The second Brass at the Castle festival, which took place over two days at Brougham Hall, was hailed a triumphant success.
A new home was found this year, following the festival’s inaugural staging at Lowther Castle in 2024, and participants and audiences alike praised the venue for its facilities and fabulous atmosphere.
Brougham Hall was brought to life over the weekend as more than 800 musicians and visitors filled the picturesque grounds.
Taking part were a number of Eden-based bands, including Kirkby Stephen Silver Band, Appleby Town Band, Penrith Training Band, BlueJam’s Street Beats, plus Tebay’s T-Brass and Melody Makers.
Cumbria Youth Brass Band was also in attendance along with bands from the west coast of the county and Integrate Cumbria, which is a refugee group consisting of young people and families largely based in and around the Penrith area.
Others came from further afield, including the Royal Northern College of Music plus the Lancashire Youth Band and Lancashire Schools Band, which are both based in Chorley.
The festival featured bands playing sets, each lasting about 30 minutes, on two separate stages throughout the two days. In addition, those attending got the chance to take part in interactive workshops for beginners and pros alike as well being able to have a go at hands-on family activities.
Players aged from five to 85 took part — from those performing to a big audience for the first time to top flight musicians, including the Paramount and Creswell quintets from the Royal Northern College of Music.
Julie Hoggarth, of Drum and Brass Community Interest company, which organised the event, said: “We are so lucky to have thriving, developing and joyful community music here in Cumbria.
Everyone enjoyed themselves and we thank Brougham Hall for hosting us.”
She also thanked all the volunteers who helped make the event a success.
Ellen Pogson, who co-ordinated the festival on behalf of Brougham Hall, said: “We’ve been really excited to bring the brass festival to Brougham Hall to support the brass music community.
“We were so pleased that we could welcome so many visitors. Please get in touch via our website to find out if we could support your community event.”
