Cockermouth Live! Brass on the Grass
5th July 2025 6:00pm (Doors open at 5:30 pm)
Cockermouth Castle
Following last year’s successful inaugural evening concert-cum-picnic by Cockermouth Mechanics Brass Band at Cockermouth Castle, the Band will include a repeat of that event in this, their 200th anniversary celebration year schedule.
Audience is invited to bring their own; picnic can include alcohol, there will be no bar area.
Cockermouth Mechanics – 200 years representing the town
Cockermouth Mechanics’ Band is a community brass band based in Cockermouth and active throughout North West Cumbria.
It is one of the oldest brass bands in the world, with roots traceable back to 1825. Today it is one of the largest and best supported bands in the area.
It is a diverse group of players, welcoming everyone including those who have played for over 70 years and those, in the Apprentice Band, who are beginners or still at school. The Apprentice band provides free tuition and the loan of instruments – meeting during term -time it is open to all beginners, adults as well as juniors.
The Mechanics is a non-competing band which means they have plenty time to enjoy themselves whilst nevertheless working hard to be the best they can be. Led by musical director, Ian Wildgoose, they play a large variety of music ranging from the traditional brass band fare of hymns and marches, to show tunes and even an occasional pop song!
Over the last 200 years the band has played at Royal Events, town and village carnivals, parages, agricultural shows and all sorts of community events.
The Band keeps itself busy throughout the year, but this year to mark our special anniversary we will be travelling to play with Delph Band, and performing on stage with the world famous Black Dyke band in Huddersfield on 15th June. We have also commissioned a new piece of music in three movements composed for us by Stewart Thorp, who used to conduct the Band. The piece is called “Echoes of Cockermouth” and it will be part of our programme at the Castle this year.