WINGATES Band is justified in blowing its own trumpet!

The brass band has won four top awards in as many months.

This is Wingates' best spell on the contest scene for several years and comes as the band celebrates its 130th anniversary year. Among many other accolades, the band has seven British Open Championship titles and four British National Championship titles.

The latest run of success started in June when the band won the inaugural Droylsden Brass Band Contest.

This was followed by joint first place in the prestigious Brighouse Brass Band Contest. Then later Wingates triumphed in the Championship Section of the inaugural Wigan Bier and Brass Festival. The band's latest major success was being judged the best of more than 50 bands competing in the Wychavon Brass Band Festival in Worcestershire. This was an "entertainment contest" in which the bands were allotted a 20 minute slot in which to play pieces of their own selection. Wingates' Musical Director, Roy Curran, chose Ayres of Agincourt, The Love of a Princess (from the film Braveheart), On With The Motley and The Barbarian Horde (from the film The Gladiator".

The band's latest CD - The Wonderful World of Wingates - which celebrates the band's 130th birthday is now out. The CD may be ordered from Wingates' Marketing/PR Manager, David Kay on 01942 845001 (office) or 01204 595938 (home).