Sandbach-based Lions Youth Brass band are golden – and that's official! 

The popular youth band, who practise at Sandbach School in Crewe Road, won gold at the National Youth Brass Band Championships. 

The band, which supports three levels of young musicians, were awarded gold which places them in the top four youth brass bands in the UK.  

A gold award is particularly fitting for the band's new director Ian Raisbeck, who took over after the band's previous director, Nigel Birch, sadly died from cancer aged 57. 

Mr Birch, had been director of Sandbach's Lions Youth Brass band for over 30 years and Mr Raisbeck is now helping the band to continue to grow from strength to strength. 

Mr Raisbeck even ran the Manchester Marathon last year to raise money for the band and Sandbach Park Bowling Club as we revealed here

The band has a 'debut band' an 'academy band' and a youth band and performs all over the country. 

In 2019, they represented the UK in the European Brass Band championships and are regularly notching up success stories. 

Each year, the band takes part in an annual tour, performing at different destinations along the way.  

One person who watched the band at the recent championships said: "They were all brilliant. Congratulations to you all on a well-deserved gold award and soloist champions." 

Band director, Ian Raisbeck said: "All three bands meet at Sandbach School on Tuesdays during term time, welcoming complete beginners all the way through to advanced players of brass and percussion instruments. 

"Anybody aged six to 18 is welcome and can come along for four weeks free of charge as a taster - and we'll even provide them with an instrument. Drop us a message for more information." 

Anyone wanting further information can email the band at [email protected]. The link to their website is here

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