Marsden Silver back on form with Local Champions win

MEMBERS of a Marsden band are blowing their own trumpets after winning £750 in a competition.

Marsden Silver Band came first in the Local Champions award category at Saddleworth and Oldham’s Whit Friday brass band contests last month.

Alan Widdop, musical director of the band, said: “It means everything to have won this.

“The brass band league works like football and, after the previous musical director left, we sadly lost our championship status. This win not only means we regain that, but it also boosts our reputation and means that we can perhaps attract new members.

“The money will come in extremely handy and will go towards covering our expenses for the next competition.”

More than 100 bands from all over the world competed in various categories.

To compete in the local champions award category, which was sponsored by housebuilder Redrow, bands had to be based within an eight-mile radius of Uppermill village in Saddleworth. Shown with a £750 cheque presented to Marsden Silver Band for winning the Local Champions award at the Whit Friday contest are: Redrow’s Michael Deagan and Lorraine Moores with musical director Alan Widdop, principle cornet player Jason Evans and principle baritone player David Bracegirdle