The brand new rehearsal facility of Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band was recently opened by the well known businessman Dave Whelan the founder of the DW Sports chain.

Mr Whelan (above) is former bandsman and has been a generous benefactor and main sponsor of the Pemberton organisation for many years.

Straight and narrow

At the opening he spoke of the time when as a youngster in Wigan he was put on what he called the 'straight and narrow' after attending Wigan Boys Club — leading him to become a professional footballer and a member of the brass band directed by William Haydock, a renowned local brass conductor of the day.

Mr. Whelan said how impressed he was with all the hard work that the band had put in to renovating the premisesPemberton Old Wigan DW Band

Proud

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "Mr. Whelan said how impressed he was with all the hard work that the band had put in to renovating the premises and how proud it should be of its achievements, which will now include a series of local Sunday evening concerts at the venue for other local bands."