Recent articles

  • Friends of Glossop Old Band - 2020 draws

    2020 "Friends of Glossop Old Band" prize draw results below: March - There were 71 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £35.501st prize - 85 (£17.75)2nd prize - 99 (£10.65)3rd prize - 19 (£7.10)February - There were 71 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £35.501st prize - 73 (£17.75)2nd prize - 46 (£10.65)3rd prize - 116 (£7.10)January - There were 71 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £35.501st prize - 60 (£17.75)2nd prize - 32 (£10.65)3rd prize - 18 (£7.10)

  • IMPORTANT UPDATE - COVID-19

    Further to the recent advice from the government about Coronavirus, we have made the decision to cancel the remaining 2019/20 matinee concerts. We are sorry to disappoint our friends and audience, however your health and well-being is more important. We thank you for your continued support and understanding. Rehearsals are also suspended for the time being but if you wish to contact us about joining the band upon our return, please contact our Musical Director David W Ashworth via email at [email protected] in the strictest of confidence.

  • Sunday Matinee Concerts return!!

    The Sunday Matinee Concert Series returns on Sunday 1 September - 2.00-4.00pm 01/09/19 - The Fairey Band 08/09/19 - Stockport Silver Band 15/09/19 - Oughtibridge Brass Band 22/09/19 - Burbage Band (Buxton) 29/09/19 - Vernon Building Society (Poynton) Brass Band 06/10/19 - Flixton Band 13/10/19 - CANCELLED 20/10/19 - City of Chester Brass 27/10/19 - Besses o' th' Barn Band 03/11/19 - St John's Band - Mossley 10/11/19 - Glossop Old Band 17/11/19 - The Hepworth Band 24/11/19 - Huddersfield Brass Band 01/12/19 - Dove Holes Band 08/12/19 - The Diggle Band 15/12/19 - Glossop Old Band CHRISTMAS BREAK 12/01/20 - Cadishead Public Band 19/01/20 - Silk Brass Band 26/01/20 - Strata Brass 02/02/20 - The Regent Big Band 09/02/20 - Uppermill Band 16/02/20 - Tintwistle Band 23/02/20 - Arnfield Brass 01/03/20 - Friezland Brass Band 08/03/20 - Stretford Band 15/03/20 - Tideswell Band - CANCELLED (see home page) 22/03/20 - Trentham Brass Band - CANCELLED (see home page)29/03/20 - The Marple Band - CANCELLED (see home page)05/04/20 - The Hammonds Band - CANCELLED (see home page) If you would like any more information, please contact us at [email protected]

  • Friends of Glossop Old Band - 2019 draws

    2019 "Friends of Glossop Old Band" prize draw results below: December - There were 71 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £35.501st prize - 44 (£17.75)2nd prize - 61 (£10.65)3rd prize - 17 (£7.10)November - There were 73 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £36.501st prize - 24 (£18.25)2nd prize - 22 (£10.95)3rd prize - 9 (£7.30)October - There were 73 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £36.501st prize - 29 (£18.25)2nd prize - 58 (£10.95)3rd prize - 39 (£7.30)September - There were 73 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £36.501st prize - 49 (£18.25)2nd prize - 39 (£10.95)3rd prize - 51 (£7.30)August - There were 73 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £36.501st prize - 30 (£18.25)2nd prize - 4 (£10.95)3rd prize - 45 (£7.30)July - There were 82 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £41.001st prize - 39 (£20.50)2nd prize - 64 (£12.30)3rd prize - 100 (£8.20)June - There were 97 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £48.501st prize - 49 (£24.25)2nd prize - 18 (£14.55)3rd prize - 7 (£9.70) May - There were 99 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £49.501st prize - 17 (£24.75) 2nd prize - 32 (£14.85) 3rd prize - 34 (£9.90)April - There were 99 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £49.50 1st prize - 14 (£24.75) 2nd prize - 79 (£14.85) 3rd prize - 8 (£9.90) March - There were 99 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £49.501st prize - 85 (£24.75)2nd prize - 9 (£14.85)3rd prize - 37 (£9.90)February - There were 101 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £50.501st prize - 83 (£25.25)2nd prize - 14 (£15.15)3rd prize - 7 (£10.10)January - There were 102 numbers in the draw, so a prize fund of £51.001st prize - 26 (£25.50)2nd prize - 153 (£15.30)3rd prize - 61 (£10.20) If anyone has any questions - please contact us at [email protected]

  • Friends of Glossop Old Band - December 2018 draw

    The December 2018 "Friends of Glossop Old Band" prize draw has taken place. There were 123 numbers in this months draw, so a prize fund of £61.50 Winning numbers were:1st prize - 141 2nd prize - 3 3rd prize - 11

  • Friends of Glossop Old Band - November 2018 draw

    The November 2018 "Friends of Glossop Old Band" prize draw has taken place. There were 124 numbers in this months draw, so a prize fund of £62.00 Winning numbers were: 1st prize - 67 2nd prize - 18 3rd prize - 70

  • Friends of Glossop Old Band - October 2018 draw

    The October 2018 "Friends of Glossop Old Band" prize draw has taken place. There were 126 numbers in this months draw, so a prize fund of £63.00 Winning numbers were: 1st prize - 125 2nd prize - 130 3rd prize - 49

  • Friends of Glossop Old Band - August 2018 draw

    The August 2018 "Friends of Glossop Old Band" prize draw has taken place. There were 127 numbers in this months draw, so a prize fund of £63.50 Winning numbers were: 1st prize - 18 2nd prize - 13 3rd prize - 51

  • Friends of Glossop Old Band - September 2018 draw

    The September 2018 "Friends of Glossop Old Band" prize draw has taken place. There were 127 numbers in this months draw, so a prize fund of £63.50 Winning numbers were: 1st prize - 8 2nd prize - 41 3rd prize - 1

  • Friends of Glossop Old Band - July 2018 draw

    The July 2018 "Friends of Glossop Old Band" prize draw has taken place. There were 131 numbers in this months draw, so a prize fund of £65.50 Winning numbers were: 1st prize - 133 2nd prize - 47 3rd prize - 117
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Early years

Band History

Glossop is the town where the modern brass instrument valve system was invented, and the band is thought to have been formed sometime around 1830 when Glossop Original and the Whitfield Rifle Volunteers merged. Early contest success came under the baton of Alex Owen funded by a local businessman who in 1884 provided the bandroom, now a rehearsal room and thriving concert venue.

Subsequent sponsorship has been much harder to come by, though success has stayed with the band most of the time. During a highly rewarding period of 20 years under Barry Hinde in the 1960's 70's and early 80's, the band won many competitions and gained a still well deserved reputation for quality concert work. The band also played in the last Belle Vue Grand Shield. Further afield, the band has established an ongoing relationship with its own twin band in Bad Vilbel, Germany. Barry retired in 1986 due to poor health, but his good work was reflected when the band made its first visit to London in the second section finals in 1987


Financial problems within the management of the bandroom club, which was run as a separate organisation from the band, almost caused both of them to collapse in 1990 and unfortunately resulted in the departure of the conductor and many of the players. This situation continued for almost three years with playing members dropping to around eight by early 1993. Thanks mainly to the efforts of Ken Cant, a former player who has moved on to play with many top bands in both the UK and New Zealand, a full team was established in mid 1993. In November 1993, Jim Cant (Ken's older brother) was appointed as musical director and contesting re-started in early 1994 resulting in a two year period where the band was unbeaten in the fourteen Regional and Championship contests they entered.

Having been promoted to the championship section in the North West Association in 1997, success continued to follow Glossop, and in that year saw a victory in the inaugural Tameside Open Contest and runners up spots in several others, including the GMR Brass contest held in the BBC's Oxford Road Studio 7. The band qualified for the national finals in the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, playing first of twelve bands and gaining a very creditable fourth place. Following that, the band retained the Tameside Open title and won the second GMR Brass Championship held in Wigan, with tenor horn player Stuart Wilkinson also picking up the best soloist prize for a superb rendition of "Over the Rainbow." Prizes continue to come Glossop's way with the current tally standing at 33 prizes from 33 competitions since 1993, including 21 firsts, 8 seconds, 2 thirds and 2 fourths.

Following a successful application for Lottery funding through the Arts council, the band was awarded a grant which enabled them to purchase a full set of instruments for the junior training band.

The band has been through difficult times of late but in 2009 and 2010 competed in the Championship section where they were awarded 5th and 6th placing. The band is actively involved in the local community and is often used by local charities to play at fund raising events and, over the years, has helped to raise many thousands of pounds for worthy causes.

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Early years

Band History