Following their recent 3rd place in the Brass at the Guild Third Section, Coppull and Standish has welcomed four new players to the band ahead of the North West Area qualifiers.

Due to the departure of Ray Bannister (flugel) and Lisa Houghton (2nd horn) the band welcomes back from retirement John Holcroft, Keith Hough, Lyn Ratchford and Chris Ratchford.

It was such a waste that players of this calibre were in retirement and it is great news that they will be back amongst friends and colleagues making music againTony Hodgetts

Welcome back

Chairman Tony Hodgetts told 4BR: "All four players have ties to other players in the band going back many years, three of them having been members of the now extinct Bedford (Leigh) and Hindley Bands."

Colin added: "It was such a waste that players of this calibre were in retirement and it is great news that they will be back amongst friends and colleagues making music again. As a band we would like to thank Ray and Lisa for the commitment and service and wish them all the best for the future."