*
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    


podcast

Podcast: Whisky High Notes: Episode 1

March 26 • Composer agent and whisky lover, Dr. Naomi Belshaw is joined by Sam McShane, Artistic Director of Kings Place to talk about whisky and classical music...


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: New Jerusalem (Kenneth Downie)

March 26 • A upbeat march to put a concert audience in an immediate good mood from Kenneth Downie.


Guildhall

Guildhall Solo Competition entries now open

March 26 • If you are a brass or percussion player aged 9-18 and Grade 3 and above, them why not enjoy yourself in competition and in finding out more about your playing skills...


Tine Thing Helseth

Best Classical Recording Award for Tine Thing Helseth

March 26 • The Norwegian trumpet soloist has won a prestigious Spellemannprisen for Best Classical Recording for her latest release, 'Echoes'.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 26 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Octet

Friday 27 March • Oompah Brass XXL. Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • Back row cornet vacancy. . Instrument available


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • Percussion - kit vacancy. . Pearl & mapex kits available . Own bandroom, no additional setting up between rehearsals


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • 2nd Euphonium vacancy. . Flexible rehearsals available to support band-home life balance


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd