One cold winters evening in 2004, the Wellington (Telford) Brass Band were playing carols outside Sainsburys in Telford (my it was chilly!), when a bearded gent approached the band. After a good chinwag we realised that we had a mutual interest - to have a Brass Band Festival in Telford. The gentleman in question was Bob Scott, a member of the Ironbridge & Severn Gorge Lions.

This was the first of several meetings and countless phone calls; the ball was really rolling and gaining momentum.

There was no need to look to far for a good cause to support. It was decided that the charity to be supported would be and still is The Severn Hospice Appeal. All the bands agreed to play for FREE from the championship bands to the small town bands any proceeds to go to the Hospice fund.

The first year - 2005, there were 8 bands and £1,000 was raised for the Hospice Appeal. In 2006 we had 11 bands and £2,200 was raised for the Appeal.

The Ironbridge Gorge Brass Band Festival 2007 was a fantastic success with a record number of bands participating and, despite the awful weather, visitor numbers which were well up on the previous year.

The festival also raised over £2,000 for Severn Hospice and was filmed by ITV for national broadcast in 2008 as part of the “Tales from the Country” programme. To be screened on Sunday 22 nd June at 6.00pm on ITV Central.