Wardle Anderson Brass

Wardle Brass Band Association consists of Wardle & District Anderson Brass and Wardle Community Brass.

Anderson Brass (then called Wardle Section Band) was formed in 1990. At the time, it consisted of players from the Wardle Youth Band who, at 19, had become too old to play in youth competitions. Since then, the majority of the players have also been through the Wardle High School 'system'.

There was a time in the mid 1990's when the numbers in the band dwindled considerably, but it was decided that the members at the time would 'stick together' and thankfully this situation was only short-lived and the band have gone from strength to strength since.

The Anderson name comes from the ex-headmaster of Wardle High School, William, who is seen as being responsible for hundreds, maybe even thousands of children learning a brass instrument. After his death in 1997, it was decided to re-name the band in his honour due to the fact that it probably wouldn't have existed if it hadn't been for him. William's wife, Pam, became the president of the Association but has since had to relinquish this role when she moved away from the area. Rehearsals are still held at the school, as are many of the band's own concerts. The association are very grateful to Wardle High School for their continued support.

Also in 1997, the band were successful in obtaining a National Lottery grant. This enabled us to buy a whole set of brand new instruments and uniforms, and the old instruments were then used to set up beginners workshops for people in the community who wanted to learn how to play a brass instrument. That group now performs occasionally as Wardle Community Brass.

In the early years, the band started off in the 4th section, but quickly gained promotion to the 3rd and then the 2nd. Relegation back to the 3rd section followed where the band remained until 2002 when we were again relegated back to the 4th. That year we finished 2nd in the National Finals in Torquay in the 4th section. However the stay in the 4th section was a short one - in 2003 we gained promotion back to the 3rd section, but then confirmed this by winning the 4th section national championships in Dundee. This promoton took effect from January 2004. A further success followed in 2006 when the band were promoted to the 2nd Section following the 4th place at Blackpool in March - this promotion took effect from January 2007.

The first appearance in the 2nd section at the areas in March resulted in a 1st place and qualification for the National Finals again in Harrogate. Our 3rd appearance at the "Nationals" resulted in a very respectable 6th place. The success story didn't stop there though - the following year, 2008, we came 1st again at the areas resulting in not only another finals appearance but also promotion to the 1st section from Jan 09!

Wardle Community Brass was run virtually single-handedly by Mr Alan Rigg for several years. He took complete beginners and taught them the basics before integrating them with the main group. Alan left the group in May 2007 and was replaced by Mr Tom Hobson, a former Deputy Head at Wardle High School. There is a waiting list for new players, so if you are interested in joining the list, please submit your details via the contact us section.

RECENT CONTEST RESULTS

2ND SECTION

16/05/08 Whit Friday Contests - 1 first prize, 1 second prize and 1 2nd Best Local (out of 6)

30/03/08 Tameside Open Contest - 2nd (1st & 2nd Section combined)

09/03/08 NW Regionals, Blackpool - 1st (ensuring promotion to 1st Section wef Jan 09)

30/09/07 National Finals of Great Britain, Harrogate - 6th
01/06/07 Whit Friday Contests - 3 first prizes, 1 second prize and 2 Deportment (out of 7)
11/03/07 NW Regionals, Blackpool - 1st (1st contest back in the 2nd section)

3RD SECTION

04/11/06 Pontins Contest - 5th
09/07/06 Milnrow March & Hymn Contest - 3rd Music and 1st Deportment
09/06/06 Whit Friday Contests - 3 first prizes, 1 second prize and 1 Best Cornet (out of 5)
12/03/06 NW Regionals, Blackpool - 4th
29/10/05 Pontins Contest - 2nd
20/05/05 Whit Friday - 3x1st prizes, 1x2nd prize and 1 'Entertainment on the Street' (out of 7)
01/05/05 Buxton Contest - 2nd
03/04/05 Tameside Contest - 2nd
13/03/05 NW Regionals, Blackpool - 5th



Wardle Brass Band Association consists of Wardle & District Anderson Brass and Wardle Community Brass. Anderson Brass (then called Wardle Section Band) was formed in 1990. At the time, it consisted of players from the Wardle Youth Band who, at 19, had become too old to play in youth competitions. Since then, the majority of the players have also been through the Wardle High School 'system'. There was a time in the mid 1990's when the numbers in the band dwindled considerably, but it was decided that the members at the time would 'stick together' and thankfully this situation was only short-lived and the band have gone from strength to strength since. The Anderson name comes from the ex-headmaster of Wardle High School, William, who is seen as being responsible for hundreds, maybe even thousands of children learning a brass instrument. After his death in 1997, it was decided to re-name the band in his honour due to the fact that it probably wouldn't have existed if it hadn't been for him. William's wife, Pam, became the president of the Association but has since had to relinquish this role when she moved away from the area. Rehearsals are still held at the school, as are many of the band's own concerts. The association are very grateful to Wardle High School for their continued support. Also in 1997, the band were successful in obtaining a National Lottery grant. This enabled us to buy a whole set of brand new instruments and uniforms, and the old instruments were then used to set up beginners workshops for people in the community who wanted to learn how to play a brass instrument. That group now performs occasionally as Wardle Community Brass. In the early years, the band started off in the 4th section, but quickly gained promotion to the 3rd and then the 2nd. Relegation back to the 3rd section followed where the band remained until 2002 when we were again relegated back to the 4th. That year we finished 2nd in the National Finals in Torquay in the 4th section. However the stay in the 4th section was a short one - in 2003 we gained promotion back to the 3rd section, but then confirmed this by winning the 4th section national championships in Dundee. This promoton took effect from January 2004. A further success followed in 2006 when the band were promoted to the 2nd Section following the 4th place at Blackpool in March - this promotion took effect from January 2007. The first appearance in the 2nd section at the areas in March resulted in a 1st place and qualification for the National Finals again in Harrogate. Our 3rd appearance at the "Nationals" resulted in a very respectable 6th place. The success story didn't stop there though - the following year, 2008, we came 1st again at the areas resulting in not only another finals appearance but also promotion to the 1st section from Jan 09! Wardle Community Brass was run virtually single-handedly by Mr Alan Rigg for several years. He took complete beginners and taught them the basics before integrating them with the main group. Alan left the group in May 2007 and was replaced by Mr Tom Hobson, a former Deputy Head at Wardle High School. There is a waiting list for new players, so if you are interested in joining the list, please submit your details via the contact us section. RECENT CONTEST RESULTS 2ND SECTION *16/05/08 Whit Friday Contests - 1 first prize, 1 second prize and 1 2nd Best Local (out of 6)* *30/03/08 Tameside Open Contest - 2nd (1st & 2nd Section combined)* *09/03/08 NW Regionals, Blackpool - 1st (ensuring promotion to 1st Section wef Jan 09)* 30/09/07 National Finals of Great Britain, Harrogate - 6th 01/06/07 Whit Friday Contests - 3 first prizes, 1 second prize and 2 Deportment (out of 7) 11/03/07 NW Regionals, Blackpool - 1st (1st contest back in the 2nd section) 3RD SECTION 04/11/06 Pontins Contest - 5th 09/07/06 Milnrow March & Hymn Contest - 3rd Music and 1st Deportment 09/06/06 Whit Friday Contests - 3 first prizes, 1 second prize and 1 Best Cornet (out of 5) 12/03/06 NW Regionals, Blackpool - 4th 29/10/05 Pontins Contest - 2nd 20/05/05 Whit Friday - 3x1st prizes, 1x2nd prize and 1 'Entertainment on the Street' (out of 7) 01/05/05 Buxton Contest - 2nd 03/04/05 Tameside Contest - 2nd 13/03/05 NW Regionals, Blackpool - 5th			OFFICIALS *Musical Director - Sean Conway* *President - Cllr Ashley Dearnley* *Acting Chairman - Peter Bamber* *Secretary - Kath Day* *Treasurer - Jamie Butterworth* *Band Manager - Chris Clough* *Inventory Secretary - Peter Butterworth* *Social Secretary - Lindsay Marson* *EX PLAYERS (From 2004)* Aug 04 - Paul Sharp (Trombone) Mar 05 - Leanne Warren (Euphonium) Aug 05 - Lee Howson (Cornet) Aug 05 - Hannah Dunn (Baritone) Sep 05 - Terry Bayman (Timpani) Sep 05 - Alan Henry (Bass) Oct 05 - Andrew Gambles (Bass) Nov 05 - Rodney Wilson (Cornet) Dec 05 - Christine Longhurst (Flugel) Mar 06 - Rob Fuller (Bass) Jun 06 - Steven Scott (Percussion) Jul 06 - Steven Ward (Bass) Sep 06 - Nichola Stewardson (Horn) Nov 06 - Jill Aspray (Trombone) Jan 07 - Alan Henry (again!) (Bass) Jan 07 - Natalie Wilson (Cornet) Jan 07 - Chloe Diggle (Cornet) Jan 07 - Sarah Owen (Trombone) Apr 07 - Lisa Laws (Baritone) Apr 07 - Sarah Moroney (Baritone) Apr 07 - Jenny Clarke (Cornet) Sep 07 - Joanne Ward (Cornet) *Apr 08 - Mark Smith (Eb Bass)* *PREVIOUS CONDUCTORS* Estelle Flood (1990-1995) Alan Broadbent (1995-1996) Roy Ramsbottom (1996) Stuart Marshall (1996-1999) Colin Barnes (1999-2001) Phil Shaw (2001-2004) Sean Conway (2004-present) *PREVIOUS CHAIRMEN* Peter Schofield (1990-1995) Peter Bamber (1995-present) *PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS* Peter Schofield (1995-2003) Pam Anderson (2003-2005) Cllr Ashley Dearnley (2005-present) PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2004 John Whatmough (Euphonium). 2005 Sarah Owen (1st Trombone) 2006 Lindsay Marson (Soprano) 2007 - No Award Made BANDSMAN OF THE YEAR 2005 Jamie & Sue Butterworth (Joint) 2006 Chris Clough *2007 - No Award Made*