*
banner

The fittest band in the country?

The Alveley Band are laying claim to be the fittest band in the UK.

Alveley
 

Alveley Village Band, a community band that caters for families, neighbours and school children, is leading the way in promoting a healthier, more active lifestyle for musicians across Shropshire.

An active lifestyle

The band is keen to show other bands around the country how passionate it is about staying fit and healthy, and is encouraging musicians everywhere to get fit and healthy through regular exercise.

4,500 miles

Super-fit senior band member Dave Bissett recently wowed the band by cycling 4500 miles to help promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

He cycled all the way from Gibraltar in Southern Spain to North Cape in Arctic Norway.

Iain added: "Dave is one of the biggest role models we’ve got in the band for promoting an active, action-packed lifestyle to children. He’s showing young people that you can be good at more than one thing and have great fun too – no matter what your age!."

Our band is really enjoying the challenge of getting fit and active. It’s a bit of fun for everyone outside our music, but we’ve already noticed improvements in our stamina and concentration levelsAlveley Band

Raising the Barr

Band member Suzie Barr recently travelled all the way to Jamaica to take part in the Reggae Half Marathon and is also a brown-belt in karate and has taken part in several 10k events for Cancer Research.

Racing Richard

Amongst the band’s junior members, the Band‘s principal cornet Richard Harrison (16) will be competing in the Worcester County Swimming Championships and last year represented the Wyre Forest District in Cross Country and Athletics.

Wonderful start to campaign

Band secretary Sue Williams told 4BR: "Our band is really enjoying the challenge of getting fit and active. It’s a bit of fun for everyone outside our music, but we’ve already noticed improvements in our stamina and concentration levels."

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    


Skunkworks

A brass band camp with a difference...

January 15 • The latest Skunkworks Community Bright Brass & Percussion Summer Intensive in Australia came with snake bites, heat stress gastroenteritis and bushfires, as well as plenty of great music making...


Podcast

Festival focus for 4BR Review podcast

January 14 • Join the live podcast broadcast this evening with Iwan Fox, Chris Thomas and Dr David Thornton as they preview the attractions at the forthcoming RNCM International Brass Band Festival.


RBC

Area test-piece focus at RBC Brass Day

January 14 • Players, conductors and brass band supporters can enjoy a full day of Third and Fourth Section test-piece workshops in Birmingham — with a Thomas Fountain bonus.


RNCM Festival

Cymbals to soundtracks on offer at RNCM Percussion Day

January 14 • There will be a full day of percussion attractions on offer at the RNCM in February.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Cheltenham Silver Band

January 14 • Tenor Horn, Bass, Percussion (all positions negotiable) in our 3rd Section Band.. . As we prepare for the West of England Areas with our professional conductor, Neil Brownless, and the 2026 summer season, we are looking to welcome new members.


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • New Year,New Section,New MD and for you New Band?. We are looking for a Tuned Percussionist for the areas and beyond.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday evening 8-10 in our own bandroom (so no setting up each time).


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (19th) at 11am in our own bandroom.. We welcome players of all abilities to join us for a relaxed,friendly rehearsal with cake and coffee thrown in all free.. Playing with us doesn’t affect your own band


Alex McGee

MA BMus PGCE
Conductor & Composer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd