Sweet music

NOT banned from the band . . . cornet player Laura Hirst, from Saddleworth, is the first ever woman to join Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band

Cornet player Laura is cool with being first girl in the band
NEARLY 20 years of practice has paid off for one brass champion from Saddleworth.

World-class cornet player Laura Hirst (27) from Uppermill, has become the first woman to gain a permanent place in the famous Brighouse and Rastrick band in the band;s 129-year history.

Brighouse and Rastrick is one of the last bands to admit women as permanent playing members.

Laura, who grew up at Wood Farm in Delph, started playing with Dobcross Youth Band at the age of eight. She studied at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester while climbing the ranks and joining first Dobcross Silver Band then Fairey Band.

But the latest call came as a shock, she says.

“I’ve always thought it would be great to be involved in the band, but never thought it would happen. I was really surprised when they asked. It’s an absolute honour.”

Laura, who works with her family at the Albion Farm shop in Delph, added: “I joined partly out of stubbornness – to show that women can do just as well. There are some cracking female players about.

“It will give the band a lot more choice, and it means we might get a female changing room too!”

Band president Paul Beaumont said: “Laura is an extremely talented cornet player and we are very pleased to welcome her to the band — which I must admit was previously seen as a boys-only club.

“Although Brighouse and Rastrick dates back to 1881 and has a long history of traditions, the band recognises the need to move with the times.”

The West Yorkshire outfit recently became British champions for the eighth time.