Do you want to know what's happening? Are you far away...feeling homesick? Well then, 'Bridge' that Gap!
Welcome to Stalybridge
Online - 
Come on in and take a look at 'The Bridge'
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Do you want to know what's happening? Are you far away...feeling homesick? Well then, 'Bridge' that Gap!
Welcome to Stalybridge
Online - Come on in and take a look at 'The Bridge' |
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This site is best viewed using Internet Explorer.
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Stalybridge Brass Band
The oldest brass band in the world the Stalybridge Band was formed in 1809, with Thomas Avison , a clarinettist as the first conductor. The band room was in the garret of a shoe shop kept by Avisons father. By the end of 1814, the band numbered nineteen players with a mixture of wood-wind and brass. The first public engagement being 24th June, 1815 at the procession and foundation stone laying of the Chapel Street Sunday Schools, Stalybridge, Cheshire. The event was on the Saturday following the battle of Waterloo which was fought on Sunday 18th June, 1815. On Easter Monday, 1816, the Band numbered twenty-one performers and played in a new sky-blue uniform in an Oddfellows procession at Glossop, Derbyshire. The Stalybridge Band was involve in the Manchester Peterloo Massacre on January 14th 1819, and hastily beat the retreat from the battle. They had been booked to play for a political meeting which turned into the massacre. At a contest in Woverhampton on Easter Monday, 1859 the Band took first prize, the value being £15. Thomas Avison retired in about 1832 and the Band had several conductors between then and 1868 when Alexander Owen joined and conducted the Stalybridge Band for the first time at Burnley in 1868. The Band introduced him to contesting, in which he was to have so many remarkable successes. In the Stalybridge Band room to this day is the cornet and baton he won at Mossley in 1874. By 1880, John Gladney later to be known as the Father of Brass Bands was conductor at Stalybridge. He was a member of the Halle Orchestra and had only been with the Stalybridge Band three weeks when they were within an ace of winning first prize at Belle Vue, Manchester. From 1957 until 1964, Sam Sykes was the conductor. It was he who wrote the Bands signature march Ridgehill named after a district in the town of Stalybridge. Within three years, Sam Sykes took the band from being virtually a learners class to winning a prize at Mancesters Belle Vue contest. Please click on the image below to learn more about the Whit Friday Brass Band competitions.
Over its long history, the Band has had successes in the finest contests throughout Britain, one of the most notable being the winning of Second Section Championship in London, 1971. The Band were the North West Champions in 1977 and 1978. On four occasions the Band has been to Holland to the World Music Festival in Kerkrade, each time winning a Gold Medal First Prize. The Musical Director from 1965 to 1979 was Les Hine, who took the Band from the Fourth to the Championship Section. Between 1976 and 1980, the BBC Television broadcast a programme called Champion Brass on which the Band appeared. In 1981, the Band again won the National Championships Second Section under the baton of Ernest Woodhouse, the Musical Director from 1980 until 1986. Since 1981, the Band has been in the Championship Section and have played at some of the top venues in the country.
On February 14th 2000, the Band played at the Millennium Dome, London at the personal invitation of the Mayor of Tameside, councillor Frank Robinson. By the end of that year, the Band released its very first CD, entitled Tipperary. Although individual members change from time to time, the true spirit lives on as the Stalybridge Band plays on, well into the 21st century. |
There are several historical sites in Stalybridge and the surrounding areas.
| STAYLEY HALL
Stayley Hall is a near derelict, sixteenth Century, timber framed manor house and a Grade II* Listed Building, situated in a prominent position on an area of open land overlooking the Tame valley west of Millbrook village. It has been the Council's policy for many years that Stayley Hall, as a major historical asset to the Borough, should be suitably restored. |
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Methodism has at its roots John Wesley whose vision, determination and faith inspired fellow seekers to re-assess their lives and renew their relationship with God. John Wesley challenged the religious assumptions of his day, urging those to whom he preached to "trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation" for the assurance that we are all forgiven through Christ.
John Wesley visited Staley Hall in 1745. This is the commemorative tablet erected at Staley Hall at the time of John Wesley's visit.
It is probable that if the Hall is to be restored, the resource agency will come primarily from the private sector. Hotel, restaurant, conference, leisure and tourism uses are generally to be welcomed in Tameside and are appropriate for a building of this kind, provided its historical character and integrity are maintained and public access is available for educational and interpretative purposes.
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Bohemia Cottages Between 1700-1750 the villagers numbered no more than 140 at any one time,earning a living in a dual capacity as farmers and weavers. They lived in cottages such as those still existing at 'Bohemia', constructed in 1721. Some of them would have had loom-house attached where as many as six to eight spinners worked to supply one weaver.
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For further information please visit the Tameside Archaeological Society by clicking on this link to their website. http://www.tas-archaeology.org.uk/ |
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