"Mereside Brass start the
Search For Andy "Bb" bass" 15th May 2010
Andy you are very much missed and the band are looking forward to your return. We all look forward to hearing from you soon!
"A Workshop with Jef
Sparkes" 26th March 2010
As part of the bands Vision for 2011 to develop the band with a view of contesting in March, Jef Sparkes kindly came down and helped Mereside Band. Jef who is the conductor of Championship Band Crewe Co-Op helped the Mereside improve and gave them all a few pointers to work on over the next twelve months. The band all enjoyed Jef's workshop and he left to a rapturous round of applause from all at Mereside Brass. Thanks Jef from all at the band.
http://www.unitedco-opbandcrewe.co.uk
"Annual Christmas Dinner and Awards Night" 20th December 2009
Mereside Brass enjoyed a great night of food and drink at their annual Christmas party and Awards Night 2009.
The first presentation was the Henry Ash Award for Bandsman of 2009. The award went to Roy Craig for his hard work and his commitment to always putting the band first. Thanks You Roy.
The second trophy was the Bill Lacey Award for most improved player of 2009. The award went to Megan Latta for her dedication to playing second baritone for Mereside Brass. Well done Megan.
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"A True Bandsman"
December 2009
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The band had some sad news recently that Henry Ash passed away. The band will miss him in the practice room and especially down the pub. Mereside Brass turned out at his funeral to say a goodbye to a great cornet player and friend, a true bandsman.
"Remembering Bill with a brass salute from friends" Warrington & Knutsford Guardian October 2009
More than 200 people bid a fond farewell to a well-loved man at a tribute concert. "It was a wonderful evening and a very special tribute to a very special man" Jean Lacey. The concert raised a massive £1214 for East Cheshire Hospice which was presented to two of the nurses that cared for Bill
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Henry Ash's 75th Birthday
August 2009
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Mereside Brass played and celebrated 3rd Cornet Player Henry Ash 75th Birthday playing at the Big Lock Middlewich. The band played right on the Canal to a packed Big Lock pub. A great concert and happy birthday Henry.
Whit Friday Marches June 2009
Mereside Brass took part in the famous Whit Friday Marches under their assistant conductor Lynne. The band played the March "The Cossack" at 7 venues across Saddleworth and Tameside. Although the weather was against the band they put in some fantastic performances and a great day was had by all. Enjoy our fun video of a wet day!
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In Memory of Mr William Lacey (Bill) 1928 - 2009
Mereside brass sadly lost one its finest members of the band. He was the kindest and most encouraging person, and always made you feel good even when you got it wrong. He was an asset to the brass band movement and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting him. We will all remember his kindness.
From all at Mereside Brass, Thank You Bill for choosing Mereside Brass to play with and grace all our lives.
Please go to Bills site and give generously to Cancer Research (click on the logo).
Germany Tour a Musical Success July 2008
Mereside Brass has returned from a tour of the Rhine Valley in Germany where they played 4 fantastic concerts. The concerts were loved by the German Public who commented on what a unique and beautiful sound a traditional British Brass Band is. All members of the band enjoyed it and are already talking about what next year will bring. The band also had the pleasure of accompanying a German Baritone Singer from the Guild Hall School of Music London, which brought real variety to the bands concerts.
Mike Phenton MD said "This tour has produced some wonderful brass playing and set an even stronger foundation for Mereside Brass's continued success".
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Brass Night Goes down a storm 6th February 2008
A Brass night for all the family proved to be a real success in Middlewich at the weekend. Mereside Brass played a concert at Middlewich Methodist church, in Booth Lane on Saturday night. Organiser Susie Treeton, church and community worker said "Mereside Brass played to a full house and they were even people on the balcony. The music was rousing and fantastic and everyone had a wonderful evening- so much so that we invited Mereside Brass back to do another concert at Christmas."
Mereside Brass move home 3rd August 2007
After 5 wonderful years rehearsing at Pickmere Village Hall the band has sadly had to move on. The band has grown in numbers so much that the room is no longer big enough.
The band has found a new home at Plumley Village Hall just down the road and would like to thank the people of Plumley and look forward to playing there.
Mereside Brass form Training Band 4th March 2007
Mereside brass will be forming a training band to build on the success of the senior band from 13th April 2007. If you have always fancied learning to play a musical instrument but have never had the chance, here is your chance. Mereside Brass Training Band will be led by assistant conductor Ian Turner and his team, with one objective to teach young and old to play a brass instrument for FREE.
Mereside
Brass gain support from Virgin Media 8th February 2007
After hearing about Mereside Brass and the great
work it has done over the last five years in the community, V
irgin
Media gave financial support for the next twelve months to the
band. To coincide with the launch of the biggest Virgin Company
in the world on the 8th February Mereside
Brass were proud to announce their link with the company.
The support came from the top of the
organisation by Steve Birch himself CEO of Virgin Media. Steve
seen below with Richard Branson on launch day 8th February recognised
the successes of Mereside Brass and felt their "thinking differently
philosophy" matched the same values as Virgin Media.
Steve Birch cannot wait to see Mereside Brass perform and said he will
be coming to see them soon.
Mike Phenton Musical Director of Mereside Brass explained how the money will help continue the work the band has done in the community and keep bringing brass to the heart of Cheshire. Mike went on to "Thank Steve and the Virgin Media Team for all their support".
"Brass at Christmas" The Guardian 20th December 2006
Children and staff at Middlewich nursery were treated to some rousing musical merriment on Monday. Members of Mereside Brass Band dropped in at Leaps and Bounds Day Nursery, in Booth Lane, to play traditional festive tunes for children to sing along with. Staff member Sarah Moore, whose dad is Mereside Brass's principal baritone Player, said "we all look forward to the band coming in-it always makes it feel like Christmas."
"A Busy Christmas 2006" December 2006
After playing all over Mid Cheshire this December bring Christmas to the Heart of Cheshire the band have received many letters to thank them for their performances. Here are a few of those letters and cards from St Lukes Hospice, Castle Methodist Church and Knutsford Town Council. (click the letters to enlarge)
"Come Join the band" The Guardian 25th October 2006
"Mereside Brass is preparing for its concert in November and currently has vacancies for second trombone and cornet players as well as percussionists.
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With Mike Phenton at the helm as new musical
director, the band has a full season of concerts ahead and accomplished
players are welcome to join the band for rehearsals at Pickmere Village
Hall from 8pm on Friday nights.
The next concert takes place at Victoria Hall in Holmes Chapel on Sunday, November 19.
Mereside Brass thank Albert Oldfield Musical Director 18th August 2006
When Albert Oldfield left the position
of Musical Director after over 3 very successful years the band and friends wanted to thank him. No gift could ever fully reflect the hard
work and dedication he has given
to
the band since he formed it, however the band managed to
find something that could at least say Thank you. In 2003 at a JPD
best kept station event in Helsby a painting of th
e
band was commissioned by one of Cheshire's top artists Bernice
Barrett-Brown. The band managed to obtain the original water
colour that has appeared in Cheshire Life and the book "The Baggin Man
Takes The Train". Albert was presented with the water colour
on the 18th August by Mike Phenton on behalf of the band. Thank you
Albert from all at Mereside Brass.
Mereside Brass appoint new Musical Director 4th August 2006
After over 3 successful years as Musical
Director and one of the founders of Mereside Brass Albert Oldfield sadly
decided to leave the position due to health reasons.
On the 4th August 2006 the band were pleased to announce the appointment
of Mike Phenton as their new Musical Director. Mike is an
extremely accomplished Trombone player and brings with him a vast amount
of banding and conducting experience. The Band are extremely
excited at his appointment and wish him every success in the future.
Teenager blows his own cornet for Easter 30th March 2005
"Cornet player Jonathan Probert,
of Sandringham Close, is spending a week on the 2005 Easter course of
the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. He blew the
competition away at an
audition held in November. The 14-year-old headed off to Harrogate on
Saturday to join the band, which
was founded in 1952. It gives gifted young brass instrumentalists
the opportunity to perform advanced music and receive high quality
teaching. Jonathan, a pupil at the County High School
Leftwich, has been playing the cornet since he was nine years old and
has just achieved his grade seven qualification with distinction.
This musical marvel is principal cornet for the Pickmere-based JPD Mereside brass band".
The Guardian Series, 15th October 2003
"There was standing room only when JPD Mereside Brass entertained a packed Castle Methodist Church at a fund raising concert. 13 year old cornet player Jonathan Probert was the star of the show.
The congregation sang along to well known hymns and trombonist Mike Phenton's solo of Angels Guard Thee received an ovation"
The Chronicle Series, 4th February 2004
"Under the direction of Albert Oldfield, the band lifted the roof with two hours of entertainment, including numbers Somewhere over the Rainbow and Silent Worship. The Mereside Young Brass gave a performance and the audience san along to a selection of Cliff Richard's favourites."
Passing Comment...
Judy Popley - Arley Hall & Gardens
"...there was certainly a garden party atmosphere on Sunday with literally hundreds of people sitting out listening to the Mereside Brass Band on the Furlong Walk. The Pimms sold well too!"
Clr Val Godfrey, Mayor, Vale Royal Borough Council
"What an experience. Visting Helsby railway station and being welcomed by a brass band. Volunteers at their best"
Judy Povet, Regional Fundraiser, Barnardo's
"Many thanks to JPD Mereside Brass and Plumley Village for donating the proceeds of the Station House Carol Singing to Barnardo's. It was a marvellous evening"
Blowing our own trumpet...
A Captains' Commendation. Music to one's ears. Salvation Army Citadel, Chester
The bandstand. People sit. Notes are compared. Chester at its best...The Groves, Chester
"A wonderful complement to Tony & Rachel's Wedding"Willington Hall Hotel, 14th June 2003
A wonderful performance, can you come back next year? Arley Hall Estate
"A evening with JPD Mereside Brass" Much more than a brass band concert. Plumley Methodist Church