*
banner

Blackley pride at VE Day role

The Blackley Band was able to play a central role in the recent VE Day celebrations in Manchester — despite the restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Blackley
  The Blackley Band members played their part in the VE Day celebrations

The Blackley Band has spoken to 4BR about their pride at being able to support Manchester City Council in commemorating the recent 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Manchester's cenotaph memorial was due to have been the central focal point of the city's planned commemoration celebrations including a military parade, but these had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

Response

However, Blackley responded to the approach by Manchester City Council by using modern technology in the most fitting way possible under the circumstances.

It saw the members of the band give a socially distanced performance of the hymn tune 'Eventide', which was included as part of an online remembrance service, streamed by the council through their social media at 11.00am on the day.

The service also included readings and acts of remembrance by the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Manchester, and featured historical footage from the Manchester Metropolitan University archives.

Honour

In honour of those who made the ultimate sacrifice principal cornet player Tom Molyneux was shown on screen sounding the 'Last Post' at Manchester Cenotaph.

Tom had worked alongside the City Council to pre-record the rendition prior to the event, with footage later shared on social media and viewed over 25,000 times by Sunday evening.

Tom later remarked on just who eerie the centre of Manchester was on the day — in complete contrast to the scenes 75 years ago.

It saw the members of the band give a socially distanced performance of the hymn tune 'Eventide', which was included as part of an online remembrance service, streamed by the council through their social media at 11.00am on the day4BR

Last Post

Just before 3.00pm on the day when brass musicians right across the country stood outside their front doors to pay their own 'Last Post' respects, the council broadcast a separate video, again featuring Tom along with fellow Blackley Band cornet players Paul Whitehead and Chrissy Chalk-Smith, sounding the 'Last Post' and 'Reveille' from their own homes.

The initiative also saw Chrissy featured on the front page of 'The Guardian' newspaper the following day.

Homage

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "It was an honour to be part of VE Day proceedings and to be able to pay homage to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for our freedom, both at home and overseas.

It was particularly poignant that Blackley Band should have had this honour, given that the band's origins can be traced back to 1941 as the band of the North Manchester Home Guard, who undertook the vitally important role of defending our home front, which ultimately contributed to victory in 1945."

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    


Black Dyke

Black Dyke feature in Bradford cultural celebration

June 8 • The Queensbury Band has been featured in a BBC 'Travel Show' programme that celebrates the rejuvenation of Bradford as the 2025 UK City of Culture.


Elgar festival of brass

Top trio attracts audiences to Malvern

June 7 • There are still tickets left if you want to enjoy Cory, Black Dyke and Foden's in performance in Malvern


Perth

Entries now open for Scottish Festival of Brass brace

June 7 • Bands can now enter the popular Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield and Scottish Open sponsored by Besson.


Cambrian Brass

New band to be formed in Aberystwyth

June 7 • Cambrian Brass to provide a welcoming, inclusive home for players with the aim of competing at the Welsh Area in 2026.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Rushden Town Band

June 8 • 2nd Trombone - come and join our amazing trombone section in Rushden Town Band. A varied engagement schedule as well as a tour every other year.


Rushden Town Band

June 8 • B flat bass position for this fun-loving, 1st Section East Midlands band. Varied engagement schedule including a tour every other year.


Chinnor Silver

June 7 • Our Community Band is meeting on Monday {9th} and would welcome anyone who fancies an extra friendly rehearsal,with coffee and cake involved.. We rehearse in our bandroom at 11am its free and it open to all abilities.. No commitment required.


Steve Pritchard-Jones

FTCL LTCL LDBBA DipMusEd GMus QTS NPQH
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd