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About this event
This year, The Longridge Band started to make plans to celebrate its 180th Anniversary (1845-2025). However, these celebrations nearly didn’t occur as, during our research into the history of the band for our 180th birthday, we came across an article in the Preston Chronicle which referred to the band performing on Saturday 18th August 1832:
‘The Longridge Band were in attendance, playing a number of appropriate airs, which added to the gaiety and spirit of the company’
Needless to say, this gave us a problem with our proposed 180th Anniversary celebrations! Instead of cancelling everything, we decided to go ahead with our plans and we will celebrate our 193rd Anniversary at Longridge Civic Hall on Saturday 12th July 2025 – 7pm start.
As part of our celebrations, we also decided to commission an arrangement of ‘A GAELIC LULLABY’ from Three Gaelic Sketches written by the late Ernest Tomlinson MBE (1924–2015). Ernest, a resident of Longridge, is a world-renowned composer of orchestral light music and was a patron of Longridge Band. He had allowed us to rehearse and record in his music studio, conducted the band on occasions and gave his consent to adopt the march Best Foot Forward as our signature tune.
With the Tomlinson Family’s permission, we commissioned Dan Price to write the arrangement of A Gaelic Lullaby. In doing so, we felt that we also wanted to give bands throughout the world an opportunity to share in our special anniversary and make it possible for any band to download this music for free to include in their concerts, providing they give mention to The Longridge Band and Ernest Tomlinson. This special piece of music will be ‘premiered’ at our concert.
Tickets for our Anniversary Concert (£12.50) are now available from Ribble Valley Tyres 07801 486785, Longridge Post Office or on the door. (Free entry to accompanied children under the age of 16).
Following the concert, download information regarding A Gaelic Lullaby will be posted on our band website www.longridgeband.org.uk and www.danpricemusic.com
The Longridge Band
