MALMESBURY Concert Band has announced its new percussionist, Alton the Bear. 

Alton, aged six, the band’s mascot, was drafted in for the performance on Saturday after the band failed to find a new percussionist.

He was won by one of the members of the band, Ben Randall-Sly on a day out at Alton Towers, where he adopted the name Alton. 

Alton performed well on his debut on Saturday at the Market Cross in Malmesbury, but like all bears, he’s a bit lazy and keeps wanting a rest.

As Alton loves Honey, the band is now trying to find some numbers with ‘honey’ in the title, with Honeysuckle Rose by the late, great Fats Waller, a possible song. 

Already a popular member of the band, Alton will continue to travel with the band, and can be expected to be part of future performances, with the next being at Oaksey Village Fete on Saturday, June 30. 

A spokesman for the band said: “The Malmesbury Concert Band has a new percussionist. He is a bear named Alton, and he is doing his best.  Unfortunately, that is not very good, and being just a stuffed bear he really can’t play at all. He’s highlighting the fact that the band would really like someone to be their drummer and or percussionist.”

Director of music Tony Fleming added: “We badly need a new percussionist for our summer programme this year and our 160th anniversary in 2019.

"We would warmly welcome any applicants.

“Ideally, we would prefer someone who can read music, but we are flexible.”

Typically the band’s summer programme is electric but they now have new numbers that include a recently discovered Sousa march, a Frank Sinatra selection, some blues and classical music as well as the well-known Pink Panther.

If you or someone you know are interested in joining the band, contact David Hide on 01666 824148 or davidhide@hotmail.co.uk