TITANIC bandmaster Wallace Hartley, who famously conducted the band as the great liner sank, has been honoured in a new exhibition about his life in Colne Library.

Guests at the exhibition opening included Titanic enthusiast Jean Elizabeth Martin who travelled all the way from Texas to be there.

She wore a replica dress of the one Celine Dion wore to the Oscars, with the Heart of the Ocean necklace, and made a surprise donation for £100 to go towards the restoration of Wallace Hartley's memorial in Colne Cemetery.

Two of Mr Hartley's relatives, Mr Arnold Lindsey and Mrs Doris Stephens also attended the exhibition which features many previously unseen items and unpublished information.

Included is a violin made in his memory by Colne string maker Arthur Lancaster.

It is the only known surviving violin to include a porcelain imprint of the Titanic and it has never been displayed to the public before.

Librarian and organiser Darran Ward gave an introductory speech dressed in a musician's uniform complete with white stars on the lapels after the Titanic's White Star Line.

Geoff Whitfield, of the British Titanic Society, officially opened the exhibition.

Mayor of Pendle, Coun Edwina Sargeant, joined members of the Titanic Society and representatives of local music societies and musicians.

Pendle Cellists treated the guests to their version of Me and My God To Thee.

The exhibition, organised by John Westwell of the Pendle Heritage Centre, Colne librarians Darran Ward and Christine Bradley and local historian Jack Greenwood, runs until January.

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