A brass band is turning to Hollywood after seeing a significant drop in income due to the cost of living crisis.

A fall in donations and concert bookings throughout 2023, has significantly reduced Stacksteads Brass Band’s only source of income, and in the band’s fight for survival they will be holding a fundraising concert playing all the hits from the movies.

Formed in 1872, Stacksteads Brass Band has been rehearsing, performing and providing entertainment for the Rossendale community and beyond for more than 150 years.

However, the significant drop in bookings and concerts over the last 12 months, raises concerns for how much longer it will be able to survive.

The band has turned to the bright lights of Hollywood for help, with their A Night At The Movies concert, which will showcase well known movie scores and songs from films.

Joining the band will be the talented Valley Aloud Community Choir and the children’s theatre group ‘BYTES’.

Joe Healey, chair of Stacksteads Brass Band, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic and multiple lockdowns really hit the band hard and more recently, the cost of living crisis has continued to hamper the band’s ability to bring in much needed income.

“The band is totally self-funded and operates as a not-for-profit organisation, meaning concert work and donations allows the band to pay our ongoing costs which keep the lights on.

“This concert is super family friendly, it will include some well-known Disney songs and other blockbusters hits such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Shrek, to name but a few.

“Ticket sales will provide the band with much needed income to ensure it can not only continue to pay its ongoing commitments, but to also secure its future, ensuring it remains a part of the local community for many years to come”.

The band is also trying to fundraise to allow it to undertake more renovations to its bandroom on Newchurch Road, Stackstead, which was refurbished last year.

These additional renovations will ensure the building is updated, safe and future proofed for the next generation of brass musicians as the band looks to create a safe space to provide free lessons to young people in the community.

The fundraising concert will be held at Bacup Royal Court Theatre on Saturday, November 18, and tickets for A Night At The Movies, can be bought from the theatre website or from Wishes Galore in Rochdale Road, Bacup.

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for under 18s.