News Archive 2015

24th December 2015

Carols for Jenny

At 1:30 pm on Christmas Eve afternoon members of the band made a surprise visit to a recently retired member of the band. Jenny Bradley had played second cornet with the band for a number of years and was the oldest serving member. However poor health had forced Jenny reluctantly to retire.

So the band decided that as Jenny couldn't come to any of their Christmas engagements, then the band would go to her. They surprised her by playing outside her home and gave a rendition of several carols and Christmas pieces.

After playing the band were kindly treated to mulled wine and mince pies by Jenny's family.

Conductor, John Cowking, also presented Jenny with a letter granting her life membership to the band.

9th November 2015

New Website Launched

Slaidburn Silver Band is pleased to announce a new website that went live on Sunday 8th November 2015.

The main new and interesting feature is the introduction of a picture gallery. A small selection of photographs, taken over more than 100 years, can be accessed from the main bar, above, by hovering over 'Gallery' and then selecting a decade to view. Whilst every care has been taken to correctly attribute each photograph, there may be some unintentional errors. If you identify any problems, then please use the 'Contact' form to inform us.

A second new feature is the introduction of this 'News' section. It is intended that news of events attended, changes or items of important/particular significance will be placed here.

A new list of current members has been added and can found under 'About'.

The 'Engagements' pages have been redesigned and upgraded. You will be able to find the band's planned engagements. It is possible that some may be private and not open for the general public to attend, but this will be made clear in the description.

Also under 'About' you will find a brief history of the band and a copy of 'A Means of Enlivening the Community'.

We hope that you will enjoy the fresh appearance of this new site and follow the band's activities both online and when they perform live. In this age of online music it is vital to 'keep music live' - fluffs and all.

John Cowking, conductor of the band, is awarded the British Empire Medal for services to music in the Hodder Valley.

John took up the post of Conductor in 1972 at the age of sixteen and was previously a trombone player with the band. In 2012 a concert was held at Newton Village Hall to mark John's 40th anniversary as conductor, which included pieces from the first concert he conducted. John is also the organist of Slaidburn Parish Church and coincidentally celebrates forty years in that position later this year.

The Investiture will take place in April at Lancaster Castle. John will be presented with his medal by Lord Shuttleworth, KCVO, Her Majesty's representative in the County. John and his wife Alison will also be invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May.

1st January 2015

John gets B.E.M.