By Dianne Craven
Around 150 people gathered in Pudsey on Whitsunday to enjoy the opening concert of the 2026 Bands in the Park season, held in warm and sunny conditions.
The event featured The Haworth Band, a long-established brass ensemble from the Brontë Country town of Haworth. The concert began with a lively medley from Mary Poppins, setting the tone for an afternoon of varied and entertaining music.
The programme included selections from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, alongside works by Elgar and Debussy, as well as popular numbers from the musical Oliver!. A highlight for many was a rousing performance of the theme from the classic sitcom Open All Hours.
Attendees praised the event as a chance to enjoy music in a relaxed, outdoor setting. One visitor, who had travelled from Cross Gates, said the concerts were “a great place for family and friends to meet and enjoy excellent brass band music.”
Band members also said that they had enjoyed coming to Pudsey. Their only comment was that it was too hot in the bandstand for them to wear their usual bright red jackets as they were just to warm wearing them.
Thankfully, hot and cold drinks and plenty of ice cream were readily available.
The Pudsey performance was part of a wider programme of summer concerts taking place in parks across Leeds. Further events in West Leeds are scheduled for 31 May, with Drighlington Brass Band appearing at Farnley Hall Park, and Bradford Concert Band performing at Victoria Park, Calverley. Both concerts begin at 2.30pm.
In Bramley, Tutti! Leeds Community Concert Band will perform on 21 June at Bramley Park.
More information about the concert series is available at leedsconcertseason.co.uk.
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