Uppermill brass band conquer Snowdon in ground-breaking charity climb

Reporter: Ken Bennett
Date published: 22 April 2024


A dedicated Saddleworth brass band took their talents to new heights when they completed a ground-breaking 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 as they conquered 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, 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 above, played a medley of tunes on his euphonium to accompany the walkers, endied 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 Chad's School Choir, Santa Dash​​​ and Remembrance Service.”

To support the band's efforts, head to the GoFundMe page here


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