On behalf of Garforth Brass, the MD, Steven Bailey, would like to announce the following:
On 7 March 2009 Garforth Brass became the Yorkshire Brass Band Regional Champions of the 3rd Section at St George’s Hall in Bradford and therefore, will proudly go forth to represent Yorkshire in the National Finals at Harrogate on September 27 2009. They will be promoted to the 2nd Section in January 2010.
The Band was only formed in 2005 and, in such a short length of time, they have represented Yorkshire in the National Finals of Great Britain on 3 occasions, coming 2nd in September 2005, which is something the Band and the local area should be truly proud of.
Councillor Mark Dobson
They are an entirely self-funding organisation and also a registered charity. Most of the Band funds are earned by busking at Christmas time and this money has to be used to run the band throughout the year to purchase instruments, music, uniforms, coach travel, etc. The Band are, therefore, delighted to receive a cheque for the sum of £1000 from Councillor Mark Dobson who added the following:
“I am delighted to actively support the Band and realise the importance of having such a successful band in the Garforth and Swillington area. I will be there to support them at the finals in Harrogate and, I wish them every success on that day”.
This donation will enable the Band to purchase a Sovereign Tenor Horn and assist in their quest to win the title of ‘National Champions of Great Britain‘ in the September contest.
The Band look forward to receiving further support from the local Council and hold a debt of gratitude to the local people who have had to ‘dig deep’ during this recession and have helped to fund the Band. Of course, the Band would be delighted to accept any form of sponsorship whatsoever from local businesses.
During the past few years, most mining bands have ceased to exist and it is refreshing that there is a new brass band bucking this decline! Indeed, they are a band that the whole of the local area should be proud of.”
Steven Bailey
29 March 2009
