All abilities
Picked up an instrument last month or haven't touched one in thirty years? You'll fit right in.
4th Section National Champions 2026
Brass for everyone
Una fortiores — stronger together
A friendly community brass band where beginners, returners and old hands play side by side — and win together. No auditions, everyone welcome.
Why join
Community first — and champions too
We're a community band at heart: everyone is welcome, whatever their level. In 2026 that same band of parents, returners and newcomers won the North West Area and then the National Finals in the 4th Section, earning promotion to the 3rd Section.
- 1997first concert
- 43members — up from 12 in 2023
- 20264th Section National Champions
Friendly faces
The band was started by parents who wanted to learn alongside their children. It's still a real cross-section of the community.
Part of Wardle
We play for local churches, events and celebrations as well as on the contest stage, keeping Wardle's brass band tradition alive.
National Champions
From first contest to national title in six months
On Sunday 20 September 2026 at York Barbican, Wardle Community Band was crowned 4th Section National Champion of Great Britain, finishing first of sixteen bands with Peter Graham's Heroes of the North under conductor Jane Conway.
Just six months earlier the band had made its contest debut, winning the North West Area in Blackpool. Not bad for a band that was down to a handful of players a few years ago. Next stop: the 3rd Section.
Rehearsals
Just turn up on a Monday or Wednesday
- When
- Monday & Wednesday evenings
7–8.30pm - Where
- Wardle Academy
Birch Road, OL12 9RD - Cost
- £15 a month
- Who
- All abilities,
ages 13 to 80+