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  1. Transatlantic Brass

    Fantastic concert keep up the good work

    Stephen

  2. I'd just like to say what a great effort you made at the All Masters in Kettering today, where I was working as a volunteer usher. It was a fantastic performance, but unfortunately no prizes this time. I support Wingates because my grandfather Ben Byers and 4 of his brothers played for Wingates many years ago. Hope to see some of you again in December for the Pretoria Memorial events. Keep up the good work!

  3. Well done guys.

    Just heard you all on BBC's Listen To The Band.

  4. All,

    I just read the 4BR retrospective from Blackpool and it seemed you played a blinder 'Wingates back to their best for the first time in quite a while'...

    So congratulations on a great performance - build on it and make sure you get a good result in the Grand Shield!!!

    ...but commiserations on missing out again - I feel frustrated and I didnt even play!

    Keep up the good work!

    cheers

    Andy

  5. I beleive from people on the ground that you all played great.

    Well done to all.

    Graeme

  6. Best of luck to you all this Sunday. Really hope you get the result that this great band deserves!

  7. Sympathies to Freda & Family

    John ( Montreal )

  8. It was with great shock and sadness to learn of Mike's passing. Mike and I go back a long, long way.

    I was an apprentice draftsman at Denis Ferranti's in Royton when Mike was my section leader. We both came to Canada within a year of each other in the 60's and worked together until Mike and Freda returned to the UK in '73.

    I have great memories that will stay with me forever, car crashes together, rally mishaps together, spagetti dinners together, and of course the nights out in Montreal.

    Freda, thanks for working so hard to find my telephone number, you knew that I would have to know.

    From all of us in Canada that had the pleasure of knowing Mike, Freda, please accept our deepest and dearest sympathy.

    Dave and Barb.

  9. God bless Mike.

    My prayers go out to Freda and family.

  10. Joan and I were saddened to hear from Freda the very sad news of the death of our dear friend Michael. Although we are now in Worthing and have not seen Michael or Freda for some time, they were in our thoughts. In August 1957 Michael and I first met as new apprentices at Ferranti in Hollinwood and struck up an immediate relationship that has endured. Not being a "brass bander" myself, but loved the music and the sound, Michael used to drag me out early christmas mornings with his then band, Lees and Glodwick in Oldham, so I could go round with a collecting box whilst the band played carols, I still love that sound today.

    I have been sat here since hearing the sad news and thinking of the many good and happy times we had together before we were married, and since then as families before Michael and Freda emigrated to Canada. I always think Michael missed the "brass bands" in Canada so much that the family returned to live in the Chorley area and Wingates Band became the beneficiary of a very talented and likeable character!

    I have been reminiscing this week of the lovely stories and memories we have of Michael, from his motor bike and sidecar days and often eventful trips to the Lake District, the Wolsey car he and I bought for £48 and other stories too many to mention here.

    We will miss him greatly.

    Vincent and Joan Procter

  11. Just heard the sad news. Mike was such a genuine and generous man and a great supporter of the band. Obviously he will be greatly missed but fondly remembered by everyone. Our thoughts and love go out to Freda. Thinking of you all.

    Andy & Emma

  12. Hi to you all

    wish you all the best for the 2010 season. see you at Victoria Hall soon, keep up the good work.

    ps

    Any chance of a photo of the band at Victoria Hall to put up on display

    many thanks

    Stephen

  13. Congratulations Lucy on your 4barsrest award, that's fantastic news and much deserved. So, well done very talented Lady and have a terific 2010.

    Peter.

  14. Congratulations Lucy on winning the 4barsrest award for best newcomer.

    A great achievement and very much deserved. You have a great talent and are such an asset and inspiration to the band. Hope 2010 is as good to you also

    Graeme

  15. CONGRATULATIONS LUCY!

    Just seen that she has won newcomer of the year on 4BR (see here: http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2009/1088.asp)

    Well done - it's thoroughly deserved!

    Happy New Year!

    Andy

  16. Merry Christmas from sunny Florida. I hear it's so cold in the Bolton area, that your brass bits are in danger.

    Having said that, the temperature in this part of Florida is going all the way down to the 50's during the night and only getting up to the low 70's during the day brrr!!

    Take care everyone,especially on the roads, and have a great Christmas.

    Peter & Pauline.

  17. To all at Wingates,

    just thought I'd drop a line to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

    Hope you have a settled team and all the best on the contest and concert front in 2010.

    sock it to 'em!

    your friend always

    Andy

  18. i was at the conert on sunday night wot a fantastic concert really enjoyed your programe i play flugel horn with florence brass so really enjoyed ed hey jude all your plays are very tatented wish you all the sucess in the furture

    hpoe to come and see another concert of your

    becky brookes

  19. Concert: Victoria Hall, Stoke on Trent with Audley Male Voice Choir 18/10/09

    CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BAND on their performance last night.We thoroughly enjoyed your programme and playing. Please pass this message to your members and Conductor.

    Thanks again.

    Best wishes

    Philip.

    Philip Broadhurst MBE

    CONDUCTOR AUDLEY MVC

  20. In all successful organizations, there are always people behind the scenes who give up their own time and work long hours to help that organization rise to the top and stay there. They are the unsung heros. I would like to bring one of those heros, or in this case, heroines, front and centre. Sue MacDonald. Sue, wears a few hats for the band. She is the secretary, webmaster and plays 3rd cornet in the band, and possibly does a lot more that I don't know about. I would not be surprised if there was also a "proper job" in there somewhere. Not to belittle your other duties for the band Sue, but I would like to thank you for all the work you are doing on the website. It is, after all, the worlds window on the band and I think you are doing a terrific job of building the new website. Thank you Sue, for all your hard work. Peter.

  21. I have, for the first time, listened to your new CD "Extremes" and found it excellent. Over 77 minutes of great music.

    I also hear that you wowed the audience at Hyde Town Hall and then at Victoria Hall, Bolton where the 3 hour concert went down really well with the 800+ audience.

    Thank you all for sharing your musical talents and coming together as a group of wonderful people that is Wingates Band.

  22. We went to the Victoria in Bolton last Saturday night to listen to the Rosemere AOS and Wingates Band,we did not know Mark Peacock was the leader, they were superb,Mark has a good rapport with his band and with the audience,we really enjoyed the evening.

    Will you please pass on our thanks to him and the band.

  23. Subject: CONCERT ON SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER-HYDE TOWN HALL

    I would just like to let you know how much we appreciated the amount of work the Wingates put into the concert on Saturday to make the evening a success. The band are such perfectionists and a delight to listen to and the response we received from the audience as they were leaving that evening was one of sheer delight. The sound of music of that quality raises every ones spirits.

    Please pass on our grateful thanks to all members of the band and Mark Peacock who were superb. We look forward to working with you once again at one of our future concerts.

    Warm regards

    Ann

  24. Re: Magic of Music concert (3/10/09) ...

    I'm sure that New Rosemere's ctte will have made formal thanks for your input into the concert but as an ordinary member of their concert choir ,I felt that I must add my personal congratulations. It was pure joy listening to the band - the music was terrific and I'll never forget Sandman & Tico Tico!! What fun!!! BRILL !!!!The audience certaily got excellent value for moneyDavid Butcher

  25. Great job with the website sue!

  26. Congratulations Andy on your MA

  27. Congratulations Lucy on your two new compositions for tenor horn, "Thunk" and "Secret Hymn." I look forward to hearing them.

  28. Just to say hi. My late brother John played with Wingates many years ago.

  29. I lived in Westhoughton from 1948 to 1961. My parents had the newsagents on Church Street and Jack Eckersley the conductor of Wingates Temperance Band lived across the road in Lord St. Those years were my earliest memories of brass bands, and as a teenager I went to the occasional dances held at the Band Room. I still have that deep love of brass band music and it can bring me to tears within seconds when I hear it. I’ve lived in Australia for 44 years now, and if you asked me what one thing about England I missed deeply, without hesitation it would be “brass bands, preferably played outdoors”! On visits to the UK I’ve managed to get to the Kirkby Lonsdale Brass Band competition, and the Hardraw Force event. On one occasion walking in the Yorkshire Dales we came over a hill and looking down into a small village we saw and heard a brass band playing – I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven!! I’ve got something to look forward to though, we’ve got the Black Dyke Band playing here in Canberra on 12th August and I’ll be there. Till then I’ll have to be content with listening to Phillip McCann on CD – I’ve already introduced our 18-month old grand-daughter Sophia to it.

    regards

    Marian Young

  30. Hi Guys, all the best for The English Nationals next week. I want to get there, transport permitting, to take pics. Keep up the good name of Wingates.

  31. Thats more like, very proud, smile:-)

  32. At last.. you got what you deserved... Great result at Cambridge... Just remember; you know you can do it!!

  33. Hello Wingates Brass Band,

    I am a member of Sefton Schools Brass Band and Sefton Schools Brass Ensemble, we did a concert with you in Southport Floral Hall in March. I would just like to say what an experience it was playing alongside you. By the way, i play an Eb Bass and was sta next to a wonderfull chap.

    Thanks for the oppertunity!

  34. Since it looks as though we'll be starting some type of relationship, I thought it best to look at the website. Very impressive...looks a happy group (or really good actors). Enjoyed all the areas to visit in order to learn about the band. Having a trombone player for a bandmaster fits real good and the picture of his trombone on the piano shows me he plays a real trombone like us ol' Hollywood guys. Nothing personal to the "F" attachment.:) but I was impressed nonetheless.

    Here's to a great year for your band and all the audiences you will be able to give the gift of your playing to. I've always been thankful for the listener, they've given me a 40+ year career.

    Cheers with added

    peace and great thoughts,

    Bill Broughton

  35. Hi Band,

    I just visited the new website (good work Sue) and it is looking great. I am still around and still featuring the band from time to time on my programme. " Frolic " still a CD I listen to lots privately as well. Congrats on recent success and I look forward to more contact with you on 2009. Best wishes to you all and a special G'Day to David Kaye .

    Geoff

    Australia

  36. Well done to you Peter for winning Player of the Year on 4BR.

    And so rightly deserved too.

    You are SO famous now, I need your autograph when we are back at band!

    Phil

  37. Hi

    Came to hear you in Aug.2008 + Houghton Weavers, at The Barn Horwich ,while I was on holiday in Lancs.from Capetown S.Africa. Loved the sound of the band.It was a real treat.

    Thank you!

    Wish you all more success in the future!

    Mrs.E.Taylor.


  38. What an absolute joy to see you've signed my good friend Chris Reedy. The guys an absolute gentlman and the band will flourish having him in the bass ranks which must already be an awsome section. All the very best from me in 2009 Wingates. Hello to my good friend Graeme Hall.

  39. Andy McDonald asked me to have a look at your website, very nice! Nice to see the band doing well and I hope you go from strngth to strength. All the best for the future.

  40. Oxford will never be the same after Wingates won the people over with their playing last night. Getting back to Wingates at around 2am goes far beyond the call of duty!

    Thanks for all your efforts and I just hope (a) that David Kaye saw a few overs at Lords today and (b) you al had some sleep.

    The North Wall even gave me a free glass of wine after I corrected two mistakes in their orginal adverts for the band!

    Peter Hewis.

  41. A big thank you to everyone for the hard work over the past few months - Enjoy your break!

  42. What an amazing first half of the year the band has had. It is great to see this great band going from strength to strength under Andrew Berryman.

    My congratulations to the whole band on what must be a staggering work rate - you deserve every success!

    ...just sorry my personal commitments prevent me from being a part of it.

    A special thank you to the back room team who keep the band running - you know who you are and you deserve the biggest congrats of all for selfless service to a great institution!

    Long may you prosper as a band!

    You friend always

    Andy Wyatt

  43. Thanks for the great performance at the Nyman festival in London. All the items were good but the highlights for me were:

    1. The moving arrangement of "If", written as a tribute to Anne Frank and played by Michael Nyman on the piano and Peter Moore on the trombone. Is there any chance that you can record it on a Wingates CD? It would be a real coup to have Michael Nyman playing.

    2. Nyman's new piece paying tribute to all those who fought for a Retirement Pension.

    Keep up the good work and I'll hear you again in Oxford.

  44. Great website and a good idea including former players even though you are missing a few (I could provide a list of the band from 1996-1999 ish if you wanted).

    Good to see the band going from strength to strength.

  45. Well Done!, Peter.

    Have listened to you twice at Stroud, in Gloucestershire. Firstly with Dobcross Silver Band, and then with Wingates.

    What a pity the BBC coverage of the event was so abysmal!

    Wingates are due to perform at Stroud next May. Hope you will be there.

  46. Well done Peter , you are a credit to young people, and also a fine musician . Keep up the good work, and dont get distracted . It is better to have a career in music, as you dont get your hands dirty. Once again well done and enjoy this year.

  47. The performance was wonderful and as you dominance over [aalaalt] thing from the proficiency enjoys in complete on [aalaalt] all respect and the estimate for the diligent playing

  48. hi

  49. Well Done Peter. What a truly outstanding performance.

    From all your friends in Hyde Band.

  50. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1947195/Boy%2C-12%2C-is-youngest-ever-BBC-musician-of-year.html#continue

    Read all about it!

  51. Massive congratulations to Peter on winning Young Musician from his friends back in Belfast. This is a phenomenal achievement. Really well done, keep up the great work and most of all, enjoy your playing future,

    Amanda & Don - Laganvale Band

  52. Csn I just say a massive WELL DONE to Peter for his superb playin and getting the prestigious Young Musician award. Having been a 'bandswoman' some 40 years and also have a degree in music, (where I resisted my lecturer's wish for me to change to French horn to Tenor Horn) I took my 10 yr old son who also plays 3rd cornet down to Cardiff to support all the young talent (but most of all Peter!) He has proved an inspiration to my son - being a similar age. NOt only this but I hope his win may well have eradicated the age old stigma amonst so called 'professional' musicians of brass bandsman being 2nd class musicians who just entertain the 'tramps & dogs' in the park on a Sunday. I thought when they were plugging what a 'priveledge' it was for the young players to play in such a wonderful hall in front of a 'full' professional orchestra - ' I bet that boy has been playing in contests and concerts in venues just as grand as that for years'! As for the 'professional' orches!

    tra - they couldn't hold a candle to a championship band! Indeed Peter was the only one who could assert his position as soloist above them - the other finalists struggled to make themselves heard - they were not at all sympathetic in accompanying - they obviously don't employ the band strategy of 'one man to a part' when having to play ppp - accompanying the delicate yet superb strains of the classical guitar for example! Anyway I just need to get that of f my chest - for once I feel the talent nurtured in banding has won over true classical musicians - WELL DONE PETER - 2008 BBC YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THEYEAR and exemplary ambassador for BANDING - Keep it up!!Joy Newbould (Tenor Horn player - whats that??)

  53. Your band, and Peter's family (the same thing I think) must be truly proud of his achievement. As a fellow bandsman, a mere 66 year old flugel player, I was close to tears at the end of the performance and could not have been more proud if Peter were my own son. ( grandson may be more feasible.) His control of the instrument and the musicality he brought to the piece were commented on by my brass band hating wife; praise indeed. Regards and good luck for the future

  54. Please pass on my congratulations to Peter on winning the Young Musician of the Year competition. It was a privilege to listen to him and I hope his performances will inspire other youngsters to take up brass instruments. Peter BetleyBrass TeacherGutersloh Music CentreKing's SchoolGuterslohGermany

  55. I would like to pass on my sincerest congratulations to Peter Moore on his fantastic achievement in becoming BBC Young Musician of the Year.Wonderful performance from a very personable young man.

  56. Please pass on my congratulations and those of Muriel to Peter Moore and all the family. Well deserved, a great performance.Roy Newsome

  57. Well done Peter on showing the world that Brass is alive and kicking.

    I hope to buy you the first orange (coke) at the band room.

  58. What a fantastic week for Peter !

    This week we have had the extreme pleasure of seeing Peter win the group he was entered in for the BBC's Young Musician of the Year competition. It was no surprise to us that he won through to the Grand Final - but it was so good to watch it actually happen on TV. I well remember Graeme's infectious enthusiasm in describing how good the little guy was a couple of years ago, as we made arrangements for the Band to be with us in the Isle of Man. How right you were !

    Tonight Jean and I actually shouted like a couple of lunatics - with sheer delight - as Peter won the Grand Final too - and he is now Young Musician of the Year. (Much more important than Manchester United becoming Champions of the Premiership League)

    Having heard Peter playing as a soloist with Wingates in our concert with you, (in the Isle of Man) - we are thrilled and delighted that his incredible talent has been recognised and rewarded by the finest judges in the land. As Secretary of the Warrington Male Voice Choir I am delighted to pass on to Peter - which must be via your web sit as we do not have an e-mail address to contact him direct - the most sincere congratulations of everyone connected with the choir, at his success.

    It is nice to be associated with Wingates - and every success they achieve - individually or collectively - strengthens the bond.

    we look forward to our next engagement with you !

  59. excellent playing young man, gary was right your mega!!!

  60. Just knock-out Pete !!

    You did what you do best play totally exquisitely. Bravo and tv interviews - no bother to you. Me thinks the whole Moore family circle will be on that 7th heaven for quite a while. Oh and I bet Andy B. has a gigantic smile - Bravo to you also.

  61. Congratulations to Peter Moore on winning the Young Musician of the Year. Truely amazing playing. Grenville & Jane you must be so proud.

    Mark & Jacklin

    1st Old Boys

  62. Congratulations on winning Young Musician of the Year 2008 Peter!

    We heard your performance in the category final and were blown away by it.

    Well done - couldn't have happened to a nicer person!

  63. Many congratulations to Peter Moore on his excellent performances in the BBC young musician of the year competition. When we heard him in Stroud last year we felt sure that he would do well. We look forward to seeing him back in Stroud next year and we hope he will bring his trophy to show us. Well done Peter and all your supporting family and friends.

  64. Great news! Well Done Peter

    I guess I'll hear all about it from your Grand-father at Thursday night's rehearsal

    Helen Parker

    (Accompanist - Warley Male Choir, Solo Trom - Langley Band)

  65. Congratulations to Peter Moore on being named BBC TV Young Musician of the Year 2008, the youngest ever winner.

    Prodigy is a word that is used all too often, in my opinion, but can truly describe Peter.

    Well done, Peter, and we look forward to hearing much more of you in the months and years to come.

  66. Congratulations to Peter.

    Incredible to hear such a mature performance from such a young man.

    Very well done and i'm sure the banding world (but more importantly the music world in general) will be hearing lots more from you in the future

    Chris Larder

  67. Well done Peter on your win!

    May you go on to fulfill all of your dreams.

  68. Congratulations to Peter Moore! absolutely thrilled to see a brass player win.

    fantastic performance, look forward to hearing much more of him in the future.

    Ian Raisbeck

  69. Peter, after your fantastic win you must feel on the top of the world. We watch your achevements from afar and hope to see you up close in September at Manchester.

    Many Congratulations.

  70. Well done to Peter, what an awesome performance!!! A mature musician in a 12 year old body. Also a great plug for brass, the trombone and banding ... in that order! Oh, and what an extremely modest and personable young man ... long may that continue!!! :o)

  71. Many congratulations to Peter Moore for a brilliant performance and a well deserve win (Young Musician of the Year). Inspiring!

    Ray Farr

  72. I'm first trombone at the halle youth and I just watched Peter's truimph at the young musician minutes ago, I'm absolutely thrilled that he's won, he's done brass players and trombone players proud and that Sang Lil Lotta was truly brilliant.

  73. Hi Guys, I'll be with you in spirit at Blackpool on Saturday.

  74. Peter, we are thrilled for you reaching the final and wish you well in Wales this weekend.

  75. Well done to young Peter on his triumph at the brass section of young musician of the year!

    I wish you all the best for the final,I have no doubt you are a winner.

  76. All West Yorkshire Police leave has been cancelled for the day that Wingates return to Morley Town Hall. When the Morley audience have listened to Little Mozart's performance on BBC4 tonight, the Police mounted division will be required to keep the crowds back for the next Wingates concert.

  77. hello, you have a great hompage. i hope everthing is fine in england.see you. greating from swizerland bye simon estermann

  78. Hello!

    Lovely sexy website Sue! Keep up the hard work!

    :-)

    xx

  79. Looks great, Mr.B

  80. Well done Emily and Liz. When most of the focus is on other people in the band it is a pleasant surprise when you see that we have other talented people in the band.

    Do we have others in the band that have been keeping a low profile?

  81. Great pages but on my Apple Mac the historic photos of the band overlap the text - it might be my computer.

    I look forward to your Oxford visit and it is the first time for years a top band has visited although Kidlington Band give regular concerts in their village. Unfortunately your visit will be during the University vacation but I hope to persuade some members of the Music Faculty or graduate students to attend so can you play at least one original piece written for Brass Band? Elgar/ Holst/Ireland Geehl/Bantock/Bliss/Howells or a more recent composer like Nyman?

  82. Hi Sue

    This is looking great. Well done.

  83. Hi everyone,

    Hope you like the new site. Please bear with me as I add more things and tweak some pages!

    Sue x

  84. Great looking website Sue.

    Really enjoyed the concert at Thwaites, see you all at Blackpool and good luck.

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