Over the last two years, outdoor events have been a great way of predicting rain for Otley Brass Band it seems.

This weekend, they were out for an outdoor Proms concert at How Stean Gorge and the day can only be described as exciting.

How Stean is a very picturesque spot up in Nidderdale in the Yorkshire Dales but the roads leading there are quire narrow and run alongside the River Nidd.

Pouring

When the band arrived, the rain was pouring and they were delighted to see that a tent had been set up for them to play in, but as the rain eased off to become merely torrential, it became clear there was a small stream running through the tent from the basses, under the horns and over the feet of the MD.

The concert was very successful and well received, and in light of the continuing downpour, the selection of music was very appropriate including “Beyond the Sea” and “The Dambusters March”Otley Band

Salvage

To salvage the concert the band were moved into the other end of the tent set up for the audience and set about turning North Yorkshire’s version of the Glastonbury festival field from a mud bath into a stage.

Success

The concert was very successful and well received, and in light of the continuing downpour, the selection of music was very appropriate including “Beyond the Sea” and “The Dambusters March”.

It was perhaps a good thing they decided not to play the “Fantasia on British Sea Songs”. Perhaps a few verses of 'Nearer My God To Thee' would have suited the occasion better!

The band still managed to salvage a pleasant afternoon for an appreciative audience and the sight of waved umbrellas instead of union jack flags in Land of Hope and Glory was a novelty!

Rounded off

Peter Scott told 4BR that it didn't end there: "How do you round this all off? Simple, as the concert ended, the organiser arrived to point out that there was little point leaving and trying to go the normal route back to Otley as the River Nidd had burst its banks and the road was closed."

40 mile detour

This led to some band members making a 40 mile detour to get home, while others simply waited for the waters to fall and relied on the help of the local Fire Brigade to get through the floods.

The band are earnestly hoping for better weather next week at the Hardraw Contest!