Home News Birmingham News
Band needs cash to march on
YOUNG musicians have issued an SOS to keep their band marching into the future.
Members of the Great Barr-based Beeches Cadet marching band have been taking part in Remembrance Day parades, summer fetes and touring Europe for more than three decades.
But now, as one of the city’s last marching bands, their future is in doubt unless they can find new talent and sponsors to contribute towards the £15,000 a year running costs - including rehearsal room hire, uniforms and instruments.
And as a kick-start to the campaign the band, formerly known as the Beeches Ambassadors, host a reunion for old members at the Beeches pub function room on Friday, from 7.30pm.
Members are aiming to revive the band which almost folded following the death of founder Roy Bates in December last year.
Band leader Andrew Dallison said: "Roy gave 30 years of his life to the band which once had 120 members from the local estates.
"He was a modern day hero and a father figure who gave the joy of music to many children over the years."
The band was founded during the 1970s by Roy as the 68th Birmingham Boys Brigade Band which, after merging with the girls brigade, became the Beeches Ambassadors Marching Band.
They were a leading member within the British Youth Band Association (BYBA) for over 25 years and competed all over England, and were
British Champions in 1992.
During this time, the band accepted the honour of representing Birmingham City and being officially endorsed by Birmingham City Council. This lead to a further name change to The City of Birmingham Show Corps "Beeches".
They are also known as one of the most travelled bands.
Anyone who wants to join or volunteer for the band should contact Andrew Dallison on 07786 254051.
Copyright and Trade Mark Notice © 2009 owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited. Birmingham Mail™ is a trade mark of Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.