Kearsley Youth Brass will perhaps be the most viewed brass band on television this Christmas thanks to their involvement in Marks & Spencer's 'Home & Clothing' festive advertising.
In partnership with the Neighbourly platform which helps national businesses connect to make positive impact in their local communities, the band linked up Marks & Spencer so that Christmas shopping benefits good causes in the UK.
Under wraps
It came after Band Secretary Rhiannon Harrison saw a call asking organisations to tell Neighbourly about great local causes. Soon after a national casting company got in touch and Kearsley players were sworn to secrecy to ensure that the identity of the famous advert makers was kept under wraps.
With all the appropriate paper work undertaken youngsters Catherine Roe (baritone), Connie Roe-Morton (tuba), Nellie Roe-Morton (euphonium), Tilly Royse (horn), Mabel Roe-Palmer (cornet) and David Chew (cornet) travelled to London for what turned into an exciting, if somewhat soggy few days of filming.
Incredible
They worked alongside professional actors and with other representatives of charitable causes for the advert production, with Catherine Roe telling 4BR: "The community spirit of all involved made us feel incredibly connected and really encompassed the gift of giving."
The community spirit of all involved made us feel incredibly connected and really encompassed the gift of givingCatherine Roe
Glitz and glamour
Looking back on a brilliant experience, Kearsley's Rhiannon Harrison added: "It's been so hard to keep this under wraps, especially when we were invited down to London this week for the official premiere screening.
It was an evening full of glitz and glamour, and a true 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience, so thank you to Marks & Spencer for including our band representatives in this incredible venture."
The advert is now being rolled out across the nation, so keep your eyes peeled this festive period for a splash of the 'Kearsley purple' jackets and the players on television screens.
