Besses o' th' Barn Band has announced a special guest conductor for their Christmas engagements – Dr Roy Newsome.

Dr Newsome, who conducted the band during their succesful period in the late 1970s and early 1980s, will be fronting the band over the festive period as the band recruits new players and plans to announce their new permanent MD.

This is one more step along the road to recovery for one of the oldest and most famous names in bandingMatt Bailey

Open win

Besses and Dr Newsome have a longstanding relationship which included including the famous British Open success of 1982 and it is hoped that his return, even for the short term, will ignite further interest and success for the band.

Fun

Band chairman Matt Bailey told 4BR: "This is a great chance to work with Dr Newsome and have some festive fun at the same time. This is one more step along the road to recovery for one of the oldest and most famous names in banding, and with hard work, dedication and teamwork, we’ll make these concerts something to look back on with pride."