The Haslingden & Helmshore Band is currently working hard to return to a full line-up of players as it looks with a positive attitude towards an exciting musical future.

The age old cyclical nature of banding has meant that in the last few months the north-west First Section band has lost a number of players, but with nearly 150 years of proud history behind them they know that contesting life comes with its ups and downs.

Resilient and optimistic

"All bands go through some lean times,"bass trombonist Phil Smith told 4BR, "but you don't survive for 150 years without being resilient and optimistic."

Fortunately, over the years the band has gained a well-respected reputation in the north-west, not only for its contest performances, but also for the way it has been run — and as Phil added, that is the foundation stone on which they now hope to rebuild.

"We came fifth at the Area Championship in March and we have some great projects and events already inked into the diary for the rest of the year and beyond.

Sometimes you lose players and sometimes you gain them, but the key is that we have such a solid set-up with a nucleus of committed players and supporters. That has kept us positive."

No bemoaning bad luck

What makes this a different story though is that there is no blame or the bemoaning of bad luck that can invariably arise when bands find themselves going through a period when retrenchment and dedication is just as important as test-piece inspiration and well-attended practices.

"No point in that,"Phil added with steely determination. "It's what you want to achieve next that's important — and we have so many people who want to succeed that the long term positives far outweigh the short term negatives."

It's what you want to achieve next that's important — and we have so many people who want to succeed that the long term positives far outweigh the short term negativesPhil Smith

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He added: "We have put an advert out on the 4BR Classified Section and we would welcome any player — especially those from the local area who would like to come along and help us out and perhaps consider a future playing with us. We are a friendly lot — but with determination to succeed that I believe few bands can match!"

With that positive attitude, you can't help think that this is one band that will soon be back to full strength….