It may be one of the oldest brass bands in Leicestershire, but members of Foresters Brass 2000 have brought their history to life with the most modern of on-line techniques.

Archives

They’ve delved into their archives to create a virtual timeline, capturing memorable moments and milestones from their 111 year history, thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

A wealth of fascinating material including pictures, recordings, interviews with past and present players and of course music, can all be found in a special section of the band’s website: www.forestersbrass2000.co.uk/heritage.

The timeline will be continually evolving, as more and more material is found.

Banding in the blood

One of the players interviewed for the heritage project was Terry Weston, who first joined in 1953 and is still closely associated with band.

Terry, aged 82, summed up what makes Foresters Brass 2000, and brass banding in general, so special, when he told 4BR: "Playing music is the greatest feeling in the world. And at Foresters, it’s the friendships that are so special.

We are all pals, all mates. Banding, it’s in your blood, simple as that."

Bread Street Mission

The band has been entertaining audiences since 1902, when it formed as the Bread Street Mission Band, and has since performed under various guises including the 1st Battalion Leicester Home Guard Band and the City of Leicester Special Constabulary Band, before linking up with the Foresters Friendly Society in 1959.

It’s thought this is now the longest ongoing sponsorship of any brass band in the country.

We are incredibly proud of our history, and the significant part we’ve played in Leicester’s cultural heritage for well over a centuryBand Chairman Paul Speed-Andrews

Special event

This Sunday (1st December) a special event is being held at the Peepul Centre on Orchard Avenue, Leicester, to unveil the band’s heritage timeline.

From 2.00pm there will be a display of memorabilia that has been unearthed and at 3.00pm the band will perform a special concert to launch their new CD, ‘Heritage’.

Proud history

Band Chairman Paul Speed-Andrews told 4BR: "We are incredibly proud of our history, and the significant part we’ve played in Leicester’s cultural heritage for well over a century.

I hope people will come along to the Peepul Centre on Sunday to help us celebrate that – it promises to be a great day of music and memories."