According to the BBC programme 'Antiques Roadshow', you never know what treasures you might find hidden away in a dusty attic or an old garden shed.

Well, for John Barrett of Kirkbymoorside Town Band that was just about what happened when he took along an old ophicleide to the BBC programme to try and find out more about it and its value.

Passed down

John enjoyed a wonderful day at Burton Constable Hall (site of one the first brass band contests in the world) with the instrument that was given to the band by a lady called Jane Russell. She had been given it after it was passed down through family generations from the time when her great-Grandfather used to play in the original Kirkbymoorside Town Band.

It is understood that the instrument is the one that appears in the oldest photo of the band taken at Rievaulx in the mid 1850's, and which for many years had hung on back of the door to her father's and grandfather's joinery workshop.

John took the instrument along with old band photos to see what the experts made of it, and to explain the story that links the ophicleide to over 200 years of community music making in the town4BR

200 year link?

John took the instrument along with old band photos to see what the experts made of it, and to explain the story that links the ophicleide to over 200 years of community music making in the town.

The result was that Antiques expert Adam Schoon was so keen on the instrument that John was interviewed and filmed for possible use on the show either later this year or early 2017 — although viewers will have to wait until then to find out exactly what it's worth.

Broadcast

The broadcast will take place Sunday, 26th March at 8pm on BBC One.