WHAT wears a multi-coloured suit, plays the Jackson Five and entertains thousands?

Tricky one?

I couldn’t have given you the answer before this weekend – but now I can.

The correct response to my poser is Hade Edge Band who were just one of 26 troupes who made my weekend with their performances at the Brighouse Lions Club’s Brass Band competition.

I always liked brass music, no matter if it was the tum-ti-tum sort or the pom-pom-pom-diiiii-pom sort. Stirring stuff both.

But the event in Brighouse was fantastic.

The event started at 1pm but by about 11.30am there was a sea of seats lining the street. There were picnics a plenty and the brassettes (as I now call the fans) were busy tucking into pork pies, sandwiches and the odd pint of beer despite the overcast conditions which threatened rain until about 4.30pm before bursting into bright sunshine.

There was just something that made me so proud to be from Yorkshire.

I don’t know if it was the fantastic music.

I’m not sure if it was the wonderful way the bands strolled down the street displaying their tonal talent.

It could have been the amazing atmosphere as strangers chatted to each other as though they were old friends.

There’s the possibility that it may have been the whiff of fish and chips and beer as people stood in the street enjoying themselves in a cafe culture which relied more on salt and vinegar than latte and mocha.

Maybe it was the sun coming out and seeing White Rose folk take off their jackets despite it still being nearer chilly than tropical.

Or could it have been the money raised for charity?

I think it was probably all of them!

Next year’s competition takes place on Sunday, June 30.

I’m going down this Saturday to put my chair down and start planning my picnic – and I suggest you do the same.