A SCOUT band is heading down to Windsor Castle to play for royalty – thanks to a little help from a Ramsbottom mill.

The 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band has been selected from scout bands throughout the country to perform at this year’s 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: “Being invited to play at this important event at Windsor Castle is a tremendous honour for us and we’re all really excited. The parade will be reviewed by a member of the royal family.

“Young people from the band are busy fundraising to pay for their accommodation – so not having to worry about the costs of coach travel as well is a great relief.”

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 will be performing with the Band of the Scots Guards.

John Kirwin, site manager of the SCA Stubbins mill, said the mill had been pleased to help. He said: “The whole community is proud of the scout band and what they’ve achieved.

“And, of course, the mill is particularly proud of Alfie. He’s a valuable member of our team of apprentices here and we wish him and his fellow band members every success.”

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 has also been booked to perform the night before at a concert at the Garrison Church in Windsor.