Description

Uppermill Band are current National Champion Band of Great Britain Third Section 2019 and North West Regional Second Section Champions 2020.

Rehearsals:- Monday & Wednesday 7:45 - 9:45pm

Uppermill Band originates from the village of Uppermill, Saddleworth in the foothills of the Pennines straddling Lancashire and Yorkshire, hence the red and white roses on their badge.

The band was formed in March 1979 initially as a Youth Band. Following its registration as a Fourth Section Band it enjoyed a very successful period on the Contest arena culminating in two consecutive qualifications to the National Finals in 1988 and 1989 held in London, both from third place at the area championships. Promotion to the Third Section followed.

At this stage the Band had 6 of its young players in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. The Band was a victim of its own success losing players to higher section bands and several players continuing their studies at University and the band found itself back in the fourth section as a result.

Over the next few years, Uppermill remained a hard working and friendly band under Jim Hunter and regulars at the Pontins and Whit Friday contests to name but a few.

In 2004, the band’s 25th anniversary year, Simon Wood took the band to the Areas in Blackpool and qualification for the National Finals resulted.

That appearance in Harrogate was under Alan Widdop who replaced Simon when he had to step down due to other commitments, and the band came ninth but perhaps some experience was gained, and over the next two and a half years a pattern of consistency began to emerge of placings at Whit Friday and other contests and some considerable prize money won.

Over the next few years, six wins in a row at the Holme Valley contest, a hat trick of wins at Pontins, several sectional and individual awards, and appearances at the Nationals in 2007 and 2008 culminated in promotion to the third section and, as a result of good performances at the Areas, to the second section effective from January 2011.

Uppermill band continues to remain a friendly and stable band and, as the band is unsponored, very hard working as a result, especially over the Christmas carolling period.

The band now has the luxury of having it’s own band room with appropriate storage facilities after having to endure some years of a nomadic existence.

In 2016 following the North West Area Contest. Alan, who had been MD with Uppermill for 12 years decided to stand down mainly due to health reasons. This was the end of an era and the start of new beginnings. Following 2 months of auditions the Band appointed Dean Redfern as their new MD. Dean enjoyed several conducting appointments prior to putting his conducting ambitions on hold whilst he concentrated on his work commitments and Career continuing his playing at the the famous Brighouse & Rastrick Band where he was also Chairman.

Rehearsal Room,
the band Room.
Saddleworth Cricket Club
Calf Lane, Well I' Hole
Greenfield
Saddleworth
OL3 7HY

Description

The Ring o Bells is a multi award winning pub in the heart of Marple. It sits alongside the canal and has its own canal boat which has been transformed into a floating pub and party boat.

The Bell can be chartered for all occasions then returning to the Ring o Bells for a meal. The pub itself if full of charm and character with open fires and walls adorned with pictures of Marple and the pub from a bygone era.

It is open all day everyday and offers fresh home cooked food throughout the day. There is a canal side terrace which through the summer has weekly brass band concerts whilst enjoying the food and drink on offer. In the evenings there are quiz nights and regular light indoor entertainment to cater for all tastes.

The landlord; Michael Coleman is an ex-professional musician and singer. Played the saxophone with many famous groups e.g. Edwin Starr, Kim Weston, Guys & Dolls. He formerly headed the largest entertainment agency outside London, where he was "discovered" and worked with many famous 70s groups including Mud, Sweet, Smokey. He also worked alongside Peter Stringfellow in nightclubs and discotheques in Leeds, Manchester, London, New York, Miami Beach and Rodeo Drive Los Angeles.

130 Church Lane,

Marple,

Greater Manchester,

England,

SK6 7AY.

0161 427 3364