4BR has been informed that after two years as MD with Arklow Silver, James MacCafferty has taken the difficult decision to call it a day.

Workload

It is understood that with a young family and an increased work schedule the decision was inevitable.

James thanked the hard working band for all their efforts over two marvelous years — especially the Junior Band and their dedicated teachers Slawek Bosy, Orla Lyons and David Lee.

It is understood that with a young family and an increased work schedule the decision was inevitable4BR

Highlights

Five trophies, one CD, a TV appearance and about 50 concerts later James told 4BR the highlight of his busy time with Arklow was hearing the band's euphonium player, Jimmy Connolly, playing Paul Lovatt-Cooper's "Neath the Dublin Skies" from memory at the Arklow Musical Festival.

"It surprises me that Jimmy hasn't been approached by a top band across the Irish channel as he would not look out of place beside Glyn Williams, Dave Childs or Dave Thornton," he told 4BR.

James also thanked the large list of conductors who helped make his time at Arklow easier, especially Mike Hannan, Terry Doherty, Brendan Breslin, Paul Barrett, John Bonner and Dick Lyons.