After barely two weeks of preparation and with a steely amount of determination from Andrea Moss and fellow founder members, a famous name from the brass band movement's obituary ledger recently returned to life on the concert stage — for the first time in 85 years.

National champion

Horwich RMI Band (Railway, Mechanics Institute) was originally established in 1912 and soon became a leading top flight band — securing its place in history by winning the 1922 National Championship of Great Britain title at Crystal Place under the baton of the great John Greenwood.

However, the band folded in 1931, destined to become yet another long forgotten footnote of a contesting past, but thanks to the remarkable work of Andrea and friends the band has risen once more to perform its first concert in nearly nine decades to an appreciative local audience at the RMI Club.

Positive

Andrea told 4BR: "I truly believe that this mixture of heritage and talent will make Horwich RMI a recognised name once more.

It's positive and reassuring that many people and organisations in our community have already pledged support, including a lucrative sponsorship deal with Miller Metcalfe."

I truly believe that this mixture of heritage and talent will make Horwich RMI a recognised name once moreAndrea Moss

Youth band

The band has already formed a solid core of quality players but is still on the lookout for a few positions to be filled for their rehearsals that take place each Monday night at Horwich RMI Club.

Plans are also in place to form a contesting youth band as early as September, headed up by Foden's Anna Hughes-Williams.