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Portishead Town Band are a successful brass band from Portishead, Somerset near Bristol. They are formed as a brass band (British style), consisting of 28 amateur musicians and plays a wide variety of musical styles. The band is based in the nearby town of the same name, 13 km (8 mi) west of Bristol and rehearses in Gordano School.
History
editThe band was formed in Portishead, in 1968 by Bill Blaker who worked at the Portishead power station. It went through several incarnations, including the Electricity Club Band and Clarence House Brass before settling on the current formation and name.
TV and radio performances
editThe band was featured heavily in the BBC TV show Perfectly Frank in the 1990s, which starred Mike Reid's character from Eastenders. It has also been recorded and broadcast on local radio stations in the Bristol area.
Recognition
editRecognition of the band's musical stature is seen in its numerous competition successes throughout the years, including three appearances[clarification needed] at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, winners of the Weston Super Mare Brass Band Contest, being champion band at the Wychavon Festival of Brass and winners several times at the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association competition. It is currently ranked as one of the top 250 bands in the world.[citation needed]