A sad farewell to the founder and president of the Wellington Bluegrass Society
It is with a heavy heart that I pass on this news from Margot Broadhead, about Andrew Bicknell:
“We are devastated to share that Andrew Bicknell suddenly passed away peacefully on Thursday, 1 October.
“A celebration of Andrew’s life will be held at Gee and Hickton Cornwall Manor Funeral Home, Corner Knights Rd & Cornwall Street, Lower Hutt on Friday, 9 October at 1pm. Livestream is available and the recording will last for three months.
“We would love you to join us to celebrate Andrew’s life for his final gig.”
The news is filtering through Facebook and other means of communication. Please pass it on to others who may not yet know as we do not yet have access to the WBS mailing list. As many of you will know, Andrew managed all of the communication (except for adding material to the website), and pretty much everything else himself.
Janette Munneke (WBS Website content uploader)
Concerts, Society Nights, Jam Sessions and Workshops
Please note these events may still be going ahead. Check back later for confirmation.
- Sunday 11th October 12:30pm – clawhammer banjo workshop
- Sunday 11th October 2:00pm – old time jam session
- Sunday 11th October 3:30pm – bluegrass jam session
For further details on these future WBS events go to the Coming Events page.
For past events for this year to date see 2026 Past Events page.
For details on all documented WBS events go to the Past Events page.
This section covers details of all events from the beginning of 2010.
For posters from some of the events prior to 2010 go to the Old Posters page.
This section includes some older event posters.
Recent News:
Concerts and Society Night Venues
During this temporary period of venue disruption, events may take place elsewhere from the Petone community room, especially those where performers need to be booked months in advance.
>> Please refer to each event listing and take note of where it is taking place.
Old time and bluegrass music jam sessions and banjo workshops
(run on the second Sunday of each month, year-round)
The venue for jam sessions and workshops is normally Alicetown Community House
38 Victoria Street (corner of Victoria and Buckley Streets)
Alicetown, Lower Hutt
Please note that due to a fire at the venue on 6th November 2025, the Alicetown venue is currently closed. The sessions and Banjo workshops are being held at the Memelink Artspace, 223 The Esplanade, Petone, until further notice.
> WBS National Treasures
for the growing list of WBS National Treasures go to the National Treasures page.
> 30th Anniversary of the WBS
The Society Night August 21st, 2020 marked the 30th Anniversary of the Wellington Bluegrass Society.
This picture (courtesy of Hans Weston Films) shows Andrew Bicknell, the Founder and President of the WBS, holding a celebratory cake.
The first three decades of the WBS have provided much varied musical entertainment. For indication of the vast variety of music for the last decade go to the Past Events page
.
> Queen’s Service Medal
The Founder and President of the Society is Andrew Bicknell. Announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours on Monday 3rd June 2019, Andrew was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for thirty years of services to music! The Medal was awarded at Government House on 17th September 2019. See the About WBS page for further detail.
Mr Andrew Paul Bicknell: For services to music
Mr Andrew Bicknell has run the Wellington Bluegrass Society since establishing it in 1990.
Over the last 29 years Mr Bicknell has established an internationally recognised venue and following for performers to showcase their music. He has organised at least two concerts every month featuring local, national and international performers. Whilst having bluegrass as a base, his stage has extended to a wide range of high calibre performers of music genres. He has coordinated all bookings and negotiations with artists and service providers alike, then for each show has handled all bookings and ticketing himself. All profits for every show have been given to the performers concerned, to recognise each with the maximum return possible. On top of this, he also writes and sends regular newsletters, creates the graphic design needs for every aspect of the Society, creates website content, organises workshops and music camps for the teaching of instruments and voice, has helped connect those who need tuition or instrument repairs, and has been a point of contact for those wanting information or assistance with the music. Mr Bicknell has encouraged many others to take up instruments, develop their voices, form bands and helped to give them the chance to perform.
and much more to come – keep an eye on this website for details for future events !!
Wellington Bluegrass Society, Petone New Zealand
for good fun and fine music !