The Cheshire based Silk Brass has won itself a place at the Lower Section National Finals at Harrogate against the odds — and for the second time in a row.

Loss of MD

The band which is based in Macclesfield had to overcome the loss of their regular MD Jim Cant due to illness in January. A call went out for help and bandsmen rallied round with four conductors coming forward to take over the baton.

First to the rescue was Jamie Meredith, followed by Paul Andrews, Peter Christian and finally Dave Hollings, who crossed the Pennines from Yorkshire to led the band at the Winter Gardens to their place at the finals by coming runner up in the First Section.

It was the first time I’ve been to listen to a band and been handed an instrument. The wife of one of the players even went and bought me a white shirt to wear!Keith Hilton

Further illness

However, only days before the contest two players were hit by illness and a third on the day of the contest.

The band replaced the third casualty with a cornet playing supporter, Keith Hilton, who should have been among the audience but found himself playing a tenor horn.

White shirt

"I’ve never played the horn before, but I couldn’t say no when I was asked if I could step in and help," said Keith.

"It was the first time I’ve been to listen to a band and been handed an instrument. The wife of one of the players even went and bought me a white shirt to wear!"

Astonishing

The band’s chairman, Barry Worth, told 4BR: "There have been a lot of problems for the band and it certainly looked as though we would have been out of the running this year. It was astonishing how people rallied round and in particular the help we had from conductors after Jim was taken ill. It'ss been a big achievement against all the odds to have qualified as we did."