Give brass a go say West Berkshire cornet-playing mum and 10-year-old son

EAST Woodhay Silver Band will be playing a selection of their favourite carols and Christmas music on Saturday afternoon (3pm) at East Woodhay Village Hall.

“The main band ages range from 20-70, with around 20 members and the training band has eight people with three helpers to keep us on the right track,” says Leisa whose young cornet-playing son Frank is one of the enthusiastic ‘bandsmen’.

And she too has become a new recruit.

“His teacher asked if I could try too so I’ve taken up the cornet and love it!

“There is another mum that has joined too and she plays the tenor horn.

“Frank has been in the training band for around 18 months and he roped me in, so I have been learning the cornet along with him.”

Frank is 10 years old and just passed his Grade 1 exam with distinction.

“He loves being part of the band, and correcting my mistakes, and he loves playing the long note competition – he has a lot of puff for a little guy.”

EWSB concerts, are mainly attended by friends and family but they are looking to invite new people to come and hear them and to join both main and the training band. All are welcome.

Tickets to Saturday’s concert are £10 for adults and free for children.

“We will hold our raffle during the interval, and that is also when the training band play their set - about five songs with corny jokes from the bandmaster.

Local businesses have been approached to donate prizes in order to raise funds to keep going.

“ It would be awful for us all not to have the band in our lives,” added Leisa.