ONE of Bolton's leading brass bands, Wingates, celebrates an amazing 13 decades of performances with a special 130th anniversary concert on Saturday, March 22, at 7.30pm.

The band was founded by the members of the men's bible class at Wingates Independent Methodist Church on April 6, 1873, and since that time it has grown into one of the best-known and most respected names in the British brass movement.

Very few bands can boast a longer unbroken history played under the same name. In fact, the only modification to the name came in 1981 when the word Temperance was dropped resulting in the band's first ever major commercial sponsorship deal -- from a brewery.

Among Wingates' major triumphs are four royal appearances and numerous tours, as well as a tremendous recording and broadcasting history which started back in 1915.

The concert is one of the highlights of their special anniversary year. The band will be joined on stage by Roger Webster, principal cornet of the Black Dyke Band, and one of the world's leading tuba players James Gourlay, who is also head of brass studies at the Royal Northern College of music in Manchester.

The band's musical director Roy Curran will be supported by three of the brass band world's most accomplished conductors, Richard Evans, James Scott and Alan Lawton, all of who have been closely associated with Wingates in past years.

Tickets for the concert are £7.50, with concessions £6.50, can be obtained from Bolton Town Hall Information Centre on 334400, Westhoughton Town Hall on 01942 634512, or from David Kaye on 01942 845001 (work) or 01204 595938 (home).

Wingates band is even older than ...

BOLTON Town Hall was opened in the same year as Wingates Band was founded. Here, are some inventions which are pre-dated by the historic band.

The telephone (1876)

The record player (1877)

The electric light bulb (1879)

The hearing aid (1880)

Photographic film (1884)

The motor car (1886)

Discovery of X-rays (1895)

The wireless (1896)

Powered flight (1908)