The New Year will see a few changes at the Lindley Band.

Rob Westacott, who recently retired from top class playing with Brighouse & Rastrick, has accepted the role as Musical Director and will make his debut at the forthcoming Brass at the Guild contest in Preston on 28th January.

Impressed

A Band spokesman told 4BR: "Rob led us on a successful Christmas concert on just one rehearsal. We were very impressed with his conducting skills and work rate and immediately invited him to take on the band in the New Year."

Rob led us on a successful Christmas concert on just one rehearsal. We were very impressed with his conducting skills and work rate and immediately invited him to take on the band in the New YearLindley Band

New signings

Meanwhile, outgoing MD James McCabe is moving in the opposite direction, as he returns to Rothwell Temperance Band as principal cornet, whilst a number of new players have come in.

The highly experienced cornet player Alison Pickles moves to principal cornet, whilst the talented Harry Newton, a pupil at Chethams School of Music, has joined on solo euphonium. Haydn Osborne has been promoted to second cornet, and is joined in the band by 10 year old percussionist Lucas Williamson, who has progressed from Lindley's junior band, Tower Brass.