Besses Boys Band officially turned 75 this week, and has been busy with a range of events marking the historic year.
At the beginning of the month, the band shared the concert stage with Brighouse & Rastrick and has now revealed further highlights of this weekend's diamond anniversary celebrations.
A new work has been commissioned for their special anniversary from composer Andrea Price, entitled, 'The Bee Hive'.
Special piece
MD James Holt told 4BR: "We're delighted Andrea could compose this special piece. She is a fine talent and we are privileged to be able to perform her work as part of our celebrations. It's particularly significant as Andrea is also an alumni of the band."
Andrea joins a long list of prestigious composers who have written works for the band, such as Roy Newsome, and told 4BR: "As a Manchester based band, the bee is a significant symbol.
The hive contains three types of bee — linking in the abbreviation 'BBB' to Besses Boys' Band. It is also a nod to the band's heritage and connection to Whitefield and Prestwich."
The hive contains three types of bee — linking in the abbreviation 'BBB' to Besses Boys Band. It is also a nod to the band's heritage and connection to Whitefield and PrestwichAndrea Price
National champions
In the 1940s and 1950s, the band enjoyed great success at the National Youth Championship (winning in 1945/46/47 and again in 1949 and 1950). After a victory the band would travel back from Belle Vue to Whitefield.
There crowds would meet them, where the celebrations would finish with them marching through the town past 'The Bee Hive Inn', to Besses Mission where they were rewarded with pie served to them.
The hive contains three types of bee — linking in the abbreviation 'BBB' to Besses Boys Band. It is also a nod to the band's heritage and connection to Whitefield and PrestwichAndrea Price
Gala concert
A special 75th Anniversary Gala concert is being held on Saturday 13th October, where BBC presenter David Guest will be comparing the anniversary event, with a reunion band of 50 players expected to finish off the evening's entertainment.
