2009 sees the band celebrate it's bicentenary,a unique event as we claim to be the oldest Civilian Band in the world.  

The year began well, with an appearance on the BBC's The One Show in January (see it on You Tube)

Our new Musical Director John Binns has joined us, and we also have several new band members, please see the Members profile page for details.  

A celebration of 200 years of banding was held at Stalybridge Civic Hall on Saturday 16th May, with entertainment from the soul group Manmadesole and on Saturday 23rd May we set off on our tour to Belgium and France. We began the tour playing at the Menin Gate ceremony at Ypres in Belgium on Saturday 23rd May, then after an overnight stay at Lille we travelled to the Jura region of France, where we were guests of the town of Champagnole. Concerts were arranged at Courlaoux, Champagnole and Poligny. Band members also visited the Park Aventures at Metabief, where a spot of tree climbing was engaged in, a visit to the Citadelle at Besancon and the market at Lons le Saunier. We would like to thank the people of Champagnole and the Jura for their warm welcome, and the organisers of the concerts. We arrived back at 1am on Sunday 31st May, ready to play in the Whitsuntide Walks at Stalybridge in the afternoon.

Whit Friday on 5th June 2009 got off to a wet start, with the band caught in a thunderstorm whilst waiting for the coach, however this didn't seem to stop our enthusiasm, and we managed to pick up prizes at Friezland, Broadoak, Carrbrook, Stalybridge Celtic, Droylsden and Stalybridge Labour Club. Well done team!

Our next public performances will be at Dukinfield Park at 2pm on Sunday 28th June,  in Manchester on 5th July for a march to commemorate the Peterloo Massacre and in Ryecrof Hall park, Audenshaw on Sunday 26th July at 2pm.