​2025 - Moving into our fourth half-century... 

Water Village Band is proud to play under the baton of our Conductor & Musical Director Michael Rourke. Mike has been our Conductor/MD since 2021 having previously played with the band as front row cornet. Born in Sharneyford here in The Rossendale Valley, Mike's love of brass banding goes back to his university days in North East England. After returning to Rossendale he took up teaching posts in Rochdale with music as his second subject. He played and conducted at several local bands before joining Water as a player and later Conductor & Musical Director. Mike brought his musical enthusiasm with him and continues to improve the talents of the band both individually and as a group.

The Senior Band meets for practice on Wednesday evenings from 7.00pm 'til 9.00pm. Arrival time is 6.45pm.

The Beginners/Improvers Session is on Saturday mornings between 9:30am and 12:30pm. Beginners have a half hour teaching session followed by an hour of playing alongside the Improvers. After a brew break everyone practices Senior pieces until 12.30.

We are always open to new recruits. You can use the contacts page to get in touch, or just call into the bandroom during one of our practice sessions.

All ages welcome, no previous music experience needed, free tuition, free loan of instrument. And above all, free FUN!

About Water Village Band:

Water Village Band is the oldest of the Rossendale Valley’s five village brass bands. It was formed as Water Band in 1866 and has a long and proud history as a contest and prize band.  It was renamed Water Village Band in 2019 to reflect its current role as Rossendale’s primary community-focused brass band. 

Our Bandroom is on Burnley Road East, close to Lumb Baptist Church.  We offer free tuition to anyone who would like to learn to play and age is no barrier!

The band funds itself through a series of concerts and other fundraising activities. In 2025 we introduced a voluntary membership scheme.

Each year we undertake many different type of events, including marches and church processions, indoor and outdoor concerts, and Remembrance Sunday commemorations. At Christmas we play Christmas carols in the local supermarkets and around the streets of Water and Lumb and further afield. We have also raised money for local charities.

The band is made up of a good cross section of ages and abilities with ages ranging from seven to over 80. We are a friendly group of people who enjoy making music and welcome any new players who would like to join us.

To find out more information please feel free to contact John Mitchell on 07816-765-474, use the contact form on this website, or just pop in and see us; you will be made very welcome.