*
banner

Personal thanks to life savers

Former Fairey Band baritone player Keith Muggeridge has revisited the people who helped save his life.

Air ambulance
  Keith Muggeridge presented the air ambulance with a cheque from his brass band fund raising concert

Nineteen months after being involved in a serious car accident, former Fairey Band baritone player Keith Muggeridge has met up with the Thames Valley Air Ambulance crew that flew him to hospital that fateful day to help save his life, and to present them with the proceeds of a special fund raising concert he led with the help of his brass banding friends.

Emotional experience

Keith told 4BR: "Meeting the crew that saved my life has to be one of the most emotional experiences I've ever had. It has taken nineteen months after the accident, but I was surprised that the crew still remembered pretty much everything of the scene.

It was their first call out of the day, so I'd never realised that until recently, due to a lack of headlight capabilities, they could not function in the dark. Now they can. This just shows how lucky I was as my accident was just before 7.00am in the morning."

This was my thank you to the Air Ambulance team: They are a fantastic group of people who are completely and utterly dedicated to their roleKeith Muggeridge

So important

He added: "They were delighted to hear how the money was raised by the players from GUS, Fairey, Desford and Towcester Studio, and could see how these ensembles were so important in my recovery.

This was my thank you to the Air Ambulance team: They are a fantastic group of people who are completely and utterly dedicated to their role."

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    


Besson

4BR Christmas Quiz

December 26 • How good is your brass band knowledge? Good enough to win a cornet and goodies for a young player?


Special Award

2025 4BR Special Award: Richard Marshall

December 25 • One of the finest cornet players of this or any other brass band generation is the recipient of the 4BR Special Award.


Band of the Year

2025 4BR Band of the Year

December 25 • One band once again stamped its class and authority on the banding world this year — with the promise of even more to come in 2026.


Conductor

2025 4BR Conductor of the Year

December 25 • One conductor stood out on the podium from their counterparts this year.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Dobcross Silver Band

December 29 • We are accepting applications for a 2nd BARITONE PLAYER after the Area contest in March.. As current NW Area 3rd Section Champions and 2025 National Champions we start our journey in the 2nd Section in 2026! Come and join our great Euph/Bari section!


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


John Ward


Conductor, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd