A huge amount of support from all corners of the banding movement has been directed towards Mossley Band after their result at the recent North West Regional Championships saw them face relegation to the Third Section.

It follows a public statement being made by their Band Chairman on behalf of members, committee and supporters that brought a rare level of honest appraisal about the capricious nature of contesting and its outcomes.

Although there was disappointment that the result meant potential relegation, the Band Chairperson took the opportunity to place the hopefully temporary set-back in a wider context.

Well chosen words

Their well chosen words certainly resonated with supporters and rivals alike.

"It was a poor performance, and we were given the result we deserved," they said, before adding; "However, there is no finger pointing and no one is singularly to blame. In the past we have won together and lost together and will continue to do both in the future as a close knit team."

They went to say that despite losing players over recent months for a variety of reasons, all "would always be welcome back in the bandroom".

They also pinpointed a record fund raising effort over the festive period and thanked players who stepped in at short notice to enable the band to play at the contest: "They were all tremendous and their presence made rehearsals enjoyable and created an optimism that we initially did not have."

Thanks

Thanks also went to MD Duncan Byers "who puts up with much and gives without question", as well as to the all-important 'back up team', "whose diligence and constant phone calling actually allowed us to put out a band at the contest at all, including four percussionists."

And whilst still admitting to disappointment that due to the rules their stay in the First Section (after 11 years in the First) was measured in a single performance, a band that started in 1841 "will move forward from this setback".

2026 onwards

As they said. "2026 is a busy and exciting year for us with some great concert and Whit Friday to look forward to".

Since the post, support has come from a wide variety of source, praising the honesty, character and commitment of a band that is held in great respect in the North West — with one person adding: "Fair play. An organisation with leadership like this will flourish again."