The Bondleigh Barn Band will play a concert in Okehampton tomorrow (November 19) to help the Okehampton Choral Society.

The band was formed in January 2013 when six local musicians gathered in a barn in Bondleigh thanks to a local farmer. They met following an advertisement in a magazine by three violinists who wanted to play with other instrumentalists in an effort to broaden their repertoire. They were also hoping to find a musical director to ’bully them into shape’.

Since its unusual beginnings, the band has grown to over 40 members and raised several thousands of pounds for local charities and good causes. Earlier this year it appeared at South Zeal to help raise funds for the Dartmoor Folk Festival. Now the band comes to Okehampton this Saturday (November 19) to help the Okehampton Choral Society.

The band’s programmes feature music from across four centuries and in a variety of styles. Members encourage audiences to participate and want the fun they have from playing together to reach out and engage its hearers.

Musical director Richard Edwards hopes local folk in Okehampton will come along in a light-hearted frame of mind, ready to enjoy themselves as they support a local band raising funds for another local group of music makers.

He said: ’How often does Okehampton have the chance to hear violins, violas, cellos, doubles bass, flutes, oboes, clarinets, alto and tenor saxophones, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, guitar, banjo, concertinas and keyboards playing live together? Come along and join the fun!’

Admission will be free with a retiring collection. The concert takes place at Fairplace Church at 7.30pm.