Over the summer a group of band members have been working tirelessly to improve our band room and the results are absolutely magnificent. Gone are the old dusty floors, windows full of cobwebs and broken glass, old carpets, poor lighting and the terrible acoustics. We now have a room to be proud of that should help us to improve and also allow us to attract new players. It’s been hard work but totally worth the effort. Have a look at the photos and see for yourselves.

Now that we have resumed rehearsals in our freshly refurbished band room we welcome interest from new players. In particular we are looking for additional an cornet, baritone and tuned percussionist. See our advert below.

2022 will see the band celebrate it’s 40th anniversary and coincidentally the 30th anniversary of its association with the Co op.

Formed in 1982 with a small ensemble of nine players a merger with the ailing Orwell Band then allowed the group to form a complete Brass Band and join the contesting ranks. After 10 successful years and progression through the ranks to the 2nd Section the invaluable support from the Ipswich Co op began in 1992. This has continued under the Ipswich & Norwich Co op and now the East of England and long may it continue. The band is now a well established 1st Section band and has progressed to the Championship section on four occasions.

A full history of the band and a compendium of players, stories and photographs is being prepared as part of our plans for the 2022 anniversary along with a number of events which include the commission of a new composition for the band to use as an opener for our concerts, a new recording and culminating in a massed band concert to be held on 19th November 2022 in the Ipswich area.

We would obviously love as many past members of the band to come and join us on that date for an afternoon rehearsal followed by an evening concert. We will be writing to everyone that we can contact with the invitation and details but if anyone wants to get in touch via our website, Facebook page or by direct e mail to Band Manager Ian Burton (tromboneian@icloud.com) we would love to hear from you.

It would be fantastic to see as many old faces as possible and to welcome you all back to join our celebration. We do know that there are some musicians around currently playing with Black Dyke, Brighouse and Rastrick and Bones Apart that have spent time in our ranks along with others that have played with Flowers, GUS and the Cory Band. Imagine if all those talented musicians were able to join us.

Further details will be published as soon as confirmed.

Wishing all our friends and followers a very happy Christmas 2020. We’ve really missed playing together his year so to be able to perform a few carols was a real treat. Hopefully things will get back to normal very soon.