The Fairey Band has announced a number of new signings ahead of their North West Regional title defence in Blackpool next month.

Return

David Gillson returns to the repiano seat after several months away playing flugel, with Lottie Groves, previously with Rothwell Temperance, filling the vacant '4th man' chair on the solo cornet bench. The vastly experienced BBb bass player Andrew Warriner comes in to complete the bass section.

Star flugel

Meanwhile, following her departure from Brighouse & Rastrick, star flugel player Lucy Cutt returns to the Stockport band to fill the role vacated by Mike Eccles.

These are excellent signings and hold us in good stead as we look forward to what promises to be an exciting contesting seasonBand Manager, Nigel Beasley.

Thanks

Band Manager Nigel Beasley told 4BR: "These are excellent signings and hold us in good stead as we look forward to what promises to be an exciting contesting season.

We also thank Mike for 11 fantastic years of committed service and outstanding playing with Fairey Band. He has ever increasing responsibilities with the highly successful Poynton Youth Band and his peripatetic work and feels it is time for a new challenge.

We wish Mike well for the future and hope to maintain links with our future Acid Brass projects."