Elland Silver is certainly looking forward to what 2017 will have in store for them, as the Yorkshire band opens a new chapter in its 167 year history by entering the Championship Section.
The band was formed around 1850 and apart from the war years has been a constant part of the local and wider community of Elland in Calderdale, West Yorkshire.
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2017 will see now them compete against the giants of Yorkshire banding for what they believe is the very first time since the National Championships started in 1900, as they look forward to performing 'Pageantry' under MD, Daniel Brooks at Huddersfield Town Hall in March.
It marks an incredible achievement for a band that in the early 1980s was on the brink of folding. Thankfully, through the work of dedicated supporters and talented musicians things were transformed, as Kathleen Harrison told 4BR.
On the brink
"In 1983 Elland was on the very brink of folding due to a lack of members,"she recalls. "My father, Kenneth Billington took over the reins and with all our help we started to recover and then flourish.
Back in those dark days no-one could have even guessed how successful we would become. Now we can boast a Championship Section band which is supported by a wonderful youth band set up. From just a handful of players we now have over 130 members."
Finest conductors
Over the years the band has also had the good fortune of being able to work with some of the finest brass band conductors in the country such as the much missed trio of Jack Harrison, Geoffrey Whitham and Tony Whitaker.
Others who have made their mark include David Essex, Morgan Griffiths, Gordon Eddison, Philip Wilby and the legendary Jim Shepherd.
it will be a very proud moment when the band takes to the stage in Huddersfield for the Yorkshire Area contest. It will be a daunting test but MD Daniel Brooks and all the players are ready for the challengeKathleen Harrison
Proud moment
Kathleen added: "We thank them all and it will be a very proud moment when the band takes to the stage in Huddersfield for the Yorkshire Area contest. It will be a daunting test but MD Daniel Brooks and all the players are ready for the challenge."
