The Stalybridge Old Band has announced that they are looking forward to 2017 with the backing of a new organisational structure.

Way forward

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Over the last two or three years the band has gained a very different vision of the way forward. We now have a new outlook, and the Band Management Committee was formed to make the organisation more professional. It has however meant a number of changes."

4BR was informed that the committee will be led by a new Band Chairman, principal cornet John Withers. John has been a member of the band for over 50 years and now heads a team consisting of Mel Flynn (Secretary), Trevor Hamilton (Librarian), Wayne Matthews (Bandmaster), Dawn Matthews (Uniform Manager), Paul Clough, Lee Renton and Ann Jackson.

Thanks

The spokesperson added: "We wish to thank Audrey Greenwood for all her hard work as Band Treasurer over the last 15 years, taking the band through a difficult period.

She no longer has any connection with the band or its organisation, after relinquishing her position and as a result has been excluded from the committee. A new Treasurer will be elected and announced in the very near future."

We now have a new outlook, and the Band Management Committee was formed to make the organisation more professional. It has however meant a number of changesBand spokesperson

Improving performance

They added: "It's very sad to lose someone who worked so hard for the band, but we have to move with the times and decisive leadership and guidance was desperately required in order to achieve the expected goals of our Musical Director.

We are now hard at work improving the performance of the band following the news of our pending promotion in January 2017."