Forest of Dean Stone Firms is sponsoring its local Lydbrook Band, and it marked the agreement by welcoming the band to its Barnhill Quarry for a Forest Pennant rock concert (see the video below).

Kitted out in hard hats, hi-vis vests and wellies, all 27 members of the band took to the quarry bench to play the title music of The Flintstones, a suitable request from Nick Horton, the Managing Director of Forest of Dean Stone Firms. As the sun set on a scorching Wednesday evening in the Forest of Dean at the end of May, the band completed the set with Elgar’s Pomp & Circumstance March No 1 (Land of Hope & Glory).

Nick Horton said: “We’ve had lots of fun organising this. With such a unique alliance, we wanted to do something extraordinary to mark our association. A performance in our quarry seemed like the ideal way to marry the two together – natural stone with music. Fortunately, all the band members were game. We thought the acoustics would be impressive but everyone was stunned by the sound – so much so, they want to come back to put on a full performance. Watch this space for Proms in the Quarry!"

Robert Morgan, the Lydbrook Band secretary, added: "To perform in the quarry was an extraordinary experience. The natural acoustics were incredible and the recording sounds as good as any concert hall or studio."

FoD's stoneworks were established in 1902 and the band was formed in 1923, giving the two a shared heritage. Nick says they also have shared values of quality and professionalism that make for an exciting and beneficial partnership. "We’re looking forward to watching the band perform but nothing will beat the Barnhill Quarry sessions."

Robert Morgan: “We are extremely grateful to Forest of Dean Stone Firms for their generous support. We have been well supported by local businesses over the past 94 years but this is the first time that we have had major sponsorship for an extended period. This partnership will allow us to purchase new instruments for our thriving training band as well as refurbish a couple of our top of the range Besson tubas."