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The Decline of Brass Bands: Why You Should Care About This Vanishing Heritage

Cory Booker

A Brass Trumpet playing in a Brass Band

Throughout my childhood, I listened to my grandad as he regaled long, awe-inspiring tales of his days working at the coal face. Fourteen years down your local pit will leave you with no end of stories…from gas leaks to cave-ins. 6-year-old me was fascinated by these tales, as most young boys would be. I eagerly listened as he told me about his experiences, trials and tribulations as a miner.


It’s safe to say that mining communities were some of the most resilient and tightly-knit in England during the 1970s and 1980s. Endless graft and thankless work bonded the miners and the rest of their community followed closely behind.


One of the most crucial parts of a colliery was its brass band.


Brass bands were particularly popular amongst miners. Even today, events like the Durham Miners Gala see thousands of miners pour into the city to proudly honour their heritage. The country's finest brass bands take pride of place.


Unfortunately, despite the nostalgia that surrounds them, brass bands are dying out.


The simple answer as to why this is concerns a lack of interest. Several developments, following their heyday in the 1970s and 80s, have led to brass bands’ gradual decline. One of these is the upsurgence of popular music streaming platforms, such as Spotify and YouTube.


Preserved Headgear at the Haig Coal Mining Museum
Image by Mick Garratt

In the past, mining communities enjoyed listening to brass music, but as more and more collieries closed, their brass bands also went the way of the dodo. The few brass bands that have survived are living precariously—they’re low on members, short on funds, and they’re struggling to gather an audience.


The lack of interest from younger generations is a real shame. Brass bands are such an important part of our heritage in the UK, and to see them slowly die a painful death is something I struggle with.


Why should you care?


Chances are that most of you reading this will have never had an interest in brass music. But perhaps it doesn’t have to be that way for the next generation.


The first few years of our lives are the most formative. It’s a time when we’re more impressionable, quicker at learning, and hungrier for creativity than at any other point in our existence. I’m not saying that all children should be indoctrinated into brass bands, nor should they be forced to learn a particular instrument, but there have been significant studies carried out by major universities and institutions that prove the profound beneficial effects that learning a musical instrument can have on a child’s development. Statistics show that it can make them more creative, more adaptable and more sociable. Those are some great skills to harness, wouldn’t you agree?


These skills can be gleaned from learning to play any musical instrument, from the piano to the electric guitar to the drums. So why do I recommend brass?


Learning to play a brass instrument helps to strengthen your lungs. In several cases, and contrary to popular belief, it actually improves breathing conditions such as asthma, as it teaches you how to control your breathing and your airflow.


Additionally, the social skills that come from playing in a band are invaluable. The brass band community is ever so welcoming to new, younger players. No one will ever put you down for not being ‘good enough’ or ‘not learning quickly enough’. To this day, I clearly remember my first experience with an adult brass band. All week, my 9-year-old-self had been nervous. I questioned myself on whether they would like me, how intimidated I would surely feel… within that first two-hour long Friday night rehearsal, I already felt a part of something special.


That’s what a brass band is and that’s everything it stands for. A brass band is a family.


Google's £32 Billion Bet on Cloud Security: What Wiz Means for the Future of Alphabet

Google's £32 Billion Bet on Cloud Security: What Wiz Means for the Future of Alphabet

19 March 2025

Connor Banks

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In a landmark move, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has announced its largest acquisition to date: a £32 billion all-cash deal to purchase Wiz, a fast-growing cloud security start-up. This strategic acquisition not only highlights the increasing importance of cybersecurity in the AI era but also signals Google’s ambition to challenge Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure in the multi-billion-pound cloud computing market.


A Strategic Play for Cybersecurity Dominance

Wiz, founded in 2020 by cybersecurity veterans, has rapidly ascended as a key player in cloud security. The company specialises in providing tools that help organisations detect and mitigate security risks across major cloud platforms—including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Wiz’s emphasis on a multi-cloud approach has made it particularly attractive in a world where enterprises often rely on multiple cloud providers.

By acquiring Wiz, Google is making a bold statement: Security is now a top priority in its cloud strategy. This comes at a time when cybersecurity threats are escalating and businesses demand more robust protection against breaches, ransomware, and AI-driven attacks.


Why Google Needs Wiz

Despite being a tech giant, Google Cloud remains the third-largest cloud provider, trailing behind AWS and Microsoft Azure. While Google has made significant strides in AI and data analytics, it has struggled to gain an edge in cloud security—a crucial factor for enterprise clients.

  • Enhanced Security Portfolio: Wiz’s platform will strengthen Google Cloud’s security offerings, making it more competitive against Microsoft, which has invested heavily in security solutions.

  • Multi-Cloud Expansion: Unlike some past Google acquisitions that were integrated exclusively into Google’s ecosystem, Wiz will continue to support AWS and Azure, helping Google maintain a presence in rival platforms.

  • AI-Driven Security Solutions: With Google at the forefront of AI, Wiz’s security capabilities can be enhanced using AI-powered threat detection and automation, setting a new industry standard.


Regulatory & Competitive Challenges

However, this deal is not without challenges. Given the £32 billion price tag, Alphabet will face scrutiny from regulators in the UK, the US, and Europe, who may investigate the acquisition for potential anti-competitive concerns. Additionally, the move is expected to intensify competition with Microsoft and Amazon, both of whom have also been ramping up their cybersecurity investments.

While Wiz’s commitment to multi-cloud compatibility is a selling point, there is always the risk that competitors could respond aggressively, either by developing competing technologies or challenging the acquisition on regulatory grounds.


What This Means for the Future of Google

Alphabet’s bet on Wiz highlights a broader shift in Google’s business strategy:

  • Cybersecurity is no longer an afterthought—it’s a centrepiece of cloud innovation.

  • Google Cloud is evolving into a true enterprise powerhouse, aiming to take market share from AWS and Microsoft.

  • AI and security will increasingly converge, with Google leading the charge in developing AI-driven security solutions.

With the deal expected to close in 2026, all eyes will be on how Google integrates Wiz’s platform and whether this move will finally tip the balance in the cloud computing wars.


Conclusion

Google’s acquisition of Wiz is more than just a big-ticket purchase—it’s a strategic shift that underscores the growing role of security, AI, and multi-cloud infrastructure in the future of cloud computing. Whether this gamble pays off will depend on how well Google can execute its vision and convince enterprise customers that it is the safest and smartest choice for their cloud needs.


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