Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer' and 'Jingle Bells' to convince everyone that Christmas truly is coming!

The Band received very positive comments on both the standard of playing and programme choice.

The Wilsden Band played yet another first on the 8^th December 2007, when they presented their very own first Christmas Concert ever. The choir from Wilsden Primary School were their guests, and together with the band, delighted a capacity audience in the ‘Wonder of Christmas'.

All the music had a Christmas theme – with the Band on superb form, playing ‘Christmas Song', 'The Snowman', and a wonderful arrangement of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ (featuring principal cornet Shelley Hodgson), amongst a host of Christmas favourites.

The children were a huge success and sang brilliantly in all their songs, including ‘Little Donkey', 'Away in a Manger' and 'Jingle Bell Rock’.

The musical directors for the night were Ken Lee with the Band and Rachel Gillam with the children.

Mince pies, wine and orange juice were served at the interval – all with the complements of the Band.

Judging by all the favourable comments received, the audience were highly delighted and went home, full of Christmas cheer! This has become a normal accepted standard of the Band's concerts during the past year, and Musical Director, Ken lee had this to say in his programme notes:

“As we approach the end of what could prove to be the most eventful and successful year in the history of our band, we would all like to thank you for your continued loyal support. Our three major 2007 concerts held here in Wilsden have all been ‘sell outs.’

As a musician of long standing, I know that it means a great deal for a band to be greeted and appreciated by an enthusiastic, happy audience. Your support for the band has been fantastic – no band could have a better group of ’Friends.’

The Band and officials wish you all ‘A Very Merry Christmas & A Prosperous New Year.’ We look forward to seeing you again in 2008.”