Towcester Studio Band will be performing a brand new composition this weekend to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the town.

In 917 AD King Edward the Elder (son of Alfred the Great) fortified the abandoned Roman town of Lactodorum to create a new Anglo-Saxon fortress. He named this settlement Tofeceastre meaning 'Castled City' on the river Tove.

In the same year an army of Danish Vikings attacked the town, although the Saxons successfully defeated them.

Anniversary battle

Musical Director Neil Brownless decided to call on the compositional skills of Jonathan Bates to help the band mark the anniversary of this battle and the start of the town.

The result is 'Towcester 917' which will take listeners back in time to 917 to experience the battle in music. The commissioning of the work has been supported by South Northamptonshire Council and Persimmon Homes.

Neil told 4BR: "It's been a fantastic opportunity for the band to work on a brand new composition with the composer, and the premiere will round off a year of celebrations for the local community.

We have even invited a guest from the Danish Embassy to come to the concert — although hopefully they will decide against a second invasion attempt."

We have even invited a guest from the Danish Embassy to come to the concert — although hopefully they will decide against a second invasion attemptNeil Brownless

Workshop

Following the concert at St Lawrence Church on Saturday evening Jonathan will return to Towcester to work with local young musicians in some composing workshops.