The History of Uppermill Band
Uppermill Band originates from the village of Uppermill, Saddleworth in the foothills of the Pennines straddling Lancashire and Yorkshire, hence the red and white roses on their badge.
The band was formed
in March 1979 initially as a Youth Band. Following its registration
as a Fourth Section Band it enjoyed a very successful period on the
Contest arena culminating in two consecutive qualifications to the
National Finals in 1988 and 1989 held in London, both from third
place at the area championships. Promotion to the Third Section
followed.
At this stage the Band had 6 of its young players
in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. The Band was a
victim of its own success losing players to higher section bands and
several players continuing their studies at University and the band
found itself back in the fourth section as a result.
Over the next few years, Uppermill remained a hard working and friendly band under Jim Hunter and regulars at the Pontins and Whit Friday contests to name but a few.
In 2004, the band's 25th anniversary year, Simon Wood took the band to the Areas in Blackpool and qualification for the National Finals resulted.
That
appearance in Harrogate was under Alan Widdop who replaced Simon when
he had to step down due to other commitments, and the band came ninth
but perhaps some experience was gained, and over the next two and a
half years a pattern of consistency began to emerge of placings at
Whit Friday and other contests and some considerable prize money
won.
Over the next few years, six wins in a row at the Holme Valley contest, a hat trick of wins at Pontins, several sectional and individual awards, and appearances at the Nationals in 2007 and 2008 culminated in promotion to the third section and, as a result of good performances at the Areas, to the second section effective from January 2011.
Uppermill band continues to remain a friendly and stable band and, as the band is unsponored, very hard working as a result, especially over the Christmas carolling period.
The band now has the luxury of having it’s own band room with appropriate storage facilities after having to endure some years of a nomadic existence.
