Foden's return home!!!
Mark Wilkinson • March 5, 2025
In mid 2024 Foden's were informed that due to a 'change of use' they would have to vacate their rehearsal premises at Bradwall Hall, Sandbach (home since August 2016) at the end of February 2025. Despite help from the local community, Sandbach Town Council and Cheshire East the band were unable to source premises that accommodated their needs. The bands plight was also aired on BBC radio!
Speaking about the search Mark Wilkinson commented 'Due to the band being based in the Sandbach area since 1902 it was paramount that premises in Sandbach were found. During our search we were grateful to numerous bands locally and outside the area who offered their rehearsal spaces. We were extremely grateful to Jef Sparkes and the Acceler8 Band in Crewe who had made arrangements to house Foden's from the start of March'
Prior to August 2016 Foden's rehearsed in Moston, Sandbach but due to a devastating bandroom fire moved to Bradwall Hall with the previous premises being restored and used as office buildings. However, at the start of the year the band were informed that the industrial site that originally housed the band had been sold and was now available to lease.
Mark continued 'We are delighted to secure our former home in Moston, in the actual building where we rehearsed prior to the fire. Due to the large amount of property stored at Bradwall Hall band members spent the day prior to the North West Area Contest moving equipment with the days after the contest being used to take down acoustic boarding and recording equipment. We are absolutely delighted to remain in Sandbach and return to our original premises which brought so much success between 1995 and 2016.'
On Sunday 22nd February Foden's competed at the 'North West Area' contest held at the Winter Gardens Blackpool. The UK is split into various 'regions' and the top two placed bands at each regional contest is invited to represent their 'region' at the National Finals, held at the Royal Albert Hall London in October. The top three placed bands from the previous years 'National Finals' receive an automatic qualification, due to Foden's being runner up at this contest we had already received an invitation to the 2025 Finals. Foden's competed against 11 other bands performing the set test piece 'Diversions' by Derek Bourgeois, we were subsequently announced as the Champions for the ninth consecutive year also winning the prize for the best Principal Cornet Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs and Andrea Price 1. Foden's (Russell Gray)** 2. Leyland (Daniel Brooks)* 3. Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins)* 4. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ryan Watkins) 5. Milnrow (Chris Binns) 6. KNDS Fairey (Phil Chalk) 7. Acceler8 (Jef Sparkes) 8. Boarshurst Silver (Jamie Prophet) 9. Rainford (Sarah Groarke Booth) 10.Wingates (Matt Ryan) 11. Longridge (Mark Peacock) 12. Wardle Anderson Brass (Brad McCulloch) Best Principal Cornet: Mark Wilkinson (Foden's) **Pre qualified for National Final * Qualify for National Final
On Saturday 22nd February Foden's held their final rehearsal at Bradwall Village Hall, Sandbach. The Hall has been home to the band since August 2016 where they have won numerous National, British Open & Brass in Concert titles which has secured their position as the 'World's Number 1 Brass Band' Due to a 'change of use' the band were served notice a number of months ago and have used this time to source a new rehearsal facility to keep the band in Sandbach (which has been their home since 1902) The band are delighted to have sourced new premises with further details to be released shortly Foden's would like to thank Edward Barlow (Bradwall Bakehouse) for allowing the band usage of their premises for the past nine years
On the 31st January Foden's travelled to Armagh, Northern Ireland for a weekend of musical activities! As in previous years the band worked with a number of soloists in a master class situation. Eager performers were given the opportunity to perform a solo, accompanied by the band, with the relevant Foden's principal player giving constructive spoken feedback as well as addressing the large audience consisting of parents, teachers and supporters. The afternoon session was concluded with a number of massed items, where the soloists, teachers and supporters joined ranks with Foden's. In the evening Foden's performed an entertaining concert to a large and enthusiastic audience which featured their fine array of soloists as well as 'Cassius: The Rumble in the Jungle' from their 2024 Brass in Concert Set. The programme also included the World premier of ‘Lift High The Cross’ by Jonathan Bates, commissioned by the Armagh Brass Band Summer School to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church (where the concert was held). All at Foden's thank Ivor Stevenson MBE and his hard working team for their hospitality on this 24th visit! Plans are already in replace for a return trip in 2026.
On Friday 24th January Foden's once again opened the prestigious '2025 International Brass Band Festival' The RNCM International Brass Band Festival remains a premier stage for the world’s leading brass band musicians, celebrating the finest repertoire crafted for the genre. Under the artistic direction of Dr David Thornton, the festival once again embraced both innovative new compositions and celebrated legacy works, a commitment that resonated throughout this year’s programme. A highlight of the 2025 festival was the celebration of Professor Edward Gregson’s 80th birthday. An award-winning English composer, Gregson has made a profound impact on the wind and brass repertoire. The festival took a journey through his works, from his earliest compositions to his latest piece, Three Gods: Concerto for tenor horn, premièred by Belgian virtuoso Tim De Maeseneer and Foden's. The Festival also welcomed the Athena Brass Band (an all American Female Brass Band) as well as Foden's, Black Dyke, Tredegar, Brighouse and Rastrick, Cory, RNCM Band, RNCM Junior School Band and Macclesfield Youth. Foden's Programme Paul Mealor Fantasia on a Theme of Purcell Edward Gregson Tenor Horn Concerto: Three Gods (world première) Elgar Howarth Fireworks David Stanhope A Leadsman, a Lady and a Lord Elisabeth Vannebo Elektrodesign (UK première) John McCabe Cloudcatcher Fells Interview with Michael Fowles prior to the concert - https://shorturl.at/1U0ZQ 4Barsrest concert review - https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con861.asp
Widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK, Matthew Ford returns to Congleton Town Hall with the World’s number one ranked band Foden’s, for their celebration of the ‘Kings of Cool’. Voted Best UK Male Big Band Vocalist, and nominated alongside Jamie Cullum in the inaugural Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards, Matthew makes regular appearances with the John Wilson Orchestra, BBC Big Band and performed for five years with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Matthew and Foden’s will perform some of the most iconic songs of Sinatra, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Elvis and Tony Bennett including That’s Life, I’ve Got You Under my Skin, Sway, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, For Once in my Life, New York, New York and many more! Tickets via https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens
On Sunday 12 th January members of Foden's spent an enjoyable day working with the Academy and Youth Band at Lions Youth ahead of an appearance at the National Youth Brass Band Championships to be held in Hull on the 29 th March. Mark Wilkinson, Jonathan Bates, Mark Bousie, Paul Hughes, Shaun Farrington and Graham Procter took sectional rehearsals before Musical Director Ian Raisbeck (former member of Foden's) took full rehearsals on the Youth Band's set test piece 'Fanfares, Songs and Dances' from the pen of Philip Sparke as well as their own choice work.
Following another successful and consistent contesting year, Foden's commence 2025 as the 'World's Number 1 Band' 1. Foden's (England) 2. Brass Band Treize Etoiles (Switzerland) 3. Cory (Wales) 4. Flowers (England) 5. Black Dyke (England) 6. Eikanger-Bjørsvik (Norway) 7. Brighouse and Rastrick (England) 8. Tredegar (Wales) 9. Valaisia Brass Band (Switzerland) 10. Brass Band Willebroek (Belgium) Full rankings via https://www.4barsrest.com/rankings/
On Sunday 15 th December Foden's teamed up with the fantastic Matt Ford to deliver another sold out 'Memories of Christmas' show at Congleton Town Hall. The band included a number of new arrangements from the pen of John Barber, which included the 'Brass Pack' backing vocals of members Robin Basu, Gary Curtin and Paul White. Foden's were once again joined by Robin Dewhurst on keys All at Foden's would like to wish everyone a fantastic Christmas and looking forward to returning to action next year!
On Saturday 14th December Foden's performed three shows of ‘The Snowman: LIVE’ Each 45-minute show included a number of Christmas favourites before the band provided music alongside the film 'The Snowman.' Once again, the concept proved a huge hit with a capacity audience attending each show.
Last Sunday afternoon saw the awarding of two annual awards, recognising outstanding contributions to the band both on and off the stage! BANDSMAN OF THE YEAR 2024 - ANDY ROLFE 'Bandsman of the Year' was awarded to the band's 3rd cornet player Andy Rolfe who is a pivotal cog in all that goes on behind the scenes in the organisation, none more so than his exceptional work co-ordinating Foden's unforgettable trip to South Korea in August! PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2024 - SAM ILES 'Player of the Year' award was voted by his fellow bandmates as percussionist Sam Iles! Throughout the last 12 months, Sam has showcased his multitude of skills with great aplomb; whether it be outstanding work on the competitive stages, taking the spotlight as one of the featured soloists at Brass in Concert - or providing 'purr-fect' cat impressions in his percussion feature 'Kitten on the Keys' in concerts! Our huge congratulations to both on their richly deserved awards!
