Fodens have been very quick about finding a top class replacement for the loss of Robert Richardson, who left the band to become the new solo baritone at Black Dyke less than a month ago.

Helen Tyler, who for the last two and half years has been the fine second baritone at Black Dyke has decided to move in the opposite direction and take a bit of a promotion into the bargain by becoming the Sandbach band’s new solo baritone player.

Helen who is a third year student at the Royal Northern College of Music, is taught by Stephen Mead and will be joining the band straight away. She has long been regarded as one of the most talented young baritone players on the circuit and is seen as a top class replacement for Fodens, who are naturally delighted to have secured her services.

Meanwhile rumours of a new horn player at the National Champions has turned out to be just that, with the news of a European influx strongly denied as mere wrongful speculation by Dyke.

So no new horn then, but certainly a new baritone to find for Mr Childs.