Former member of the Ransome Band are set to enjoy a re-union at the Bolsover Festival of Brass this weekend as they reunite to compete in the charity event to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

Re-union contest

On Saturday, Ransome will be one of five competing bands alongside Jones & Crossland/Heart of England, Rhodian Brass, William Davis and Boobs & Brass, hoping to roll back the years to claim the honours as well as raising much needed funds for a great cause.

Ransome will be conducted by Russell Gray, one of the band’s past professional conductors and have been preparing for the vent with rehearsals at their former bandroom – something that has brought back many happy memories for a number of players.

And although the band no longer competes it still remains ready to spring back to life with a full set of instruments, uniforms, music library and band room4BR

Success

Formed in 1937 as Ransome & Marles, in Newark in Nottinghamshire the band grew in popularity and success with performance son radio and television as well as playing a role in the Oscar winning film "Women in Love" in 1970.

Open champion

The band won the British Open Championship in 1951 under the direction of the great Eric Ball, and very nearly added the National Championship to its CV too – the last occasion being in 2000, when under Russell Gray they came runner up at the Royal Albert Hall.

They also appeared at the European Championships the following year, whilst their last major success came in wining the Butlins Mineworkers title in 2005.

Back to life

And although the band no longer competes it still remains ready to spring back to life with a full set of instruments, uniforms, music library and band room.

This weekend could well see the Ransome phoenix rise from the flames once more...