Thursday, 02 July 2009
Over 430 people flocked to Park Road Gardens in Grange to hear a special 80th Anniversary Concert given by the World Famous Besses o’ th’ Barn Brass Band from Whitefield, near Bury.. The Band were invited to play at the official opening of the Gardens in 1929 and returned on Sunday as special guests to help to celebrate this Anniversary. They entertained the audience with a varied programme including three pieces which were on the 1929 programme. The finale was a “Last Night of the Proms” theme with Jerusalem, Sea Songs arranged by Henry Wood and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance No.1 (Land of Hope and Glory). An exciting and rousing end to a superb afternoon concert.
The Mayor, Councillor Jane Strawbridge, in a beautiful 1920’s dress and hat, thanked The Band and everyone who had worked to make the week of events so enjoyable. She hoped it wouldn’t be another 80 years before the Band returned to play in Grange’s elegant, Edwardian Bandstand. The Conductor, Carl Whiteoak, said that they felt privileged to play in such a beautiful setting and really looked forward to returning to Grange.
In the evening the Band moved on to the Victoria Hall to take part in a “Songs of Praise” organised by Churches Together in Grange.