Following her departure from Brighouse and Rastrick, star flugel player Lucy Cutt returns to Fairey Band conducted by her husband Garry Cutt, in a straight swap with Mike Eccles. Lucy’s first outing with the band was at the RNCM Brass Band Festival last month.

Fairey also announces the signings of David Gillson, who returns to the repiano seat after several months away playing flugel and Lottie Groves, previously with Rothwell Temperance, who fills the vacant 'fourth man' chair on the solo cornet bench. The vastly experienced BBb bass player, Andrew Warriner, completes the bass section.

Staying in the northwest, Foden's has signed Melanie Whyle as its new flugel player and the experienced Leon Renilson joins on repiano cornet, as reported here at BBW online last month.

Back over the boarder in Yorkshire, Hammonds Saltaire has appointed Philip Varley as its new Principal Cornet, who will make his debut in the role at the forthcoming Championship Section Yorkshire ‘Area’ contest. The band has also signed James Beecham from Hade Edge Band to join Philip Varley on soprano.

The talented teenager, Charlotte Horsfield, has moved up to cover the solo trombone seat as Jo Reasbeck takes a short break following the birth of her first child, whilst Daniel McLaughlin, from Carlton Main, joins on second trombone. Graeme Law also comes in from Carlton Main on percussion.

New signings have not just been the domain of northern bands; fresh from its hat trick win at the Butlin’s Mineworkers Championship, Flowers has moved on two major signings: Chris Turner, the former Brighouse, Black Dyke and Cory cornet player joins on 'bumper-up' and former Flowers player, Danny Winder returns to the band on flugel following his departure from Tredegar.

Also in the West of England, Camborne Town Band has appointed Solo Cornet, Lee Wylde, as Principal Cornet to replace Demelza Sturges, who has taken maternity leave.