A SILVER band taking part in tonight's charity concert for Phoenix House is keeping it in the family as two sets of three generations continue to play for the historic group.

Muker Silver Band will join Reeth Brass Band, the Catterick military WAGS choir and Richmond School children tonight (March 15) in fundraising concert Harmonies For Heroes.

Established to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, Muker Subscription Brass Band - its original title – made its first public appearance on jubilee day, June 22, 1897.

At that time virtually every village in Swaledale had a band, but today, only Muker and Reeth Bands survive to keep the tradition, which began in the lead-mining days, alive in the dale.

Norman, Morris and Ron Guy joined the band in the 1950s when they were boys and have remained with it ever since, with Norman’s son Allan joining when he was old enough.

Allan Guy later introduced his wife Kirsty to the band and said their children Philip and Jasmine were brought up around band practice and are now keen musicians too.

Mr Guy said: “In the early 1950s both my dad's brothers were playing in the band while he was away at school in Richmond as a boarder.

“So, not wanting to be left out, when he was at home for school holidays he joined the band as well.

“My great-grandfather was also on the committee that founded the original band and raised the money to start it.”

Tickets for the concert and CD launch at Richmond School at 7.30pm tonight cost £12 for adults and £5 for children on the door.