A Keighley musician has been helping Prince Charles celebrate his 50th birthday.

John Powell, a member of the euphonium quartet Tubalate, played at the Prince's birthday bash at Buckingham Palace. "We had been playing at the Purcell Rooms on London's South Bank when we were approached by a man who was organising the entertainment for the party," says John. "It was a wonderful experience."

He says that the Prince came and shook hands and chatted to the quartet after the performance. "I was a member of the Prince's Youth Trust which is how I started out as a professional musician," says John.

Comic Spike Milligan also took an interest in the band. "He is a trumpet player and it was nice for him to come and talk to us," John adds. "He also did an impromptu performance on the piano."

John, a former South Craven School pupil, attended the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. He has performed with most of the major brass bands in Britain. He has made a number of recordings and has won prizes as a member of brass quartets.

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