Founded in 1937 by a group of employees at the Fairey Aviation Works in Stockport, the Band achieved many musical successes under the brilliant direction of Harry Mortimer, their Musical Director for over thirty years. 

Since those early days, the Band has been 16 times British Open Champions and National Champions of Great Britain on 9 occasions. Winners of the BBC ‘Best of Brass’ and Granada ‘Band of the Year’ titles add further touches of distinction to this famous Band.

The early-mid 1990’s saw probably the most successful period in the Band’s history, winning both the British Open and National titles in 1993, before going on to complete a unique ‘treble’ when they were crowned European Champions in 1994.

The Band is also extremely proud of its successes at the annual Whit Friday marches – most notably in 1997 when they achieved 10 first prizes, 2 second prizes and a third prize of the 13 contests that they attended! All this and more makes up the pedigree of what is, undoubtedly, one of the World’s leading brass bands.

Since its formation the band has seen an illustrious line-up of conductors including Harry Mortimer, Leonard Lamb, Kenneth Dennison, Richard Evans, Walter Hargreaves, Geoffrey Brand, Major Peter Parkes, Roy Newsome, James Gourlay, Howard Snell, Bryan Hurdley, Allan Withington, David Evans and Simon Stonehouse.

The Band is in constant demand for concerts, both at home and abroad. Overseas tours have included performances in Canada, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg.

In recent years, the Band has enjoyed further recognition outside the confines of the Brass Band movement, with its involvement in the ‘Acid Brass’ project. Under this banner, the Band has been able to display its flexibility in adapting to a totally different musical concept and consequently, has performed in rock/pop festivals in the UK and overseas.

The Band has always maintained its association with the ‘Fairey’ company, which provided sponsorship until 2002, and still rehearses at the factory in Heaton Chapel.

Having survived various name changes, as the company changed hands over the years – Williams Fairey and Williams Holdings among others – these days the Band is proud to revert to its roots and be known as The Fairey Band – or, as is more commonly used in banding circles – ‘Faireys’!

Honours List:

National Champions of Great Britain
1945, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1965, 1986, 1993, 2002, 2003

British Open Champions
1941, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1956, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1979, 1987, 1993, 1998

All England Masters Champions
1996, 1997

European Champions
1994

Brass In Concert Champions
1996

BBC Television Champion Brass
1976, 1977, 1979

BBC Best Of Brass
1978

Granada Television Band Of The Year
1979, 1980

BBC Radio Band Of The Year
1987, 1988