The recent delays to air flights due to the volcanic explosion have caught out a few well known brass banding personalities.

Extra week

Composer Philip Sparke has been forced to stay an extra week in America where he was at the North American Brass Band Championships, because his flight back to the UK was cancelled, whilst Brighouse conductor, Alan Morrison was a bit luckier than most as he was stuck for a few extra days in the Carribean.

Opposite side

Meanwhile, Frank Renton found himself stuck on the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean as the cancellation of his American bound flight meant he had to miss the NABBA Championships.

He is now making sure the same doesn’t happen again as he is due to compere at the European Championship in Linz at th ened of the month.

Do you have a boat?Philip Sparke

Return home

Philip contacted 4BR in the hope of news of a possible return in time to get to Linz and the European Championships.

"I was due to judge at the North American Championships with Frank Renton, and although I made it, Frank didn't, " he said.

"The organizers moved judges around to fill the gap but I’ve been left stranded in the US and will probably have to wait a week for a flight back. I was due to produce a CD with Fodens this weekend and go to the EBBC in Linz the one after. Both these trips now look in doubt."

Philip hasn’t lost his sense of humour though, as he asked 4BR: "Do you have a boat?"