Elland Silver Band has been announced as one of 103 UK volunteering groups to win this year’s 'Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service' — the MBE for volunteer groups.

Honour

The prestigious honour recognises outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others.

It sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged of the highest standard.

Expert tuition

Elland has received the award for its work over many years by its team of volunteers who provide expert musical tuition to people of all ages and backgrounds, for performing brass band music to the local and wider community, supporting local and national charities and for continuing the heritage of brass bands.

Winners of this year’s Award were selected from 341 groups nominated by members of the public.

Working voluntarily for the community is very worth while, it helps to keep communities together and provides the opportunity to enhance and make changes to peoples lives and wellbeingKathleen Harrison

Buck House

Elland will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's representative, Dr Ingrid Roscoe BA Phd FSA at a special ceremony.

The group has also received an invitation for representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in the summer.

Thrilled

MD Kathleen Harrison told 4BR: "We are thrilled to have received this prestigious honour for the work we do in and around the Elland community. Working voluntarily for the community is very worth while, it helps to keep communities together and provides the opportunity to enhance and make changes to peoples lives and wellbeing."

Benefit

Award Committee Chairman and former newsscaster Martyn Lewis CBE added: "It’s a great pleasure to celebrate the efforts of Elland Silver Band with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and help raise awareness of all they do for the benefit of others."

Music for a Bandsman

In keeping with their approach to helping the community the band will also help remember the memory of Stephen Thornton, the former Hammond's Sauce principal cornet player, who died earlier this year.

They will be part of a special concert heled in Brighouse on 12th June which will feature friends, collegues and plenty of brass band music in a celebration of his life in banding.

Full details are on the 4BR Classfied Area.