A TOWN band has a new face to put it back on the musical circuit and continue with concerts over the coming year.

Spennymoor Town Band's new musical director, John Bell, has finally been appointed.

The band suffered difficulties last year when it was forced to pull out of a Christmas concert after the director resigned.

Mr Bell is a member of Chester-le-Street's Riverside Brass Band, that recently qualified to play at the Royal Albert Hall in October.

Spennymoor band members were shocked at Christmas when, after 25 years of performing in the town hall's Christmas concert, they had to pull out because key members of the team resigned.

The band knows it has a challenging year ahead. Its first Spennymoor concert is planned for Saturday, June 18.

They will also be hosting a concert for the town Mayor's charity, accompanied by Foden's (Richardson) Band, on Saturday, April 2.

Tickets are £6 and are available from Spennymoor Town Hall or by sending your cheque and a stamped addressed envelope to Mr H Stephenson, 9 Buttermere, Spennymoor, County Durham.

Published: 14/03/2005