Last Night of the Proms

St Michael and All Angels Church will host an evening of music and celebration on Saturday, September 26 2026, when the Pemberton Old Wigan Band returns for the church’s annual Last Night of the Proms concert.

The band brings an impressive record of recent competition success. Winners of the 2025 British Open Spring Festival Senior Cup and the Championship Section at the 2025 Red Admiral Entertainment Contest, Pemberton also secured third place at the 2026 North West Regional Championships.

The concert will feature popular and patriotic music, culminating in audience participation, flag-waving and the traditional Last Night of the Proms finale.

Whether you are a longstanding brass band enthusiast or simply looking for an enjoyable evening of live music, everyone is warmly welcome to join this celebration at the heart of the local community.

Tickets cost £12.

Saturday 26 September 2026 Time: 7:30pm Venue: St Michael & All Angels Church, Duke Street, Wigan, WN1 2BJ

Tickets and enquiries: phone 07792 414964 or  01942 235900 or in Church

History of Pemberton Old Wigan Brass Band

The Pemberton Old Wigan Brass Band is one of the oldest and most respected brass band organisations in the North West of England, with roots stretching back to the Victorian era.

Origins (1877)

The band was formed around 1877 in the Pemberton area of Wigan, during the great expansion of brass band culture in Britain's industrial towns. Like many Lancashire bands of the period, it emerged from a community shaped by coal mining, engineering, and local industry. Historical records show the band participating in national competitions as early as 1895, under conductor William Rimmer.

Early Successes

By the early 20th century, Pemberton Old had established itself as a leading brass band. One of its greatest achievements came in 1903, when the band won the prestigious British Open Brass Band Championship, performing music from Caractacus by Edward Elgar. This victory remains a landmark in the band's history.

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the band regularly appeared in performances across Lancashire, including events at Belle Vue, Wigan, Bolton, and Whitefield, with conductor James Fairhurst leading the band during much of this period.

Post-War Years and Development

After the Second World War, the band continued competing and performing locally. Like many traditional brass bands, it experienced periods of rebuilding and changing fortunes, moving through different contesting sections over the decades while maintaining its community presence.

Modern Era

In 1995 Pemberton Old Band took over the running of Wigan & District Brass and incorporated the name of its hometown, becoming the Pemberton Old Wigan Band as it is known today.

Significant modern successes include:

● Winning the National Championship of Great Britain First Section Final in 2004.

● Winning the North West First Section Area Championship in 2017.

● Winning the National Championship of Great Britain First Section Final again in 2017.

● Returning to compete in the Championship Section, the highest level of British brass banding and qualifying for the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall on four occasions.

● Winning the Senior Cup at the 2025 Spring Festival and returning to compete in the prestigious Grand Shield

Community and Education

Today, the organisation functions as more than a single band. In 1996 a Youth Band under the baton of Mr John Don Duncan was created and shortly after a B Band founded by Mr Peter Ashley was set up, to bridge the gap between the newly formed Youth Band and established Pemberton Old ‘Senior’ Band. It is with this model the Pemberton Brass Band organisation places an emphasis on grass roots banding and free youth musical education.

Bandroom and Local Heritage

The band's headquarters are on Enfield Street, Pemberton, in the former Mount Zion Independent Methodist Church, a building with deep local historical connections. The site has served as the band's home for many years and has undertaken extensive renovations to develop a concert hall with the aim to promote the brass band movement.

Historical Significance

With a documented history dating back to 1877, a British Open Championship title, more than a century of contest appearances, and a continuing role in music education, the Pemberton Old Wigan Brass Band is regarded as one of the historic brass band institutions of the Wigan area and the wider North West brass band tradition.

For current information about the band, its concerts, and its training bands, see www.pembertonoldwiganband.co.uk