Crewe Brass band has been offered a lifeline with a new venue at the Crewe Heritage Centre, writes Jonathan White.
The band, well known throughout South Cheshire and beyond, had bene left without a home due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
The band, which goes back 40 years, have previously been based at the old Co-op Buildings in Mill Street, on Bold Street in Sandbach, and then back to Camm Street Gym.
When the Co-op withdrew sponsorship, the band became known as Crewe Brass and moved to Shavington Primary School where they have rehearsed for five years.
However, the pandemic hit the band hard and as their facilities were shared with a school, they were no longer suitable under Covid-19 regulations.
So in stepped the Crewe Heritage Centre, who have now offered the band its Exhibition Hall at Crewe Heritage Centre on Vernon Way as a venue for rehearsals and as their band in residence.
Rehearsals take place on a Friday evening and there is a busy schedule of contests and concerts.
The band has links with the HSS Accordion band in Crewe’s twin town of Bischofsheim, Germany, where they have visited twice.
They also have strong links with the Band of Liberation in Leiden, Holland and the Last Post Society in the Town of Ypres, Belgium where a tour is in the planning stage, post COVID, and strong ties to bands on the Isle of Man where a tour is planned.
A representative from Crewe Brass said: “It’s fantastic that the band is coming home, we’re actually only 1,000 yards from the band’s first band room in Mill Street, and to be welcomed into the Crewe Heritage Centre is a real life saver.
“The facilities are second to none, they are fully COVID Compliant which is the first priority, and the hall is acoustically brilliant for the band and will help us climb the table and gain promotion again.
“A big thank you goes to Cheshire East & Crewe Town Council for matching us up with Crewe Heritage Centre.
“We can’t wait to play at the events that the Crewe Heritage Centre put on; they have been so welcoming and super friendly, we couldn’t be happier to be coming here.”
Matt Pithers, Musical Director, Crewe Brass said: “This mutually beneficial partnership with the Crewe Heritage Centre and Crewe Brass is a fantastic opportunity for both organisations.
“The space and flexibility of Crewe Heritage Centre offers us many options going forward.
“We hope to be able to host concerts as well as rehearse in what is a fantastic and currently underused venue.
“I for one am very excited for the evolution of Crewe Brass and this move is one of many exciting plans beginning to come to fruition.”
Gordon Heddon, Chairman, Crewe Heritage Centre, said: “I am very pleased indeed to welcome Crewe Brass to the Crewe Heritage Centre.
“I believe it will be a very productive association for us both.
“I understand the band are also very pleased with the acoustics in the Exhibition Hall.
“We look forward to the band performing during our large public functions.”
For further information relating to Crewe Brass visit https://www.facebook.com/crewebrass , Instagram https://www.instagram.com/crewebrass/ and http://crewebrass.co.uk/
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