It’s time to blow the trumpet for Skipton’s newest brass band.

Gateway Brass was formed in June and is the development band of Skipton Brass.

It is based at Aireville School and rehearses every Monday between 6pm and 7pm under the guidance of its conductor and tutor, Wilbur Paley.

“Our aim is to create a fun and exciting environment for people to learn a new skill, become a member of a friendly local organisation and in turn help to keep the great tradition of brass banding alive in Skipton and Craven district,” said Skipton Brass bandmaster Ed Brown.

With the help of Skipton Building Society’s Big 160 Grassroots Giving Scheme, Gateway Brass has purchased a number of student cornets, with more instruments in the pipeline.

“As the group grows we aim to acquire horns, baritones and larger instruments to add depth to the sound being produced,” said Ed.

Group members enjoy a complete learning experience, which includes practical instruction and tuition in the rudiments of music theory.

Members are coached with a view to them eventually joining the senior band.

Ed added: “We have already started getting the members of Gateway Brass joining in with some of the Skipton Brass rehearsals to find out what it is like to be in a full band.

“As the group becomes more established, it will be encouraged to give public performances, initially accompanying Skipton Brass, but eventually on its own, contributing to the holistic approach to building an individual’s musical skills.”

Membership is open to people of all ages who are interested in learning to play a brass instrument and running costs are met from subscriptions, which are kept deliberately low.

For more information, visit skiptonbrass.org.uk, email skiptonbrass@ hotmail.com or call 07969 999522.