THEY dressed in pink boas and brought music to the streets.

And there was an appreciative crowd for the women from the top northern brass bands who entertained crowds in Huddersfield.

The musicians delivered a free half hour concert in St George’s Square to raise awareness of International Women’s Day.

The group, made up of band members from Slaithwaite, Lindley, Marsden, Cheshire and Bolton, braved the rain to encourage other brass musicians to get together and blow the trumpet for Oxfam’s latest campaign.

International Women’s Day is due to take place on March 8 and according to Hannah Alcock, one of the event organisers, the concert was just a taster of what people can do on the day to raise support for women in poor countries.

She said: “This performance was to help launch Oxfam’s Let’s Get Together on International Women’s Day campaign.

“On March 8, women across the country will be holding fun events with their friends and raising money for women all over the world.

“Some women have got in touch and they will be holding coffee mornings, cocktail parties, all to raise money to support women living in some of the poorest countries worldwide.

“The band has drawn attention to the upcoming day and we hope others will follow their lead.

Band leader and conductor at Slaithwaite Brass Band Tabby Clegg said: “Music is a very powerful way of communicating and changing the world.

“When I heard of the campaign, I thought that women who play brass band instruments would love to support it.

“We got together some female musicians from Slaithwaite, Marsden and Lindley as well as others from Bolton and Cheshire.

“We played a host of band favourites, the ones that everybody enjoys.

“We hope to continue fundraising and will at our practices – we may ask members to bring along £1 or do another event on the day.”

Tabby also runs a company that last year supplied brass musicians to perform at Rugby League’s Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, Gillette Four Nations Championships matches, York Racecourse and Ascot.

Oxfam are appealing to any women and men to celebrate International Women’s Day with a “Get Together”.

Money raised will go to support mothers in poor countries trying to get out of poverty by setting up a cooperative, or their own business.

It is believed that 70% of people living in poverty are women and girls.

Fundraising Manager for the North of England Heather Walkington said: “It is amazing to see what a group of women can achieve when they get together.

“From a donation during a rehearsal, to a brass band mini concert – you can shape your Get Together event in any way you want and help other women around the world”.

To get involved visit: www.oxfam.org.uk/womensday