Whitwell Band is celebrating retaining the title of Fourth Section champion in the annual NEMBBA Contestlast weekend.

The band beat strong opposition with their performance of 'Four Cities Symphony' and the win is a good confidence boost for the band as they prepare for the forthcoming Regional Championships.

£10,000 Grant

Further celebrations are taking place at the announcement of a £10,000 ‘Awards For All’ lottery grant.

A large portion of the grant will be used to purchase some new instruments for the main band. The instruments being replaced will be passed on to the training band whose members currently play on much older instruments.

Whitwell Brass are a hard working, fun loving band whose recent efforts have paid off in more ways than onemd dAVID fRETWELL.

Back to the 1930's

At least one has been dated back to the 1930’s! It will also enable the band to advertise for new young players, as the band will now have a pool of spare instruments for their use.

Band secretary, Paul Wood told 4BR: "Band members are constantly raising money for running costs — even doing a forty mile sponsored walk in June. The grant is a very welcome addition."

The award will be celebrated formally in October with the performance of a new piece of music that has been commissioned by the band.

New music

Musical Director, David Fretwell told 4BR: "Whitwell Brass are a hard working, fun loving band whose recent efforts have paid off in more ways than one."

The band comprises mainly of people local to Whitwell and includes a number of family groups.