THE Amersham Band is holding a poignant summer concert in memory of its founder Jean Archer and other late former members.

Former bandmaster Ralph Mulryne, band sergeant Bill Lovell and main band cornet and bass player Ian Nicol, who all died in the last year, are being celebrated by their fellow band members in a concert at Amersham Free Church this month.

Band chairman Fred Harrison said: "All of our members were keen to do something special in memory of their friends who contributed so much towards the band.

"We have chosen some of their favourite pieces and tried to incorporate their particular instruments too."

Mr Mulryne was a father of four who played a variety of instruments during his 20-year band membership.

He will be remembered for his love of the euphonium and one of his proudest band moments when he took them to perform in London's Royal Albert Hall.

Mr Mulryne died of cancer in November.

Mr Lovell, who died in April, was a veteran band member who entertained audiences with his trombone for more than 20 years. He also performed in the Tea for Six jazz group which regularly played at the Red Lion Pub in Little Missenden.

Mr Nicol joined the band as a cornet player in spring 2003, before moving on to play the cornet and bass in the main band. He died last spring.

Former Amersham mayor and local historian Jean Archer died last spring. She founded The Amersham Band when it reformed in 1977.

Since then the band has regularly entertained crowds in Amersham's memorial gardens and performed at town events, including the annual Heritage Open Day in September.

The memorial concert takes place from 7.30pm on Saturday June 4, at Amersham Free Church, Woodside Road, Amersham.

Admission is free and donations will go towards the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home charity and the NSPCC.