UPPERMILL will welcome the Band of the Grenadier Guards in style when they make a special visit this month.
The 35-strong band, which performs around the world as well as at royal residences around the UK, has been filling the streets with music and colour for more than three centuries.
Now, thanks to a link with Saddleworth School, they are bringing their instruments and iconic red uniforms to the village.
On Friday, April 5, the Band of the Grenadier Guards will march down to Uppermill Playing Fields to give a free, 30-minute open air concert.
The band will process out of Court Street just before 11am and after parading on the High Street willmove to the Park to perform.
All side roads on to the High Street between these two points will also be closed with no access to the High Street itself from 10.30am-11.30am from Brownhills Viaduct to Chapel Road.
Shops and businesses along the high street will be putting out flags and bunting to make sure the special visitors are greeted in style.
If weather is too poor for the parade and open air performance to go ahead, there will instead be an indoor concert for local primary school pupils and guests at the Civic Hall.
The band will spend the afternoon delivering sectional workshops at the Civic Hall to Saddleworth School pupils, including brass, woodwind and percussion.
Then the day will conclude with a grand finale concert at the Civic Hall, starting at 7pm. Tickets are now sold out.
The first half of the concert will see Saddleworth School Brass Band and University of Salford Symphonic Wind Ensemble perform.
Then the second half will be a 60-minute performance by the talented Grenadiers band, who have performed to large audiences worldwide, including, Australia, Japan and Belgium.
Garrath Beckwith, Head of Music at Saddleworth School who has organised the event, said: “We are really excited about the band coming up.
“They have tailored their programme to suit us and the children, which is fantastic.
“It will enhance the students’ musical experiences and learning and is something the community can enjoy as well.
“The day is part of the band’s commitment to education initiative so we can’t charge for any tickets but there will be a raffle and retiring collection in aid of Saddleworth School’s music department.”
The band is making a two-day visit to the north, and the previous day they will be visiting the University of Salford.
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