East London Brass Band scoops fifth place at national championship

By Else Kvist A brass band with many members living in the East End has come fifth in the brass band equivalent of the FA cup – despite nearly not getting to the competition. The East London Brass Band

By Else Kvist

A brass band with many members living in the East End has come fifth in the brass band equivalent of the FA cup - despite nearly not getting to the competition.

The East London Brass Band had struggled from near collapse two years ago to winning a place at National Brass Band Championships - much like the film Brassed Off.

But the band nearly had to pull out as they didn't have enough brass to get to the championships in Harrogate. The credit crunch had hit the band hard with local authorities and fete organisations no longer having the funds to book a live band.

But the band managed to raise �550 during a free concert in Walthamstow, featured in the Advertiser, which took them to the �4,000 target needed for transport and accommodation.

The hard work paid off after the band representing the Southern counties came fifth out of 17 bands from across the country at the championships.

Conductor Jayne Murill said: "The band is trilled to have come so far in the past year and I'm very proud of their hard work and dedication, which paid off."

The band which blew its first note in 1909 is now preparing to commemorate its centenary with a special free concert on December 5 at Trinity Walthamstow Church