Saturday night saw Rushen Silver Band fill the Erin Arts Centre with all the traditional ’Last Night of the Proms’ tunes.

Under the baton of John Kinley, the first half included a piece by their previous guest conductor Alan Fernie, a special rendition of ’Blue John’ by Manxman Peter Kneale and a selection of toe-tappers, with lovely individual brass solos from James Kinley, Joanna Kinley and Martin Norbury.

Annabel King, now a student at Chetham’s Music School in Manchester, gave a delightful piano rendition.

The second half welcomed audience participation, with clapping, waving of flags and all other ’Last Night’ customs encouraged.

It opened with the upbeat ’Radetsky March’, and Mandy Griffin performed a couple of well-known Ivor Novello songs accompanied on piano by Jill Collings, before returning in a most spectacular Union Jack frock for a rousing ’Rule Britannia’ with the band.

Sir Henry Wood’s ’Fantasia on British Sea Songs’ naturally created some merriment, and Elgar’s ’Land of Hope and Glory’ was belted out by the enthusiastic crowd.

The evening concluded with ’Jerusalem’ and The Royal and Manx National anthems.

This is Rushen Silver Band’s 70th anniversary and it’s celebratory events have been interesting and extensive.

It was pleasing to see it retained the support of the people, as it had a super atmosphere and was packed with talent.