Description

Championship Section Band.

The town of Bedworth, in Warwickshire, can trace its brass band roots back nearly 100 years – but despite the rich mining heritage of the area, the brass bands in Bedworth have their origins in the local churches.

In 1927, the local Wesleyan Reform Church Band was formed, later becoming the Bedworth Silver Prize Band which during the 1970s and early 1980s was successfully competing at Championship Section level.

In the late 1960’s, a second band had been formed in the town - Bedworth Parish Church Silver Band - and for a number of years the town could boast of 2 bands.

Unfortunately, the town band fell into decline during the 1980s and the 2 bands eventually merged to form the Bedworth Town and Church Silver Band, later becoming Bedworth Brass.

In 1989 the band began contesting in the Fourth Section, achieving immediate success by qualifying for the National Finals at their first attempt. The band progressed through the sections, being promoted to the First Section in 2001 where they have remained to this day, some 15 years later. The band has now qualified for the National Finals on 6 occasions, the most memorable being to play at the Royal Albert Hall in the Second Section finals in 2000.

Their most recent success, through again qualifying for the National Finals in 2016, has resulted in promotion to the Championship Section from 2017 – the band’s highest ranking since 1982.

Description

Originally the Abbey Grounds, the park is very close to the main part of the town and provides a fresh green setting for this historic but still vibrant Abbey.

The park has lovely mature trees including a tree carving sculpture and plenty of open grass area. There is a children's play area, a children's water play area and also a skate park.

The bandstand, which officially opened on the 28th November 2010, came about due to Pershore Youth Council who in September 2009 took the idea of a youth shelter to Pershore Town Council and after consideration chose a bandstand as it would serve a dual purpose.

The Town Clerk from Pershore and the Parks Officer from Wychavon District Council worked together on the project. The Youth Council raised some of the money by holding a music festival and other activities, and the Town Clerk successfully sought a variety of other funders, as can be seen from the panel inside the shelter.

Anyone wishing to hold a band concert in the park during the summer should contact the Pershore Town Clerk on 01386 561561.

Abbey Park,

Pershore,

Worcestershire,

England,

WR10 1JP.