BAND members are polishing their piccolos and tuning up their trumpets as they prepare to make history.

Musicians in the Darwen District Scout and Guide Band will be travelling to Cheshire on Saturday (July 12) for their first competition.

They will be playing alongside other musical talent in the Manchester Counties Scout Band Competition in Sale - a dream come true for the youngsters.

The band reformed in 1991 after 20 years of silence and they have gradually raised enough cash to update their instruments.

Hours of practice have helped them broaden their repertoire and, as a result of determination and hard work, the youngsters are better than ever.

Bandmaster David Walsh said: "We are very excited indeed about going to this competition.

"Over the past few years a lot of local people have supported us in our quest to reach competition status and on Saturday all the band members will be on their top metal and will not let Darwen down.

"Competing in our first competition is a dream come true and I just hope and trust that the dream never ends. We will do our best."

Previous news story

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.