Christmas officially started for Whaley Bridge Band with the Tree lighting at Chinley. The residents turned out in force at Squirrel Green for carol singing along with Chinley Primary School Choir. 

Then round the corner to St Mary's Church for more from the choir, and of course the "Chinley Special" version of the Twelve Days of Christmas, now in it's 15th year.    ​

A fine day in the Memorial Park as the residents of Whaley Bridge paid their respects to those who gave their lives for king and country.

An outstanding performance by Holly, our principal cornet who sounded the Last Post at the appointed hour. Although Holly had played the Last Post at Bridgemont and Furness Vale before, this was her debut in the Memorial Park, which is much bigger event and a whole new ordeal. 
But she wasn't phased. Note perfect and not event a hint of a waver.
Well done, Holly, we are so proud of you!

Our second event in 24 hours, and a complete contrast to the previous evening.
Back in Band uniform and a more formal programme for the service of blessing for the Well Dressing.

Our Kettleshulme event this year was a Bier Keller. A what a night it was!
As well as plenty of "Oompa" from the band, the success of a Bier Keller night depends very much on the
MC, and were we indeed privileged that Marcus undertook this vital role for us.

And it's not just on the night itself. As well as attending rehearsals leading up to the event to put us thorough our paces, there was a a huge amount of planning and preparation for Marcus behind the scenes to get the show on the road.
Thank you, Marcus. You were brilliant. 

The Band really went to town in dressing up for the occasion, some amazing dirndls and plenty of knobbly knees on display......

The audience certainly enjoyed themselves, joining in with all the activities with gusto. 

And not just the audience........

Thank you to all our friends who played with us to make it a really special occasion

• Lou and Nick, all the way from Yorkshire, on the front row
• Marcus's daughter Hannah on the back row,
• John, with yet another step in his quest as a one man band - this time playing 2nd Trombone music on a baritone
• the bass line - Rachel and Tom, two more members of Marcus's family, and Andy from Fairfield Band
• and last but not least, Dave on percussion 

And thank you and good bye to Paul, who has been a Band stalwart on trombone for the last couple of years, during his all too brief sojourn in Whaley Bridge.  A really grand finale on Bass Trombone for our Bier Keller.
All the best, Paul, for your new adventure in Scotland. 

Here we are again, in our "bandstand" under the trees in WB Canal Basin.
Whaley Wharf Weekend this time, another WB community event which the Band are proud to be a part of.
And yet again, the weather was ideal, sunny, dry and warm, just right for both the players and the audience.

Sheila, our Musical Director, had compiled a fantastic programme of music, challenging for the Band who had worked hard in the few weeks since Carnival to get up to concert standard, and greatly appreciated by everyone who came to listen to us. A resounding round of applause after every piece. 

 Is it a coincidence that when "Perfect Day" is on the programme, that it is indeed a perfect day?
 The last time we played this in a concert was in June 2022 for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, and that too was   a perfect day in Whaley Canal Basin. 

 Thank you to Nev and the Canal Group for inviting WB Band to join this amazing event, and to some friends from other local bands who played with us on this special occasion - huge thanks to Jane, Andy and Lee  from Fairfield Band, Andy from Marple Band and Sarah from New Mills Band, and of course John from Hazel Grove Band.  We couldn't have done it without you.

A fantastic day when several members of Whaley Bridge Band joined Over Alderley Band at Rainow Fete,
starting with the incredible ride on the trailer with the band playing to lead the parade. More players than ever this year, word has got round about just what a special occasion it is, and the trailer was full to capacity.
So much so, that the drummer had to walk behind as there was no space for her to ride. 

AND we won 1st Prize for the best Adult entry in the parade, how good's that!​ 

A real scorcher of a day, we were so grateful for the shade of the tent where we played our two sets during the afternoon. 

Thank you Over Alderley Band, for inviting us to join you, please put us on the list again for next year!  

A perfect evening for our summer visit to Cromford Court, warm and sunny, with just enough breeze to keep the midges away.

As always, it was well attended and the residents choir sang with enthusiasm. The programme included the late Graham Robinson's arrangement of Let There be Peace on Earth, our tribute to Graham who is greatly missed.

And of course, a cream tea afterwards.  A big thank you to all at Cromford Court for making us so welcome.

Lots going on at Whaley Bridge Carnival this year, and of course the musical entertainment included
Whaley Bridge Band.

Playing in our favourite spot under the trees by the Transhipment Shed, we struck up just as the parade was returning through the canal basin.  As well as the traditional opening march, there was plenty of more recent music to entertain the audience.

The weather was perfect, sunny and dry, with a gentle breeze so not too hot, and the residents of WB turned out in full force.

The very nature of carnival is that it's a big event with many local entertainers strutting their stuff at the same time in different part of the site, and we had concerns that the Band would be competing for "sound space" with other musical groups.

But but we needn't have worried.  The whole event was well planned in terms of both time and space.
Although the Rockin' Red Rocket band was in full swing at the same time as us, they were on the other side of the Transhipment Shed, and really didn't affect us at all.  We were even a match for the fair ground in the car park.

Thank you to Charles from Fairfield Band who helped us out on the back cornet row, and to John, versatile as ever, playing a Bass part on his euphonium.

Well done Whaley Bridge Carnival for a fantastic day all round. 

A big adventure for Whaley Bridge Band to leave our home ground comfort zone to play with
Fairfield Band the bandstand in Buxton Pavilion Gardens.

We were most fortunate to be invited by Fairfield Band to join them for a joint concert in Buxton's prestigious
bandstand, an invitation we were delighted to accept. Sheila, MD of WB Band, drew up the programme for the first half, and the music for the second half was chosen by Fairfield MD, Lee Wilde. 

Despite the weather being less than perfect, a decent sized crowd turned out for this special event, and obviously enjoyed "a concert of two halves." As it turned out, the rain held off throughout the first half,
then a shower during the interval, and dry again for the second half.  How good's that!  

With a little help from some close friends, there were no less than 30 musicians in the Bandstand on Sunday.
An amazing  front row of SIX solo cornets, all chairs filled right round the band including percussion.
Its a long time since WB Band played with a drummer, and what a difference it makes. Especially in the grand finale of the first half, The Conquest of Paradise, wow!  Thank you, Sarah 

And thank you to everyone who contributed to making the day such a success.
Sheila and Lee for choosing the programmes, rehearsing the players and conducting on the day. 
​The players from both bands and the deps who helped us out.
And the audience.  Without the audience, it's just another band practice, and having you all there supporting us raises the game and makes an occasion to remember.  
​A grand day out!

Celebrations in Whaley Bridge for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day were held on Sunday 4th May at
the War Memorial in the park.  First a Service of Thanksgiving lead by Royal British Legion Chaplain,
Reverend Rob Cross, followed by Community Singing lead by the Band.

The bright sunshine gave the day a very festive feel, and the Whaley Bridge Community Singers were in good voice,  joining in with their usual enthusiasm.

It was a privilege and a pleasure to play such a significant part in the Whaley Bridge celebration of VE Day,  another successful community occasion on our home ground.