THE City of Bradford Brass Band return to Ilkley on Friday July 7 for their annual Midsummer Brass Concert at Christchurch on The Grove.

Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club, who have brought the band to the town for a seventh successive year, are particularly excited about this year’s concert as it will be a “warm up” for the band as they prepare to compete for the very first time, for the title of National Brass Band Champions.

Over the last seven years, under the charismatic direction of Lee Skipsey, the band has risen through the ranks to the top of the banding world. At the Yorkshire Regional Championships in March, they took third place, competing against the banding elite and earning themselves a coveted spot at the National Brass Band Championships to be held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, this October.

“We have been charting their progress up the brass band league for seven years now and we are so proud of their success and looking forward more eagerly than ever to their Ilkley concert," said Rotarian Chris Jones. “They deserve our heartiest congratulations."

The concert, which starts at 7.30p.m, will raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK and End Polio Now. Tickets cost £10 (£6 for under 15s), including refreshments and a programme, and are available in advance from The Grove Bookshop (Music Dept) 10, The Grove, Ilkley or by email from cbjemails@gmail.com, 01943 817732 or on the door on the night.