As Tameside's bands gear up for the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool next weekend, they are being asked to get their thinking caps on for some facts, feats and trivia about themselves.
160 years
In April, Tameside's famous newspaper, 'The Reporter', will bring to an end its 160th anniversary celebrations. In conjunction with the Tameside Brass Association and Tameside Council's Cultural Services, it is hoped that the musical heritage within the borough will be celebrated with a feature incorporating one brass band fact for every year of the paper's existence.
From the well known to the obscure
With Stalybridge Old formed in 1809 and acknowledged as being the world's oldest brass band, along with the famous war time song, 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' being written and first performed in the town, some banding facts in the borough are more well known than others.
Players, conductors and brass band supporters are therefore being asked to come up with factual information on their bands or banding trivia, and to pass the information on to the newspaper in the next month.
Vicky Williamson, chair of Tameside BBA told 4BR: "As the years have gone by Tameside has had a number of constant companions — including the weekly newspaper. Also, its brass bands have each supported each other in any way they can.
With the end of The Reporter's anniversary looming, this is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our brass bands ahead of Whit Friday, not just locally, but further afield."
What do you know?
Vicky added: "This is a chance to discover who has been the borough's youngest player, the most unusual place you've ever been asked to undertake an engagement, your biggest achievements, etc. Whatever historical facts you have, please feel free to share and celebrate them."
For instance, with Ashton-under-Lyne Band winning a hat-trick of National triumphs between 1997-99, it is hoped that names of any players who played in all three bands will be made known.
Anybody sending information in is requested to do so by Sunday 20th March.
With a huge amount of history the newspaper is looking forward to getting their 160 Tameside banding facts as soon as possible.
It is hoped by Sunday 20th March, to celebrate Tameside Reporter's 160th year, 160 facts, feats & trivia will have been sought on the Borough's bands for a feature in a few weeks time4BR
Send your information
Anyone with any historical facts, feats or trivia is asked to e-mail Vicky Williamson, with details of which band(s) the information is about, along with dates to:
