Bolton based Eagley Band was formed in 1850 and is one of the oldest, but most modern brass bands in the World. Founded within Bolton’s Eagley Mills to the north side of the town, the band was known as Eagley Mills Band for over 120 years until 1971, when the mills closed down and the band renamed simply Eagley Band. A registered UK not-for-profit charity (No.1181741), Eagley Band has already achieved well over half a century of highly popular and successful music making since the mills closed.

The band has enjoyed many competition, concert and broadcasting successes but to top everything, and most recently of all, in November 2025 Eagley became proud recipients of The King’s Award For Voluntary Service For 2025, the MBE for volunteer groups, in conjunction with our Community Band (established 2003) and Community Choir (established 2013). This wonderful King’s Award recognition is for everyone involved at Eagley and was announced officially on Friday November 14th, the 77th birthday of King Charles III. No other adult brass band in the UK was named as a 2025 recipient of the King’s Award and just a single youth band (from Macclesfield) was the only other representative from within the brass band genre this year. 

With 2025 being Eagley 175th anniversary year too, the musical highlights have been qualifying for the National Brass Band Finals of Great Britain once again, for the second time in four years by virtue of finishing in 2nd place, runners-up at the North West Area contest at Blackpool Opera House back in February, being promoted to the 1st Section from next January as a result, and on Saturday October 4th we held a spectacular Gala Reunion Concert in the Victoria Hall which featured international Trumpet star Mike Lovatt as our special guest soloist (please see Gallery for the superb Paul Gray photographs). Mike is the celebrated Lead Trumpet of the BBC Big Band, The John Wilson Orchestra and features on many Harry Potter, James Bond film soundtracks of the past thirty years (Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig) and on Hollywood films ranging from Chicago to Marvel Endgame.

Our Musical Director since 2016 has been Chris Wormald and prior to this he was also MD of the band from 1989 through to 1997. We are extremely proud to be sponsored by Sky People Training Ltd, a world class, Manchester-based aviation cabin crew training business which assists companies to train, develop and recruit staff.

Eagley Band is a friendly, social and equal opportunities band and always welcome players whether they are wishing to join or just wanting to sit in for a rehearsal whilst in the vicinity. Our website contains lots of information about the past, present and future of the band as well as an extensive concert photo gallery and listing of all our events and engagements.

If you would like to book the band please get in touch with us via our contact page.

Want to know more about the band? click the links below.