The Shepherd Group Band is certainly looking forward to performing at the North of England Area Championships this year after they recruited no less than six new cornet players.

A few months ago university commitments, relocation and retirements meant that the band had lost a major part of their cornet flock, but following their successful podium finish at the Bolsover Entertainment Contest they have returned to full strength in time for their assault on 'Land of the Long White Cloud' in Durham in March.

Signings

Andy Novell comes in on principal cornet from York Railway Institute Band and is joined by Andy Grace, Rob and Lynne Illsley, Peter Andrews and Julia Sanders.

The players have all found their feet during the festive period will make their debuts at the Area followed by the band's first appearance at the Spring Festival in Blackpool in May.

our new recruits take our cornet team to completely new levels and I can't wait to start work on the Area test piece with themMD, Richard Wilton

Thrilled

MD, Richard Wilton told 4BR: "I'm so thrilled at how well it's all come together. Back in August when we had players leaving I was pretty panicked! However, our new recruits take our cornet team to completely new levels and I can't wait to start work on the Area test piece with them."

He added: "Andy Novell has done a couple of concerts with us and brings such classy playing to the cornet section. I would also like to thank Simon Dawson, who has been filling in on principal cornet.

He has done a fantastic job and I honestly don't know how we would have coped without him. He's a top bandsman!"