Brassed Off instruments set to be donated to Kenya

Instruments used in a stage production of classic Yorkshire film Brassed Off are set to be donated to young musicians in Kenya and Cape Verde once the show closes.

The All Brass & Woodwind shop was approached by neighbours Leeds Playhouse to help source instruments appropriate to the mining village drama set in the early 1990s.

Dave Walker, the Leeds-based shop's owner and founder, said the instruments will be returned to his workshop after the production ends on Saturday before being donated overseas.

"It's incredibly rewarding to do this work," Walker said. "I also hope the success of this play will see more people show an interest in learning to play brass instruments."

Brassed Off tells the story of the Grimethorpe-inspired Grimley Colliery brass band as it struggles to survive against the backdrop of pit closures in South Yorkshire.

The 1996 Bafta-nominated film starred Ewan McGregor, Pete Postlethwaite and Tara Fitzgerald, with the stage version marking the film's 30th anniversary.

Walker said getting the detail right was important in bringing the stage production to life.

"The instruments needed to be of the time," he said.

"What I've done is provide items from that period - that detail matters, especially for audiences who know and love brass band music."

Walker's time is often spent restoring and repairing instruments donated to him by schools, the local community or councils, with the AB&W foundation organising for them to be shipped to charity schemes overseas.

"I don't like seeing them in skips or derelict, every appliance is an opportunity for someone to play," he said.

"It's a privilege to be able to do this work and help young musicians who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to play such instruments."

The donated instruments then begin a new lease of life in music schools or community projects.

"Musical instruments can go out of fashion, but they don't wear out," he said.

Discussing a trip to Leeds Playhouse to watch his instruments in action, Walker said: "It was outstanding and so nice to see.

"There was a standing ovation and everyone who came out of the theatre was saying how fantastic it was."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.