THE original marching drum belonging to Cawthorne Brass Band has been repaired by the BBC’s Repair Shop and will finally be heard again on the streets of Barnsley.
Purchased in 1873 when the band was first formed, it was manufactured by Higham and Co Strangeways Manchester and has been used in many village celebrations in the last 150 years, including the millennium drama ‘One Breath’.
However, when it was being tightened up for Remembrance Day some years ago it burst and has been in storage ever since.
The drum has played its part in the band and village life and is mentioned a number of times in the History of Cawthorne Village written by Barry Jackson.
The Repair Shop’s team collected the drum and took it to be repaired last year.
The repair will be shown on BBC One today at 4.30pm.
Elvin Athey, of Cawthorne Brass Band, told the Chronicle it’s a privilege to be able to play the drum.
“I’ve been playing in the band for 42-and-a-half years,” he said.
“I usually play the tenor horn but when we have a parade I use the marching drum.
“I’ve tried a few times to repair it myself but I could never do it.
“It wasn’t until last year when I was at a funeral that the idea of The Repair Shop came about.
“It just went from there.
“They've done a really good job.
“They wanted us to play it at the Penistone Show last year and now everyone is going to get to see it.
“Everyone in the village is buzzing about it.”
But it won’t be the first time Elvin has hit the TV screens.
“I was on TV last week as well,” he said.
“I was in hospital last year and they put that on Casualty 24/7.
“I might be a TV star now.”
Ron Carbutt was one of the key players in ensuring the drum would finally be played again.
He told the Chronicle: “I was intrigued when Elvin told me he had an ancient damaged drum in storage.
“He explained it was the first drum Cawthorne Brass Band bought when they were formed.
“I saw the drum and was impressed with the beautiful colours and Victorian craftsmanship but I could see it was in a sorry state needing expert attention.
“I took photos, got all the history and made a presentation to The Repair Shop.
“They took it up and the result will be seen today on BBC One at 4.30pm.”
Ron described the repair as a real ‘fairytale story’ - and it will now be played each year for the people of Cawthorne.
He added: “It is a real fairytale story, the drum was bought about 150 years ago, played at every major Cawthorne celebration, and then disappeared.
“It was found in a Barnsley attic and returned to the band when it was reformed.
“The drum was used until it was damaged and unplayable finally ending up around 1990 in a store room at Silkstone Chapel.
“Now restored, the drum will now be played and is back home in Cawthorne and as good as new.
“It will be played each year at our Remembrance Parade and will be a major attraction to view in our Victoria Jubilee Museum.”
