Wingates Band celebrates 150 years
Town mayor Deirdre McGeown with Wingates Band members
Wingates Band are celebrating 150 glorious years of making music.
The Westhoughton brass band is world famous for its reputation.
This week, Westhoughton Local History Group opened a display in Westhoughton Library about the band’s rich history.
The band put on a musical performance at the exhibition which was watched by Westhoughton town mayor Councillor Deirdre McGeown, her mayor’s consort Ollie Younge and deputy town mayor, councillor Neil Maher.
The band has received £435 from Liberal Democrat run Westhoughton Town Council to help fund their 150th anniversary celebrations this year.
What started off as a challenge by the members of the Westhoughton Old Band to develop a brass band, members of the Bible Class of Wingates Independent Methodist Church took up the gauntlet and formed the Wingates Band. That was 150 years ago in 1873.
David Kaye, of Westhoughton Local History Group organised the celebration of the Wingates Band, at the start of National Heritage Week 2023.
Town mayor Deirdre said: “As Mayor of Westhoughton, I was honoured to say a few words before Jim Berry of The Houghton Weavers officially opened the first event of the week.”
If your community organisation is looking for funding, you can apply for up to £500 on the new Westhoughton Town Council website.
