THE largest brass band ever to play at Great Yarmouth's Hippodrome will return on October 29. More than 70 musicians in the combined Norfolk and Anglia Fellowship Bands of the Salvation Army will once again fill the ring in a programme titled “The Best of Brass” with a Last Night of the Proms-style flag waving finale.

THE largest brass band ever to play at Great Yarmouth's Hippodrome will return on October 29. More than 70 musicians in the combined Norfolk and Anglia Fellowship Bands of the Salvation Army will once again fill the ring in a programme titled “The Best of Brass” with a Last Night of the Proms-style flag waving finale.

The first concert was a big hit at the venue last autumn.

Tony Mallion, who will compere as well as helping to arrange the event, said: “The audience reaction was tremendous and so many people have asked if we would stage another one this year.

“But it's not just the audience, the band are also very keen. They simply love the atmosphere and acoustics at the Hippodrome and wanted to come back.”

Tony revealed that, at one stage, there was a problem over the availability of the circus for the date they'd chosen. He added: “I suggested, and even made a provisional booking, for another venue in the area. But I almost had a mutiny on my hands. They were so adamant that it had to be the Hippodrome. In the end we moved the date.”

Fellowship bands have been established by the Salvation Army in recent years and give an opportunity for older and highly experienced players to take part. Both the Norfolk band and the Ipswich-based Anglia band have big followings for their regular concerts.

David Woodrow, who leads the Norfolk band and his opposite number Ray Todd, who leads the Anglia band, will share the conducting.

The programme will this year include a salute to some of the Walt Disney films as well as Elgar's Nimrod and the Colonel Bogey march in the Last Night section.

The solo singers will be Elayne Green, who will lead Rule Britannia, and Bram Bryant.

The special guest will be euphonium player Derick Kane, a member of the Salvation Army International staff band.

The profits will be split between the appeal and the Salvation Army's annual Christmas Toys and Tins charity.

Tickets are �7 for all seats and available now from the Hippodrome box office on 01493 844172 or online at www.hippodromecircus.co.uk