Our Conducting Team
Musical Director: Alan Hobbins
We’re pleased to share that Alan Hobbins (B.A Hons) will be centre stage as our new Musical Director as of summer 2026.
Born in Leicestershire Alan has over 40 years’ experience within the brass band movement as a player and conductor. With years playing for Brighouse and Rastrick, Foden’s and Fairey’s to name a few.
As a conductor he’s had successes from the Yorkshire to the North West regional contests and many more.
A statement from the Alan upon taking over the band –
“I am thrilled to start a new chapter with the Band with solid foundations laid down by Les Webb and Mareika giving myself and the band the opportunity to propel forwards. I am very much looking forwards to the new contest season in 2027 with the NW Area and Spring festival challenge including lots of new projects between now and then supported by a really well run organisation who share my aspirations and ethos.”
We are really excited to work with Alan and cant wait to see what the new chapter of our story holds with him in charge.
Additional Conductors
Previous Musical Directors
Mareika Gray - 2010-2026
Born in Papua New Guinea and growing up in Australia, Mareika played the violin for 10 years, changing to brass at the age of 18. She has played with Brisbane Excelsior, Sola Brass Band in Norway, and with The Ransome Band. She has conducted in Australia and Norway, and Eccles became her first appointment in Britain in February 2010.
As well as helping Eccles grow in strength, she also achieved notable success with Milnrow Band, leading them to their first appearances at both the British Open and at the Championship Section National Finals. She is now in demand across the UK and beyond.
Image of Mareika courtesy of Ian Clowes
Les Webb - 2006-2010
When Les joined Eccles in early 2006, the band had been through a difficult spell and hadn’t contested for a couple of years due to a lack of players. From those early rehearsals with only around 10–12 people in the bandroom, Les helped rebuild Eccles into a full band once again and, more importantly, brought back a real sense of belief, enjoyment and ambition.
Under Les’ direction, Eccles enjoyed much success, including consecutive Butlins victories in 2008 and 2009, along with the band’s most recent Regional Championship win in the Fourth Section in 2009. The success enjoyed during those years remains a proud chapter in the band’s history.
Les sadly passed away suddenly in 2026 and will be deeply missed.