4BR’s recent visit to the Brass Band Archive in Wigan has certainly ensured that it’s two stalwart curator’s Walter Ainscough and Alan Marsh, have been kept busy.

Countless hours

The two men who put in countless hours of work each week have been inundated with requests and offers, questions and queries from all over the banding world – and now have to spend even more time away from their wives!

Alan and I enjoy every minute we are here, but we have been inundated with requests and offers – from old programmes and records to stand banners and even trophies!Walter Ainscough

Amazing response

Walter told 4BR: "The response has been amazing. Alan and I enjoy every minute we are here, but we have been inundated with requests and offers – from old programmes and records to stand banners and even trophies!"

All over the world

Just 24 hours after the video was put on the 4BR site, e-mails had started to come in from as far away as Australia and America – all wanting to find out more about the Archive and its work.

Headache

The two curators now have something of a headache as they may need to try and cram even more banding treasure from around the globe into the archive offices.

"Alan is great at finding extra space," Walter told 4BR. "It may mean even more work for us both, but it goes to show that people want to protect our banding heritage. It’s a good job our wives know where we are!"

More information:

If you wish to find out more about the Brass Band Archive, please go to: http://www.brassbandarchive.com/index.htm

The video by Ian Clowes and Iwan Fox can be viewed at: http://www.vimeo.com/14042565