THERE are times in lives of old cynics when something happens which persuades us to accept that maybe there is still hope for the human race and society hasn't gone as far into the dumper as we feared.

One such event came on Wednesday when I accepted an invitation to present the trophies at Bolton music Service Brass Bands awards evening in the Festival Hall of the Bolton Albert Halls.

I am passionate about music, particularly jazz and swing, but those preferences don't preclude me from appreciating other types and the talent required to perform them.

For example, I have always found brass band music exhilerating and am proud that as a lad I was a member of Farnworth and Kearsley Silver Prize Band under the leadership of Frank Wallwork.

In those far off days, I marched round the streets, humping a kettle drum, at the head of processions of witness from local churches. I know something about brass band music so the invitation promised an extra special night.

And it was. The hall, packed with proud, adoring parents and grandparents, rang to the inspirational sounds of music played by enthusiastic youngsters, many hardly big enough to carry their instruments. Wonderful stuff.

Presenting the trophies, I mentioned the dedication and expertise of the tutors at The Bolton Music Service.

I know the extent of their involvement and the long hours they happily and selflessly devote to their charges. The Music Service now has a whole range of exceptional musical ensembles.

I got to thinking about Popstars The Rivals and Fame Academy, two national TV programmes which made use of thousands of showbiz wannabees.

I very much doubt that the reasoning behind these and similar shows is primarily the musical careers of the young people involved, some of whom almost drown in their own tears when rejected. It is profit.

The endless slots on prime time TV; the spin-offs in CDs and publicity photos; the forthcoming nationwide tours, are all geared to make Pete Waterman and his collaborators even more millions.

Good luck to them. If the public accepts Popstars and Fame Academy as entertainment, who am I to protest? Personally I think they resemble the Coliseum in Roman times.

Dedicated they may be, but the Music Service staff will never be in the Waterman income bracket. The massed ranks of young musicians will never be pop stars, not unless Mr Waterman can make a hit of 'The Clog Dance' played by a brass band. He probably can. Terry Wogan and Brighouse and Rastrick did it with 'The Floral Dance'. Keep practising boys and girls. See, there IS still hope for the human race.