One of the oldest Brass Bands in the world is tuning up to join Bolton Cancer Voices in their forthcoming Christmas concert - 'Jingle Bell Sing-A-Long'. Established in 1818, Besses o' th' Barn Band is renowned for their quality music and entertaining performances. Based in Whitefield the Band has a rich and colourful past having played before Prime Minister, Henry Balfour and By Royal Appointment for King Edward VII at Windsor Castle; ceaseless requests from across the globe then saw them embark on two world tours between 1906 and 1911, each lasting an incredible eighteen months! Stories of players leaving home on the pretense of heading off to their normal band practice and arriving back one-and-a-half years later may contain more than a grain of truth! Itineraries show that the Band played hundreds of concerts at this time covering venues in North America, Canada, Hawaii, Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. They were regarded as pop stars of the day and welcomed by enthusiastic crowds of thousands wherever they went.
The modern day Besses, as they have become affectionately known, are multi-time Regional Champions of the North West and have an impressive total of seven British Open Championship wins to their name. As they look ahead to their Bicentenary celebrations in 2018 they are still touring, with a planned visit to Scotland next year.
"Joining Bolton Cancer Voices was an easy decision" said Chairman Matt Bailey, "audience participation events are always very popular and it's great to have been offered the opportunity to play alongside such a unique Choir. We're really looking forward to what should be a great and fun evening". With a programme packed with festive favourites the event also features guest compere Dr Kevin Jones - Consultant Chest Physician at the Royal Bolton Hospital and a popular after- dinner Speaker.
'Jingle Bell Sing-A-Long' takes place on Saturday 7th in the Victoria Hall, Bolton. Tickets are available from the Albert Halls Box Office on 01204 334400 / www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk priced £5-00 and for every 10 tickets purchased in a single transaction, the 11th December 2013 in the Victoria will be FREE!
