Many of the North East's finest musicians will be helping to celebrate a wonderful 50 year friendship through music making between two of members of the Reg Vardy Band.

Close friends

Alan Catherall and Bob Temple (both above) first met, aged 11, when they attended trumpet lessons together.

They have remained close friends ever since and have since played together in orchestras, brass bands, brass ensembles and big bands throughout the area.

Alan Catherall and Bob Temple first met, aged 11, when they attended trumpet lessons together4BR

Research

The event takes place in Spennymoor Town Hall on Saturday May 30th.

Organiser Hugh Stephenson, who is promoting the occasion to help raise money for the Neurosurgical Research Fund at James Cook Hospital after Bob’s wife, Lesley, had surgery there to remove a brain tumour, told 4BR: “Bob and Alan are current members of Reg Vardy Band, Darlington Big Band and Nova Brass Ensemble and these musicians have all agreed to perform on this special night, it should be a great night of music making.”