WHAT a happy looking set of chaps!

These six musicians made up the Aeolians Dance orchestra.

They looked as though they had plenty of musical ability judging by the number of instruments on show. We can see the drums, a trumpet, a violin, a banjo, two saxophones and a guitar,

But who are the debonair young men in the dinner suits and Dickie bows?

We know the trumpet player on the right is Wilfrid Johnson, although we have no idea how old he was when this photograph was taken.

And where was the setting?

One person who is keen to find out more about the photograph is Wilfrid’s granddaughter Angela Abrahamsen.

Angela, aged 49, from Ramsbottom, got the picture from her aunt who has since died, and has always wondered about the men. She says her grandfather married in 1921 and had two daughters, Angela’s mum, Barbara and her sister Marion.

Before that he joined the Army through a band regiment and served in the First World War. He died when Barbara was a teenager so sadly Angela never met him.

She also knows that he had a haulage and contract business in Bolton called W Johnson which is still going today.

She said: “He had it put in his will that the name should be carried on. So that is his legacy. We still have a photograph of him standing next to his van.”

Angela, who works at Bolton Library, is also musical. She plays the clarinet with Bolton Chamber Orchestra and also enjoys the piano.

She added: “I know that Wilfrid also had a brother who played a musical instrument but I don’t know if he is on the picture.

“I would love to know of anyone who may have connections with the band members in the photo and if they have any stories to tell.”

She is also interested to find out where the picture was taken.

She thinks it probably dates to the 1920s — which would fit in with other Aeolian musicians who were around in America at that time.

And she also has an idea that it may have been taken at Bolton’s Palais De Danse which was a hot spot for couples going for a night out. The building is now being demolished.

Angela added: “It does have a look of being a professional photograph, the way they are all posed.”

If you know anything about the Aeolians, please contact Lynn Ashwell at The Bolton News, on 01204 537277, or email lynn.ashwell@nqnw,co.uk and we will pass on any information to Angela.

For anyone wondering what Aeolian refers to, it is all things related to Aeolus, the Greek god of wind.