Music of the mountains as brass band takes on Snowdon challenge

A dedicated Saddleworth brass band took their talents to new heights when they completed a groundbreaking charity walk 3,560 ft to the top of Mount Snowdon.

The unique weekend fundraiser -  ‘Uppermill Band vs Mount Snowdon’ - generated more than £1,200 in  donations on their GoFundMe page  to conquer Wales highest mountain.

The band, a registered charity, was  in desperate need to raise funds to cover the cost of their coach for the 2024 Whit Friday Contests, fees for hiring concert venues and purchase of new music, mutes, instruments  and  instruments repairs to increase their audience.

Organised by their conductor James Garlick,  11 band members, seven woman and four men  aged between 22 and 58, set off of their challenge on Saturday and completed the walk in six hours.

And one bandsman, Ian Walker, pictured, played a medley of tunes on his euphonium to accompany  the walkers ending with a rousing version of Rule Britannia when they reached the mountain top.

Said Mr Garlick:”We we have been delighted with local support  to ensure our band remains at the heart of the community.

“We have a wide and varied concert programme planned for 2024 which includes performing with Oasis Supernova, Concerts for the Whole Family, Last Night of the Proms and many more.

,This is on top of our usual calendar of local events/performances including: Yanks Weekend​​​, Christmas Eve Carols in the Community,   Whit Friday​​​
Performing with St. Chads School Choir, Santa Dash​​​ and Remembrance Service.”