A SCOUT band performed in front of royalty at Windsor Castle thanks to a boost from a Ramsbottom mill.

The 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band was selected from scout bands across the country to perform at the St George’s Day Parade of Queens Scouts on April 24.

To get to Windsor, the band had to find a way to pay the travel costs for its 50 members – a problem solved by 17-year-old tuba player Alfie Ryder, who has been a band member for a decade.

Alfie is a second year mechanical apprentice at tissue maker SCA’s Stubbins paper mill, in Stubbins Street, Ramsbottom, and at his request the mill stepped in to meet the band’s £1,875 travel bill in full.

Graham Helm, the band’s musical director, said: “For a group of young people from Rossendale to be given the opportunity to perform alongside the band of the Scots Guards within the walls of Windsor castle, is a truly tremendous achievement.

"The young people performed to such a high standard and not only did they make their own memories, they also made lasting memories for everyone else on parade."

The band, which holds the distinction of being the only scout brass band in the world, is based within a scout group that has been operating in Bacup for more than 100 years.

Its players are aged from 11 years to early 20s and are in demand across the North West.

They have performed in recent times with the likes of the Black Dyke brass band and the Grimethorpe Colliery brass band. At Windsor, they performed with the Band of the Scots Guards.

The St George’s Day Parade of Queens Scouts dates back nearly 80 years and recognises the outstanding achievements of the holders of the highest youth award in scouting.

It is held annually within Windsor Castle by gift of Her Majesty the Queen and only one scout band is invited to perform.

As well as playing at the parade, the band performed the night before at a concert at the Garrison Church in Windsor.