Fifteen years ago, a group of brass musicians set out on an adventure unlike any other: to combine their love of music with a passion for the great outdoors. Calling themselves Rambling Brass, they shouldered their instruments, packed their walking boots, and began tackling long-distance trails and mountain climbs — playing concerts along the way and raising awareness for children’s safeguarding. From performing at the summit of Snowdon to serenading walkers on the Coast to Coast route, their journeys created unforgettable memories, plenty of laughter, and a lasting legacy.
Read our interview with Heidi Bradley, the driving force behind Rambling Brass, as she shares the vision that sparked the project, the logistics of walking with instruments, the triumphs along the way, and the funny stories that made the journey unforgettable.
Read our first article about the adventures of Rambling Brass here
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Fusion: Heidi, thank you for speaking with me today. Let’s start at the beginning — how did Rambling Brass come about?
Heidi Bradley: It all started back in 2008. I’d been reading The Pilgrim Snail by Ben Nimmo, a trombonist who walked from Canterbury to Santiago while playing his trombone at points along the way. It sparked something in me that made me want to climb a mountain and play at the top. So I decided, why not and the plan to climb Snowdon was born. I knew it would be a tough challenge, but if I had a purpose alongside it I would make it happen. I have always had a passion for keeping young people safe in the activities they partake in and I knew there was a lack of safeguarding support and training for Brass Bands across the country so I decided to use the publicity we would gain from walking up Snowdon to highlight this issue by raising money for the NSPCC but also challenge bands to talk about Safeguarding at their next committee meeting.
I convinced 13 others to join me. We had a range of players from young people to adults. We played at the summit, halfway up and even performed a concert back at the campsite. We raised over £1000 for the NSPCC, including over £70 in loose change at the top. (A bit of extra weight for the way down!) Our innovative plan caught the attention of the Brass Band media and we were able to get the conversation going regarding Safeguarding in Brass Bands.
Fusion: So, Snowdon was the first step. What happened next?
Heidi: Within a few months of completing Snowdon I knew I couldn’t leave it there. Playing impromptu concerts out in the countryside during our practice walks had been a great feeling, and the people we met were always welcoming and intrigued.
In 2010 we tackled our biggest challenge, completing the Coast to Coast walk, 192 miles from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay. We raised over £2000 for the NSPCC and continued our work promoting Safeguarding. It took two weeks, with a mix of camping and pub stays, and we had a support crew driving a minibus with all our gear. Along the way, we put on concerts — at Grasmere steam railway, a pub in Shap, a garden centre, Kirby Stephen village centre, and of course at the start and finish. Sometimes we’d stop for lunch, get the instruments out, and play impromptu gigs on a hilltop!
That trip was also when we first started using Fusion gig bags. Before that, my old trombone bag left my shoulders raw. Fusion’s padded straps and waist belt made such a difference. They had great storage for waterproof clothes, water and packed lunch. I certainly got a few confused looks from other walked wondering what type of rucksack I had and what was in it, and they were certainly surprised at the answer. The bags did a great job and managed superbly over rough terrain, different weathers and the many varied styles we encountered en-route.
Fusion: The Coast to Coast was a huge leap from Snowdon. How did you recruit people to join you?
Heidi: There was a real buzz after Snowdon and some people asked me if I was going to arrange something more so recruiting the group was easier than I thought. Most were brass players from Lincolnshire, but we did recruit one player, Imogen, from Yorkshire after meeting her at a brass band competition. However, on our very first training walk with her, we managed to get lost and ended up at the Snake Pass Inn needing a taxi back to the start. As she left us to head home, we all watched her go and I said we are never going to see her again are, to which they all replied “Nope!” Luckily she stuck with us, I think more to ensure we made it across the country! She was a great asset to the trip and for the years to come.
We also had great support from non-players. Friends volunteered to drive the minibus, set up camp, and carry water. Family joined us for part of the Coast to Coast, and even the Fusion team walked the first few miles and joined our beach concert at the finish. It was an emotional concert at the beach. The conductor from my band had arranged a March for us called Rambling Brass and joined us at the beach for its debut performance. That concert is a memory we still talk about. I was so proud of all we had achieved.
Fusion: Do you have any fun memories from your trips?
Heidi: There are so many! In 2011 we walked a section of the Pennine Way to the Tan Hill Inn. Playing a concert up there we were greeted by sheep part way through the performance. One of them tried to jump up on to the stage and in doing so put its hoof straight through the NSPCC fundraising banner! It looked like they didn’t approve of us raising money for Children! We had several amusing encounters with sheep, including one leaning on a cornet players shoulder when we were playing and falling asleep! A sheep ended up being part of our logo!
Another amusing moment was during the Coast to Coast, when my dad started taking photos of us holding our completion certificates. We moved on and a few minutes later I wondered where he was. It turned out other walkers had thought he was the official photographer and queued up! He hadn’t realised they weren’t part of the group and had carried on taking photos! As I went back for him I ended up giving them my email address so they could get their photos. It was an unexpected way to spread the word about what we were doing.
And then there was the time one of our cornet players fell backwards with his Fusion bag on his back. The cornet was fine, but he looked exactly like a stranded tortoise — legs waving in the air until we hauled him up!
Fusion: You also linked Rambling Brass with the 2012 Olympics, didn’t you?
Heidi: Yes. That year we joined “Brass the Baton,” a nationwide project where conducting batons were passed between bands like an Olympic torch relay. We walked from Durham and to High Force Falls — about 70 miles over five days.
Fusion: And what about after 2012?
Heidi: In 2015 we had more of a social weekend, playing at a festival in Pickering and then joining another band’s concert in Scarborough. But after that, the safeguarding side of our work really took over and over the next few years I lead a piece of work called BandSafe which developed a series of resources to bands and brought the NSPCC and Brass Bands England together to develop bespoke training.
The great news is that Brass Band England now has safeguarding at the heart of its strategy, with a national lead who provides bands with support, training, and resources for bands. That legacy is now in safe hands and I have now moved more in to increasing Safeguarding within Sport.
Fusion: Do you see Rambling Brass doing something again in the future?
Heidi: I’d love to at some point. We’ve talked about the Yorkshire Wolds Way, which is from the Humber Bridge to Filey. It would be fantastic to revive the spirit of Rambling Brass, maybe link up with local bands along the route, and do it with less need for a support vehicle. A reunion weekend with the original crew would also be wonderful.
For me, it’s always been about mixing music with walking, enjoying the outdoors, and creating memories together. It’s fun, it promotes brass music in a different light, and it brings people together — audiences and players alike. My life mantra is to “make a difference, but have fun while you're doing it” and the work of Rambling Brass has certainly allowed me to do that.
Fusion: Finally, you’ve mentioned Fusion gig bags a few times. What stands out about them?
Heidi: The fact that I’m still using the same trombone bag 15 years later says it all! The straps and zips are as strong as ever. They’ve been up mountains, through mud, over stiles — and they’ve kept our instruments safe every time. My old gig bag just wasn’t up to the job.
For us, they weren’t just bags — they were what made the whole project possible. Without them, I don’t think we’d have had the confidence to take our instruments on such tough walks.
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Looking back, Rambling Brass proved that music doesn’t have to be confined to rehearsal rooms or concert halls — it can travel anywhere, even up mountains and across national trails. Along the way, Fusion gig bags played their part in keeping instruments safe and players comfortable, showing just how important the right gear can be when inspiration strikes. Today, as more brass musicians embrace travel, outdoor performances, and new ways of sharing music, we’re proud to continue supporting those adventures — wherever the journey leads.