Fairey (FP Music) Band

Prescot Parish Church
Thursday 23rd June

Over 200 people in Prescot Parish Church waved Union Jacks and joined in choruses of 'Rule Britannia' and 'Land of Hope and Glory' as they were treated to a Proms-style spectacular by the Fairey (FP Music) Brass Band last night.

The 68-year-old band, one of the most prestigious in the UK, delivered a toe-tapping programme of standards from George Gershwin and Irving Berlin before being joined by local soprano Laura Hudson for the rousing finale. There were also more traditional pieces, including the tune ‘Nicea', better known as the hymn ‘Holy, Holy, Holy', a moving performance dedicated to band member Barry Hinds, who recently passed away.

Bernard Logan's delightfully mellow baritone solo was warmly received, and the portly Prescotian even graced the audience with a few dance moves. Another highlight was Neil Hewson's solo of ‘Love's Old Sweet Song', in which he achieved a scintillating mandolin effect by playing into the bell of a bass tuba. Perhaps the most curious item on the programme was ‘Cubik', an example of the band's pioneering fusion of styles known as 'Acid Brass'.

Yesterday's concert opened the First Annual Prescot Festival, beginning a weekend of concerts that continues Friday night at the Parish Church with the Knowsley Orchestra and Prescot Parish Church Choir. Saturday night's event will be at the Methodist Church, with the Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir and Pilkington Choir, celebrating their fiftieth anniversary.

Dave Kernick

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