HARD hats, hi-vis vests and wellies are hardly usual attire for a brass band – but that’s how this one appeared at a unique concert in a quarry.

Lydbrook Band even played the title music from The Flintstones Stone Age cartoon, as part of a show to celebrate sponsorship from quarry owners Forest of Dean Stone Firms.

As the sun set on a scorching Wednesday (May 31) evening at Barnhill Quarry in Broadwell, the 27-strong band completed the set with Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (Land of Hope and Glory).

Forest of Dean Stone Firms’ managing director Nick Horton made a special request for The Flintstones soundtrack and 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’.

“Our stoneworks were established in 1902 and the band formed in 1923 - this shared heritage, along with our common values of quality and professionalism, make for an exciting and beneficial partnership.

“We’re looking forward to watching the band perform, but nothing will beat the Barnhill Quarry sessions.”

Lydbrook Band secretary Robert Morgan added: “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.

“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.”