*
banner

Reg Vardy provides musical cheer to support charity work

The Reg Vardy Band has helped to raise nearly £1300 to assist the wonderful work of the local Pact House charity in providing essential help to families over the Christmas period.

Reg Vardy
  The Reg Vardy Band helped support the outstanding work of the Pact House charity

Following a well-received 'Musical Advent Calendar' fund-raising initiative over the festive period, the Reg Vardy Band has been delighted to be able to hand over the sum of £1287 to PACT House Stanley to support its future work within the local community.

Essential help

Pact House, is a food bank and community hub in Stanley, County Durham, and under the management of Darren McMahon MBE provides essential help to local people in need.

Over the challenging festive period for families its services were in great demand with volunteers working tirelessly to provide household items, food parcels and hot meals.

On Christmas Day Pact House delivered 161 free Christmas lunches around the Stanley area.

Members of the Reg Vardy Band were keen to offer their support and came up with the idea to put some musical cheer into the lead up to Christmas and to say thanks to the wonderful work of the charity.

Spokesperson Jillian Dixon told 4BR: "The idea of a musical advent calendar came up during one of our weekly band Zoom chats. Graeme Tindall, our principal cornet, volunteered to put together the remote recordings, and we were under way!"

Home recordings

Band members recorded their parts in their own homes before Graeme and his wife Janice, who plays in the band spent many hours making the daily videos to feature on a special Just Giving page. Amazingly, a new carol was presented every day from 1st December until Christmas Day.

A generous donation from the band's sponsor, The Vardy Foundation, pushed the total towards £1000 and the total finally reached nearly £1300.

On Christmas Day Pact House delivered 161 free Christmas lunches around the Stanley area4BR

Thanks

Jillian added: "The band would like to thank everyone for their generosity — especially band members for giving their time.

Thanks also go to Karbon Homes for their generous direct donation in response to our socially distanced carol playing at their sheltered facilities, those who donated to the Just Giving page and finally our tech team for their hours of hard work and their expertise."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


British Open

Fewer than 30 stall seats left for British Open

September 4 • You will need to be quick to get a downstairs seat in the stalls for the British Open — but you can still bag a bargain discount for the Grand Tier to enjoy 'Star Crossed Lovers'.


4BR podcast

4BR British Open preview

September 2 • Join us on air on Wednesday evening to give us your views and opinions ahead of the 171st British Open Championships at Symphony Hall.


British Open

New additions to prize list at British Open

September 2 • The new champion will bag a record cash prize whilst a new cornet award adds to the individual accolades on offer at Symphony Hall this weekend.


Alexander Richter

Richter award for pioneering brass band advocacy

September 2 • Alexander Richter has been presented with the prestigious Eitelfriedrich-Thom Award.


Contest: 171st British Open

Saturday 6 September • Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Rushden Town Band

September 2 • 2nd Trombone position has become vacant as current holder off to University. Rehearsals Mondays and Wednesday at Rushden Hall. RTB is a friendly 1st Section band who have recently come back from their second tour abroad and also released their first CD.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

September 2 • Are you moving to the West Midlands this autumn or possibly fancy a change of bandroom scenery? The band are looking to recruit an Eb bass and a Kit Percussionist to help us with our varied and ever expanding range of events.


Cross Keys Silver Band

September 2 • We're looking for a 2nd Trombone player to join a strong section in a 2nd Section band based in South Wales. We have a number of community engagements and contests lined up for the rest of the year and into 2026. Rehearsals are from 19:30 on Tuesdays.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd