An action packed Carnival this year, with Whaley Bridge Band in our "Bandstand" under the trees entertaining the crowd after the parade set off from the Canal Basin.

It was a HOT day and the shade was very welcome for both the players and the audience.

The programme chosen by Sheila, our Musical Director, hit the spot exactly for the Carnival atmosphere, with plenty of opportunity for people to join in and celebrate.

In addition to our own regular players, we had two "guest artistes" helping us out today. Both Andy (cornet) and Sarah (euphonium) are familiar faces on the Whaley Carnival scene, having both learned their trade as members of WB Band.
Not only was it Andy's birthday today, but so it was on Carnival day when he was 21! 
Sarah, like her mum Carolyn also playing euphonium today, is a past Rose Queen. That year, as soon as the parade was over, she hotfooted it over to play with the band still in her Rose Queen dress.  This year she was in the black T-shirt of her own band in Chesterfield, having driven to Whaley at top (legal!) immediately after coming off stage from their event in the morning.

What dedication!
Thank you both for joining us on Whaley's special day.
And thank you too to everyone who listened to us play - hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

After the success of the joint concert with
Fairfield Band in Buxton Pavilion Gardens last year, we were back again in 2026 for a repeat performance.

And, just like last year, it looked like the weather was not on our side with the forecast predicting a wet afternoon.

However - again just like last year - the rain stayed away and the sun shone
(well, almost shone and it was quite warm) for the crucial couple of hours while we played.   

WB Band MD, Sheila, compiled the music for the first half, and Lee, MD of Fairfield Band, chose the programme for the second half. Unfortunately, Sheila was unable to conduct on the day, so Lee stepped up and did the honours for the whole concert.  It's a big ask to conduct music that someone else has selected, but Lee did an amazing job - huge thanks, Lee, for saving the day. 

It was a pleasure to play for the appreciative audience, who took a gamble on the weatherman being wrong and turned out in force to listen to the band(s!) Thank you all for coming: playing to an audience makes it special - without you, it's just another band practice.

And thank you too, big time, to our friends who joined us in the bandstand on Sunday. One of the great strengths of the brass band world is supporting each other, and filling the "empty chairs" of those band members who can't make the concert.  Fairfield and Whaley Bridge Bands are very grateful to cornets
Andy and Kim(Marple Band) and Kat (Hawk Green Band,) Neil on Eb Bass (Tintwistle Band) and "freelance" Hayley also on cornet. We couldn't do it without you.

"Rain Stopped Play"

Regrettably our first engagement of 2026 didn't happen due to bad weather - cold, high winds and squalls of rain and sleet.  A difficult decision as we were well prepared - Sheila had even arranged one of the hymns as it wasn't in either of our hymn books (which contain a total of 262 hymns!) - but due to Health and Safety concerns it was the right decision. 

Bandsmen are a hardy bunch, and used to playing outside in less than perfect conditions, but on this occasion the weather was too extreme, and we had to pull out.  But we'll sign up again for next year and keep fingers crossed for a fine day.

........ the Band had a well earned day off.
Sadly, the planned Coffee and Carols morning at the Mechanics had to be cancelled as the building work was not finished, a real shame..... but we did appreciate a morning off.

But we'll be back next year. 

At the invitation of Tesco, we played an early evening slot inside the store - what a contrast to years ago when we were outside in the trolley park. 
Warm and dry, and an open invitation for refreshments in the staff room. Thank you, Tesco Whaley Bridge, for your hospitality.

A very warm welcome awaited us at The Paper Mill in more ways than one.
Expecting to play outside under the canopy as we did last year, we were all well wrapped up with extras layers under our Christmas Jumpers as well as our winter band jackets. But this year, we were in pride of place inside the packed Paper Mill, so our performance began with a striptease as we got down to basics to let off steam.

Even though some of the carols were already into double figures for featuring on the programme this year, they were  played with renewed enthusiasm for such an appreciative - and vocal - audience, and the "requests" extended our repertoire with some for which it was the first outing this year.
The evening was both musical and sociable, with liquid refreshments provided for the band at half time. 

Special thanks to Reverend Rob Cross, our "compere" for the evening, to the audience for donating over £100 to band funds and to one of Santa's little helpers for a guest appearance as a junior bandsman.

Back in Christmas Jumpers again today, although many had been taken off by the end of the performance -
no expense spared at Cromford Court in having the heating on full blast at! 

No Christmas Jumpers today, full Band uniform for the Service of 9 Lessons and Carols at
​Brierley Green Church. 
Prior to the service, the Band played while the  the congregation assembled, including an arrangement of "Who Is He" (Sheila's favourite carol,) which started with a complete verse of unaccompanied Solo Cornet.
Well done Holly! Perfectly performed, just as on Remembrance Day.
If she was at all nervous, it certainly didn't show. 

And, yes, it is a  flute on the left hand side in the picture.
Amy, a member of the church congregation, joined the Band for a guest appearance for this special occasion. Thank you, Amy.  You are most welcome to  come and play with us again any time.  

The Band were once again invited to play at The Big Sing at Uniting Church in support of Christian Aid.
Another amazing community event in Whaley Bridge full of Christmas  Cheer.

The Twelve Days of Christmas never fails to engage with the audience and as usual proved a great success. 

The Christmas Trees Festival at Holy Trinity Church in Whaley Bridge was the scene for our
6th Day of Christmas. What a colourful band all decked out in our Christmas Jumpers.