WINGATES brass band has honoured "Mr Wingates" -- Charlie Southern.

Mr Southern, aged 77, who lives in Heywood, has been involved in banding since 1931 and joined the then Wingates Temperance Band in 1956.

Since then he has been everything from tea boy to chairman, including secretary, treasurer and concert secretary.

Conductor Chris Wormald announced from the Victoria Hall stage in Bolton on Saturday night that Mr Southern was now honorary president for life.

Actor Edward Woodward continues to be the 125-year-old band's official president. "The committee felt that Charlie deserved a major honour," Mr Wormald said today.

"He is known as 'Mr Wingates' after all the work he has put in over the years."

Mr Southern, who has received national recognition in the brass band movement, made a short speech during a concert featuring Wingates and the Smithills School Senior Brass Band.

He recalled that he organised the first of 77 concerts at Victoria Hall in 1967.

"This has always seemed like home to me," he said.

Wingates, which was sponsored at one time by Bass and British Aerospace, has been self-supported for the last decade and is always keen to find extra financial support.

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