*
banner

Eccles in Excelsis!

Surely no other band has done more to keep up the Christmas spirit this year...

Eccles
 

If ever there was an example of the true commitment to banding over the Christmas period, then it was certainly shown by the members of Eccles Band this year.

Incredible

And with bands up and down the country doing their bit to bring festive cheer to shoppers and concerts goers, every one of them will be able to recognise just how incredible Eccles particular commitment to the cause has been.

In the last few weeks the band has been out in the freezing conditions playing carols and undertaking small concert jobs to raise much needed funds – with players making the usual sacrifices of taking time out to do their bit.

Take some beating

However – these players take some beating.

Led by MD Marieka Gray, wife of Fairey (Geneva) MD Russell Gray the Eccles players have gone above and beyond the call of usual banding duty.

For example — the band recently played at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, with a line up of players and supporters which including a principal cornet who had just come out of hospital the day before with a broken arm and leg following a car accident.

Mugged

Meanwhile, another cornet player performed less than 24 hours after being mugged in Manchester, whilst the flugel horn, stood and played in the freezing cold whilst still recovering from a serious knee operation.

The baritone player came to the job on crutches with a broken ankle, whilst the wife of another player who is wheelchair bound due to severe arthritis, stayed the whole day of over 7 hours in the cold, with her collecting tin!

The prize

However, the undoubted prize for commitment beyond anything anyone could possibly expect, went to the band’s tuba player, Benschi Searle, who had promised to make every rehearsal and band job during the year.

True to his word he turned up to the last carol job to ensure his 100% attendance record – despite the day before – and this takes some beating – his car breaking down, his house catching fire and his mother being taken to hospital!

he turned up despite his car breaking down, his house catching fire and his mother being taken to hospital!4BR

Speechless

A bemused Russell Gray, who will be playing with Eccles on soprano at the Area contest next year, was left almost speechless by the commitment shown by the players.

"I’ve been associated with bands over the years where even the slightest excuse has been used not to come to practice let alone a freezing cold outside job — so to witness first hand this commitment was simply mind boggling!"

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


nybbgb

NYBBGB Tidworth Concert now on YouTube

May 30 • The impressive concert given by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and featuring Isobel Daws can now by enjoyed time and time again.


mUSIC

Pressure pays off as music still on offer at Cardiff University

May 28 • Music degrees will still be on offer at Cardiff University although under new plans to revise entry targets and content.


John Wallace

Wallace honoured by International Trumpet Guild

May 28 • John Wallace CBE follows in the musical footsteps of Maurice Andre, Philip Jones, Miles Davis and Maurice Murphy with his latest accolade.


BBE Seaside

Oh we do like to play beside the seaside...

May 28 • BBE launches its 'Brass at the Seaside' initiative to help bands reach out to new audiences.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


Croy Silver Band - Summer Concert

Thursday 26 June • Holy Cross Parochial Hall, Constarry Rd, Croy, Glasgow G65 9JG


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band

June 1 • A highly motivated and talented musician with strong organisational skills is required to lead the RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band as the Voluntary Band Instructor. This is a full time paid position (37 hrs pw)


Croy Silver Band

June 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but we always welcome enquiries for any section of the band. We rehearse in Croy on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:30pm.


Epping Forest Band

May 31 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn.. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year.. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Lt Col David Barringer MBE

BMus (Hons)
Conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd