in the pit worked from No.4 shaft were unharmed. William Rimmer It was in 1891 that the band signed its first professional conductor, Mr William Rimmer from Southport. Mr Rimmer was one of the all-time 'giants' of the British band movement. By the turn of the century he had transformed Wingates into an outfit amongst the finest in the land. In 1906 the band achieved the 'double' of British Open and British national Champions. This was repeated in 1907, a feat known as the 'double double' which has only once been emulated since then in the 1970s by the world famous Black Dyke Mills Band. Current Personnel The current principal positions currently include: Soprano Cornet: Rob Richardson Principal Cornet: Andrew MacDonald Flugel Horn: Nicola Shaw Solo Horn: Melanie McFarland Solo Baritone: Ben Scrivener Solo Trombone: Russell Marsh Solo Euphonium: Tom Coen Solo Eb Bass: Connor Gingell Their current musical director is Paul Andrews. Roll of Honour Albums Somewhat surprisingly, given the prevailing constraints of the time, the first-ever Wingates gramophone records were made in the summer of 1915, during the dark days of World War I. Wingates is an active performing band and also has a long recording history. The recent recording Nyman Brass containing arrangements of compositions by the British minimalist composer Michael Nyman. The band recently recorded 5 tracks in BBC Media City philharmonic hall for BBC Radio 2 show listen to the band with Frank Renton to celebrate its 140th anniversary. External links Wingates Band People from Westhoughton British brass bands Musical groups established in 1873 1873 establishments in England