Following their promotion to the Championship Section last year, the United Co-op Band (Crewe) is celebrating the first anniversary of their move to new rehearsal facilities in the town.

New home

The new home provides facilities for for the organisation's brass and wind bands (now 70+ strong), and comes after they also received £10,000 from the Awards For All National Lottery Fund to upgrade instruments & provide more instruments for the Junior Band.

2008 was a very special year for us, and we are working hard to raise performance standards and consolidate our position within the Championship Section during 2009Kevin Mowbray

Fairey help

MD Jef Sparkes, was appointed Associate Conductor of Fairey earlier this year, and so it will be fitting that Fairey will help Crewe celbrate this weekend in a joint concert.

Jef told 4BR: "It’s been a good year for the band, and we have plenty to celebrate. Faireys haven’t played in Crewe before, so it will be great to bring them to our home town,."

New website

The band has also launched a new website at http://www.unitedco-opbandcrewe.co.uk/, whilst composer Kevin Birch has arranged the 'Prayer' from Hansel & Gretel to be premiered at the event.

Working hard

Kevin Mowbray, chairman of the band, told 4BR: "2008 was a very special year for us, and we are working hard to raise performance standards and consolidate our position within the Championship Section during 2009."