What's Christmas Without a Brass Band?

What's Christmas Without a Brass Band? sang The Houghton Weavers folk group tonight, with backing of Wingates Band.

Following our family's previously mentioned donation of memorabilia to Wingates archive, collected by Grandad Jim over 42 years playing for his local Westhoughton brass band, we were given 3 tickets to attend tonight's performance in Victoria Hall in Bolton. So it was, mum, me and MrsB all went along to enjoy.

Wingates still pride themselves in playing a big part in Westhoughton life and are regular contributors to local events - including recently, the intriguingly entitled Luddites Bi-Centenary celebration.

The Victoria Hall is a working Methodist Mission. It was built over 100 years ago in that well-known ecclesiastical style of a music hall theatre (and later silent movie hall). It still has a double cultural life.

Created to provide a sanctuary from alcohol abuse, unemployment and deprivation, it certainly worked it's magic keeping us three reprobates out of mischief on a cold, wet Saturday night.