Skelmanthorpe Band has acted to plug a potential emergency National Finals contesting gap due to the imminent arrival of a new baby, with the signing of former Flowers principal cornet Andrew Smith.

Paternity cover

The band's principal and second cornet couple, James and Elly Roberts, are expecting their baby on the Cheltenham weekend, so Andrew has generously offered to act as paternity cover just in case James has to dash off for an early hospital draw! Meanwhile, Ronan O'Neill is playing instead of Elly.

Juggle things

MD Martin Heartfield told 4BR: "It's great that Andy has offered to help. We've had to juggle things around a bit to cover eventualities, but the Cheltenham preparations are going very well.

We'd also like to thank new member Murray Preston who has been flexible to fit in with these plans as part of the cornet team."

It's great that Andy has offered to help. We've had to juggle things around a bit to cover eventualities, but the Cheltenham preparations are going very wellMD. Martin Heartfield

Delighted

In response Andrew added: "I'm delighted to have been asked to help and have been enjoying working with such friendly musicians and Martin once more.

I'm looking forward to performing at Cheltenham and to finding out two different sets of results."