Old Silkstone Band recently presented a highly successful and inventive concert in Dodworth — one that transported their audience back to the optimistic days of the late 1940s and early 1950s.

It formed part of the wider Learning Disabilities Awareness Week, an initiative that promoted a sense of inclusion for community events with people from care homes and supported living having the opportunity to enjoy events that would not always be readily available to them.

Varied programme

Under the direction of MD Gavin Somerset, dressed as a very pucker RAF officer, they showcased a varied programme of entertaining music; from classic a Whit Friday march to Glenn Miller with lots of favourites in-between.

Solo spots were provided by principal cornet Martin Battersby, with a super rendition of the Harry James classic 'Virtuosity', flugel horn Charlotte Bailey, with a lovely performance of 'The Way You Look Tonight', soprano, Wendy Atkinson with her suave 'Cry Me A River' and euphonium, Robert Williams, with a cracking 'Bui Doi'.

The concert drew to a close with the nostalgic 'We'll Meet Again' which enabled the audience to join in with the music making.

The concert was a very special as it was open to anyone to come along — it was all about inclusionOld Silkstone Band.

Special

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The concert was a very special as it was open to anyone to come along — it was all about inclusion.

We also invited service users from the care homes around Barnsley and this made for a wonderful atmosphere as it was fantastic to see people get up and dance and sing along."