A SCOUT band from Rossendale launching a new compact disc was delighted to discover it had been awarded a grant from the National Lottery.

The surprise announcement was made to 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band by David Edmondson, a parent of two young members during the annual patrons' concert at Bacup Leisure Hall to celebrate the band's release of the CD 'Rossendale Story.'

And, after he got over the shock, musical director Keith Farrington said: "There's a great brass band tradition in Rossendale and we're trying to keep it alive, This award will certainly help us in that."

The grant of £41,628 has been awarded to the band to buy new instruments. The existing ones will be passed on to the junior band.

2nd Rossendale has male and female members aged ufrom 10 upwards and a few older members, including a night club bouncer and newsagent.

Rossendale Story was researched by composer Rodney Newton along with Mr Farrington and its four movements are Ross Mill, Folly Clough, Lolly Penny and Irwell Springs, highlighting the four key aspects of the Valley's tradition.

Rodney said: "The four salient features of Rossendale which I have picked out are the cotton trade, on which it was built, its natural beauty, local characters - and there's still plenty of them about, some of them in this band - and brass bands.

"I've included all four, drawing on Rossendale at the turn of the century. There's a piece about Ross Mill, one of the largest and longest serving mills in the Valley and an affectionate portrait of Lolly Penny, a local rather eccentric character.

"There's a piece inspired by the beauty of Folly Clough, which is said to be the haunt of the woodsprite Jenny Greenteeth and a piece depicting the triumphant homecoming of the Irwell Springs band after their 1905 victory at the National Open competition at Crystal Palace, where they'd been feted as the country's best brass band."

Rodney's work formed part of the lottery bid to the arts council.

Copies of the CD, priced £9.99, or tape, £6.99, are available from Michael Warwick on 01706 877913 or Graham Helm on 01706 875819.

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