Ipswich Over 50´s Brass Band
The formation of the band is simply down to a lot of hard work and determination by one man, Mr Jack Biggins and in the picture below Jack is seen with the Musical Director & Pricipal Cornet Ann Headworth. Jack could see a vast void in the Brass Band world here in Suffolk for such a band and whilst abroad brought back the idea to Ipswich having seen such a band on a visit to New Zealand.
In 1996 the band were informed that their lottery bid for funding of new musical instruments was successful and that in due course they would be receiving nearly £40,000. On the 6th November 1996 at the town hall Ipswich, The Mayor, Councillor Phillip Smart made the official presentation of the new instruments to the band. From day one of it's formation and with the Lottery funding received the band has gone from strength to strength with a big thank you going to the bands previous Musical Director Arthur Austin, who had guided them well up until 1st March 2001 when our new Musical Director Peter Gray took over. Our latest conductor is ex army bandmaster Chris Robinson.
The band up to the present day have performed for and on behalf of many locally based charities such as, St. Elizabeth Hospice, Leukaemia Research and Cruise Charity Association to name just a few and it is the bands intention to continue helping these local based charities whenever possible.
For further information on hiring or joining the band please check the bands website.