Shropshire Star

Bands strike the right note for concert in memory of talented Shropshire musician and his mother

A full house of 300 people attended a concert to celebrate the life of a talented musician and his mother who died in a house fire 12 months ago.

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Porthywaen Silver Band at the concert at the Holroyd Centre

Alan Metcalfe, 54 was a musician firstly with the Wem Jubilee Band and later Porthywaen Silver Band.

He and his mother, Eileen, 92, died in a blaze at their home in Glentworth Avenue, Morda near Oswestry in December 2022.

Alan Metcalfe, centre, when he received an award for his voluntary work

The Celebration of Brass concert was held at the Holroyd Centre at Weston Rhyn over the weekend.

As well as the two bands Alan had been a member of, there were performances from some of those who took part in the Oswestry Youth Music Festival.

Porthywaen Silver Band at the concert at the Holroyd Centre

In the audience was David Preston, a friend of Alan and Eileen.

He said: "For the audience, it was a privilege to be part of the most amazing evening that commemorated and celebrated in the most appropriate manner the lives of two very special people in both the brass world and their local community - an evening that will long be remembered.

"Thank you to everyone who made this such a poignant but enjoyable evening. The message from both bands was simply 'You’ll Never Walk Alone'.

"Everyone enjoyed the evening and remembered two very special and loved friends who have left behind a shared legacy in Porthywaen Silver Band and Wem Jubilee Band of service, commitment and smiles."