*
banner

Potters Bar to help Fabio and the lads

The Potters Bar Band has teamed up with Charlie Chaplin and a German zeppelin to help Fabio Capello bring the World Cup back to Blighty. Honest.

 

England’s chances of winning the World Cup in South Africa will be given a massive musical boost this year, thanks to inspiration from the most unlikely of sources.

Over the moon

If things go to plan as English supporters hope, then Charlie Chaplin, a First World War zeppelin and the Potters Bar Band will play their part in ensuring Fabio Capello and the lads will be over the moon and not as sick as a parrot — all thanks to a brilliant World Cup winning song.

Blighty

The song, called 'Bring it back to Blighty', started life as a community project, whose inspiration harks back to the trenches of the First World War.

Even though there is a fun element to it all, the backstory is fascinating and very poignant. The story behind the film is a real connection to Potter’s BarStuart Fearn

Facinating story

Stuart Fearn, one of the driving forces behind it all told 4BR the fascinating story.

"The idea came about after we saw a documentary on a rare Charlie Chaplin film that was recently discovered – believed to be one of the rarest pieces of film in the world.

"The silent movie shows a title card from 1916 that would have instructed the local cinema pianist to play the song, 'Take me back to dear old Blighty', whilst also making reference to a German zeppelin that was shot down in Potters Bar."

Bizarre

The rather bizarre connections to the local town gave Stuart and friends the idea to explore the story further, and after gaining permission from EMI recordings, who owned the rights to the old song, they set it to music with a signing group and asked the band to join in.

Spectacular success

The result has been a spectacular success, with Talksport radio taking a real interest in trying to promote it as the unofficial World Cup song for Fabio and the lads in South Africa.

Stuart added: "Even though there is a fun element to it all, the backstory is fascinating and very poignant. The story behind the film is a real connection to Potter’s Bar."

See and hear the song

http://www.bringitbacktoblighty.co.uk/video.html

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


ConsTest

Result: 2026 ConsTest Birmingham Open

April 11 • Derwent Brass claim the honours in the heart of Birmingham with a show of future ambition.


New Zealand

Results: 2026 New Zealand National Championships

April 11 • North Shore Brass breaks the Wellington stranglehold on the A Grade honours as there are section wins for St Kilda Brass, Rolleston Brass, Brass Whanganui Concert Brass and Tonga Collge Brass


Eikanger-Bjørsvik celebrating

World Rankings: April 2026

April 9 • Eikanger-Bjørsvik return to the top of the rankings following their recent victory at the Norwegian Championships in Bergen.


Victoria Wood

Limited tickets only for NYBBGB Easter concerts

April 8 • There are only limited tickets left if you wish to enjoy the New Horizons Concerts of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Leyburn and Manchester — so be quick.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


St John's Band (Mossley)

April 12 • BBb BASS player required following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

April 12 • SOLO CORNET players required (position negotiable) following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

April 12 • WHIT FRIDAY MORNING - all players welcome.. . Experience Whit Friday morning in the Mossley Whit Walks from 9am on 29 May, with food and drink at the Yorkshire Ward after the march.


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd