NEW brass instruments will sound the right note for Tavistock's Stannary Brass Band thanks to a grant award of £4,730.
The brass band was one of five groups in West Devon among the 147 community groups in the South West to have succeeded in the latest round of lottery Awards for All.
Stephen Gray, public relations officer and band member, said the award would benefit the whole band as the newer instruments would free up other instruments for beginners joining in for the first time.
'The award means we can encourage more young people to join and we can ensure there will be instruments for them to play,' he said.
He said a lottery award like this was particularly welcome because it allowed the band to keep a wide stock of instruments and to expand and take in more new members.
'We are very pleased all our work has been rewarded with a nice cheque,' added Mr Gray.
The Stannary Band now has more than 80 members split into four different sections; an absolute beginners' band, a training band, the main band and a youth band.
Mr Gray said the band operated a 'very strict open door policy' — which means anyone who is interested is welcome to come along and join in, whether they have musical experience or not.
l The other groups in West Devon which benefited from lottery cash were Horrabridge Rangers Football Association which received £4,886 to develop junior and ladies' soccer, and Princetown pre-school playgroup, £2,053 to purchase storage space for their play equipment.
Money has also been allocated to Broadwoodkelly Village Hall who received £1,000 to conduct a feasibility study into refurbishing the hall, and £5,000 for a youth project in Okehampton to build skateboard facilities.
Steve Barriball, senior awards officer said: 'Awards for All is about getting lottery funds to small, local groups in a quick and straightforward way and this latest round of awards demonstrates that.'
Mr Barriball added: 'Even though the size of the grants that we make is relatively small, they can have an enormous impact on local groups, making the difference between them thriving and folding'.
More information about applying for grants is available by telephoning 0845 600 2040 or you can visit http://www.awardsforall.org.uk">www.awardsforall.org.uk.