What’s the Connection?
Mark and Anita were both born and bred in Marple. Mark was born at 36 Church Lane, just down the road from the Ring O’ Bells. They attended different primary schools, Mark at All Saints, Anita at The Dale. They met when they both attended secondary school, then known as The Willows, it is now the Ridge Danyers six-form college. They have been together since, getting married in 1982.
Mark moved with his parents to the Navigation at the end of 1965, when he was four years of age. The Marple Prize Band was then using the small room above the old stables at the side of the Navigation as a rehearsal room. The band had only been reformed in 1964 and was struggling to keep a few players together in the small, cold room.
Marks father, Ron who had always had an interest in brass bands, made the upstairs room at the Navigation available to them. At the age of five Mark became the first mascot of the band. (note the pictures in the rooms of the Ring O’ Bells). He took up playing a cornet when he was ten, and then trombone when he was twelve. By the age of fifteen he was the Solo Trombone player with the band.
The band took on a more modern image in the early 1970’s changing its name to “The Marple Band”. Mark, along with encouragement from Anita has always kept his main interest in brass bands. When he became licensee of the Square & Compass at Darley Dale in 1990, Mark involved himself with the brass bands in that area, promoting brass band concerts on Sunday evenings in the large car park. Mark still plays his trombone, at present he plays Solo Trombone with the Marple Band.
The Marple Band
The Marple Band is a traditional Brass Band based in the small town of Marple, just outside Stockport and on the edge of the Peak District. The Band seeks to enjoy playing quality music to a good standard. Their engagements are aimed at charity work, fund-raising and maintaining and enhancing the band’s relationship with the community. Click here for more information.
Hawk Green Band
The Hawk Green Band was originally formed in 1982 as a junior feeder band to The Marple Band and was known first as Marple Brass and then as Marple ‘B’ Band. In 1986 it started to compete in contests, having its first win at the Pilkington Northern Open Contest in St. Helens in 1988. In 1997 the band took its current name of Hawk Green (Marple) Band. Click here for more information.
