The alphorn players from Lancashire, practising high above Grindelwald

Yes, the English can play alphorns, too

A chance encounter with an alphorn at Wengen in 1987 was a magical moment for professional French horn players Helen and Neil Grundy.

They fell in love with the instrument, bought a wooden mouthpiece as a souvenir and five years later met alphorn maker Willi Michel of Lauterbrunnen – and were hooked.

They borrowed alphorns, took them into the street to practise, and were immediately invited to take part in a local folklore evening.

But it was another ten years before they realised their dream of having thier own alphorns.

They took them with them on a holiday in Grindelwald, and within hours they were on top of the Männlichen mountain ridge joining 100 alphorn players at the annual Grosses Alphorntreffen.

Since then they have been back many times, to play at street festivals and in mountain restaurants... and to make the most of every opportunity to practice their new found skills kn many parts of the magnificent Bernese Oberland.

Back home they lead a busy professional life. Neil is associate principal horn with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, while Helen is in great demand to play with major orchestras.

But they cannot resist invitations to demonstrate their alphorns to English audiences.

Last year they were soloists with the university wind orchestra in Sheffield Cathedral. They have played in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, Exter Cathedral, at events in Plymouth, Bolton and Macclesfield, and were the star attraction at Manchetser Swiss Club’s First of August celebration.