Musician hopes to bring brass band back to town

A trumpeter who played in one of her town's last brass bands as a child hopes a day celebrating the music will revive the tradition.

Helen Quayle was part of Barrow-in-Furness's Vickers Brass Band alongside her father Jack, and later became a professional musician.

The Cumbrian town has not had a brass band for more than a decade and Quayle hopes a day of live music as part of its annual festival will inspire the return of one.

"There's 100,000 people in Barrow, so it deserves to have a band again," Quayle said.

"We've got a great orchestral pathway, that's working great, but there isn't one for the brass bands and I think that's really important educationally because it really pushes brass players.

"It's a great way of learning."

Quayle said her life was "just music" from the age of eight.

She recalled travelling to Plymouth to play at big events and meeting the Queen while with the Vickers.

The band was formed in 1892 and played at ship launches and major events.

"I just remember being at primary school and my friends saying 'are you going to meet the Queen again' and I'd go 'yeah' and I'd take my little band jacket and run off," she said.

"I just thought that was normal, but it really wasn't."

The band recorded albums and toured extensively but folded in 2012.

Brass Day is being held on Saturday at the town hall as part of the annual Barrow Music Week.

The free event will bring together young musicians and bands from Furness and across Cumbria with a have-a-go area where families can try a brass instrument.

Visitors will also be to see archive footage collected by Quayle's father.

Quayle said brass music had a future in Barrow.

"It can be traditional or contemporary, and playing together gives young people musical skills and friendships that can last a lifetime," she said.

"I'd love this day to help a new generation discover brass music and, in time, see a brass band flourish in Barrow again.

"There's interest among young musicians, and this feels like a chance to build on the town's remarkable musical history."

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