News

After almost twenty years as the pride of the Vardy Foundation, the Reg Vardy Band is excited to announce that, from the beginning of next contest season, it will be changing its name to the EverReady Band.

The association with the Vardy Foundation ended in March 2022 and, since then, the outfit has been entirely self-funding. Under Sir Peter Vardy’s generous sponsorship, the band recorded some of its most successful years, achieving third place at the National Finals in 2004 and fifth place at the World Championships in 2005, as well as winning the Grand Shield in 2011 and the French Open in 2017.

Reg Vardy Band is humbled by and grateful for the support of Sir Peter and the Foundation, but the time has now come to move forward under a new name and to forge new partnerships and associations.

Although the Ever Ready name pays homage to the band’s history, the new EverReady Band is in no way associated with the former battery company. The logo is based upon the West Stanley Pit Disaster Memorial, which stands outside North Durham Academy a few hundred metres from the band room. The memorial at the grave of the 168 victims was dedicated by the band upon the centenary of the explosion in the snow of February 2009, in the graveyard adjacent to the band’s headquarters in View Lane, Stanley.

The band’s history and present are firmly rooted in the Stanley area, and the local councillors are supporting the band’s 52nd appearance at the National Finals in October. We’re proud to represent Stanley and to take our heritage forward with us in a year which has seen a return to the form of the past.

The Reg Vardy Band would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Hope to see you in 2022!

Recent improvements to our bandroom were made possible by generous grant funding from Stanley Town Council.

The band would like to thank Town Mayor Coun. Carol Hampson and the Council for their invaluable support.