David Baines MP is “humbled and honoured” to take on the role of Vice President of Haydock Brass Band.
Haydock Band recently made history when they triumphed at the Fife Charities Brass Band Contest. The contest, which has been running for 78 years, had never been won by a non-Scottish band until now.
The band, founded in 1861 and renowned as St Helens’ oldest community-run organisation, competed on September 27 at the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy.
Mr Baines congratulated the band on their record-breaking exploits.
Haydock Band was the only English band to make the 250-mile journey to participate in the contest.
Under the leadership of conductor Mark Quinn, the band delivered a captivating performance of the test piece “Saints Triumphant,” composed by Philp Wilby for the 2022 European Brass Band Championships.
The adjudicator, Stephanine Binns, awarded the band 196 points, just four short of the maximum 200.
In addition to the test piece, the band played a hymn tune, “in Love For Me,” and a brass band march, “The President.”
Each performance can be heard on the band’s YouTube channel here.
Their victory secured them an invitation to the 2026 British Open Spring Festival contest in Birmingham, a unique accolade as only a select few bands are invited each year.
Mr Baines said: “As a Yicker I am incredibly proud of the Haydock Band and I know what brass band means to our communities. It’s an important part of our heritage but it’s also a part of our here and now, and the Band’s ongoing success including its historic win at the Fife Charities’ contest shows that its future is bright.
As a Yicker, I am also particularly humbled and honoured to be asked to become a Vice President of the Band. I’m looking forward to doing all I can to support them and championing this fantastic and vibrant part of our local culture.”