Brass band getting ready to sound off for comeback show
A BRASS band that has been playing for more than 140 years and was on the verge of collapse has turned a corner - and is now preparing for its official relaunch concert.
Haslingden and Helmshore band are playing a concert on Friday, October 14 at the Empire Thwaites Theatre in Blackburn.
The band has struggled after a turbulent few years losing players and working their way through a string of temporary musical directors but is seeking to recover itself.
Bass trombonist Phil Smith said: “We are currently in the process of rebuilding the band – a task that looked impossible as little as a few weeks ago.
“We started rehearsal and realised we didn’t have enough players to play 10 piece music. We seriously considered dissolving the band but with a rich 147 year history at stake if we were to go then we’d go out fighting! We all decided we needed to continue and came up with a plan.”
The band have appointed a new musical director - Huw Thomas a talented trumpet player who has conducted bands such as Pennine Brass, Staffordshire, Thoresby Colliery, Leyland and Blackburn and Darwen who he remains the musical conductor of.
Phil said: “I receive a call from Huw, who I know as we’ve worked together before saying he had heard of the bands predicament and urged us to continue. Huw gave me great advice and tremendous amounts of encouragement that I will always be grateful for. Huw also offered to take a rehearsal or two until we found our feet.” ●● The Haslingden and Helmshore brass band in rehearsals
Huw said: “I’ve conducted Haslingden a few times in the past and have a real soft spot for them as not only are they a very good 1st section outfit they are really lovely genuine people so when a friend told me of what had happened I felt I had to offer some help if they needed it.”
Now the band only have a couple of vacancies to fill - and they are searching for quality players to join them.
The band rehearse on Tuesday nights from 8-10pm in the band room on Wells Street in CONTACT: CHARLOTTE GREEN OFFICE: 0161 211 2469 MOBILE: 07342 080524 @CharGreenMEN charlotte.green@trinitymirror.com Haslingden. Tickets for their come-back show are avaiable priced at £5 from the Empire Thwaites Theatre box office or from the band’s chairman Terry Phelan on 07048 429813.
A PLANNING application has been submitted to convert a storage building into a dwelling.
The applicant wishes to convert a domestic store building into a house at Coldwells Cottage on Roundhill Road in Haslingden.
HELMSHORE Primary School are preparing to hold their open afternoon for parents and prospective pupils.
The event will take place on Friday, October 21 from 1.45-2.45pm. There will be examples of children’s work, displays as well as an opportunity to meet with children and staff. Refreshments will be available.
Primary school applications close on January 15, 2017.
THE community group Love Haslingden are asking Valley residents their opinion on how to celebrate Lancashire Day. This year the day falls on Sunday, November 27 and Love Haslingden have suggested they stage a farmers’ market at Haslingden Market to mark the day. A proclamation would then be read out at the event. To give your views email hello@ lovehaslingden.com.
A DRY stone walling training weekend will take place in Haslingden on October 8-9 at the Grane Road and Holden Arms area, run by the Lancashire and mid-west branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain.