THE story of the village music makers features in the next talk for the Askam and Ireleth Local History Group.

You can find out from Peter Burt about Askam Town Silver Band on Thursday, October 19.

The meeting is from 7.30pm, in the Duddon Road Methodist Church, Askam, and all are welcome.

Admission is £2 which includes refreshments.

The history group is hoping there will be some stories and photographs brought along on the evening to share.

To mark the event, the Memories Page has turned the clock back to February 4 in 1949 when The Mail carried an article to mark the band’s 60th anniversary.

It noted: “This year marks the diamond jubilee of Askam Town Band and it is quite probable that a certain family spirit has brought harmony to the band throughout its 60 years.

“Enthusiasm for playing in brass bands seems to run in families and this is certainly the case with regard to the Askam band.

“Stanley S. Cain, the present conductor, is the son of Andrew S. Cain, who was one of the leading lights in the formation of the band.

“Except for its first year of existence, the band has always been led by a Cain.

“The present band contains four Cain brothers, who are all nephews of the conductor, but the family spirit is not confined to the Cains.

“The Jones brothers, Robert, Thomas and William, bring their harmony to the team and two generations are represented by the Robert Latimers, senior and junior.

“Brass bandsmen start young and members of the Askam band are no exception, for the youngest player in the present band is 14-year-old Alan Benson, of Dalton Road, Askam, who plays a masterly third cornet.

“At the other end of the age scale is Francis Webster, of 7 James Stret, Askam, who, at 61, is the band’s oldest member.

“As well as belying his 61 years with a youthful enthusiasm for the B flat bass, Mr Webster is also band secretary and is only the third member to hold that position.

“The Band Hall, where the players practice, was built in 1927 by playing members and officials and when not in use by the bandsmen it is utilised for town functions.

“The band is now busy rehearsing for the Daily Herald North-Wester Area Brass Band Championships to be held in Wigan on February 26, in which it is competing for the first time.

“If atmosphere is anything to go by, the Askam bandsmen should derive some inspiration from the dances which have been in their ballroom, for their test piece is the Petite Suite de Ballet.

“Whether it is successful or not, the band will certainly so its very best, for many of its members will be anxious not to let the family down.”