*
banner

From Hargreaves to Wallace & Gromit for WFEL Fairey

This weekend the WFEL Fairey Band will celebrate two very different anniversaries in Birmingham and Beaminster.

wfel fAIREY
  The band will perform in Birmingham and Beaminster

The WFEL Fairey Band will be busy this weekend as they celebrate the anniversaries of characters as well as supporters who have brought joy to countless people.

Wallace & Gromit

On Saturday (25th March) they take to the stage at Birmingham Town Hall (doors open 2.30pm for 3.00pm start) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Wallace & Gromit — and their incredible 'Wrong Trousers'.

The band has teamed up with creators Aardman to accompany the amazing stop-motion film about Wallace, a good-natured, eccentric, cheese-loving inventor, and Gromit, his loyal and intelligent anthropomorphic beagle.

It's brilliant family entertainment and has already seen well over 600 tickets sold for the event — so you had better be quick to grab a seat.

https://bmusic.co.uk/events/wallace-and-gromit-the-wrong-trousers-with-live-brass-band

Tony and Margaret

The following day they head to Beaminster in West Dorset for a 43rd consecutive visit to perform at St Mary's Church to a packed brass band congregation that will included perhaps their most dedicated supporters — Tony and Margaret Greenham.

It will be the final time the pair will officially welcome the band to their fine home where they have provided a wonderful meal to fuel the afternoon performance.

On this occasion the band will travel from Birmingham for a Saturday evening meal and a relaxing evening with them, before another Sunday dinner will stoke them up for the Sunday afternoon performance at the Church.

Incredible connection

Speaking to 4BR, Tony said: "It's been an incredible connection — and one we have enjoyed every minute of. It all started with Fairey Band concert in nearby Crewkerne when we met bass player Cliff Colwell.

From there he got us in touch with Walter Hargreaves who said he would bring the band down for a concert and a crate of whisky for himself! They have returned every year since to provide wonderful entertainment and to renew friendships."

From there he got us in touch with Walter Hargreaves who said he would bring the band down for a concert and a crate of whisky for himself!Tony Greenham

Warm welcome

He added: "Brian Taylor is the only player who remains from the original concert, but I'm delighted to say that although as we are both 87 years of age we will be stepping down for organising event, the local Music Festival will ensure that it will continue.

I can also assure the band that there will always be a warm welcome and food and friendship for them at our home too for many more years to come."

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    


Brisbane Exclesior

Results: 2026 Yamaha Australian National Championships

April 5 • Brisbane Excelsior regains National title with Grade honours to Willoughby Band No. 2, Whitehorse Brass, Hyde Street Youth, City of Ballarat Municipal Brass, Box Hill Academy Brass and Brisbane State High School Brass.


Principals

National Youth sets out musical principals ahead of twin concerts

April 5 • The 90 young players of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain are being out through their paces ahead of their twin Easter Course performances.


Elgar Festival

Elgar attractions gain ticket take up

April 5 • Brass Band Willebroek, Black Dyke, Foden's, Flowers, David Childs and the RBC Brass Band are attracting the crowds for their Elgar International Festival of Brass appearances.


BBCA

Pankhurst and Wainwright works to test conductor skills

April 5 • 'Ghosts of Industry' and 'Metamorphosis on Finlandia' will test the 10 semi-finalists in the Brass Band Conductors' Association Conducting Competition in June.


Regent Hall Concerts - Queentet Brass Quintet

Tuesday 7 April • Charlton House. Charlton Road . London SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 3 • We have vacancies for a trombone player and a bass player. Cleethorpes Band rehearse near the seafront on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the NOE 4th section. Other players are always welcome as we may be able to switch positions around


Tintwistle Band

April 2 • . Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd horn player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Tintwistle Band

April 2 • Tintwistle Band are looking for an Eb bass player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Steve Pritchard-Jones

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


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd