A MOTHER and daughter from Hatherleigh are setting the world of cornet playing alight after their recent competition success.
Fifteen-year-old Sophie Parsons and her partner Glen Philip fought off competition from all over the West of England and Wales to take the duet prize at Bideford Brass Band Contest last week.
In reply to her daughter's achievement Hazle Parsons was awarded the prestigious prize of being best soloist in her section at the Bugle Brass Band Festival.
With 26 years experience of cornet playing under her belt, Hazle is no stranger to being on the receiving end of awards and now it appears her daughter is following in her footsteps.
Sophie, who is working towards joining the Royal Marines as a musician, has recently returned from two weeks work experience with the Royal Marines Band at Portsmouth and Lympstone, culminating in a guest soloist appearance at a concert in Plymouth.
The pair both play for Torrington Band and love the challenge of competition but there is never any rivalry.
Hazle said she was delighted with her latest win as judges broke with tradition and awarded the solo prize to someone who was not in the winning band.
'Our band actually came fourth so to get best soloist prize was a real achievement for me,' said Hazle.
'I have had a bit of a break from competition for the last few years so its nice to get a trophy again.'
Sophie meanwhile is planning to compete at solo concerts later this year for her own development and improvement.
Her love of the cornet is something she picked up from her mum but there was never any pressure, said Hazle.
'I never even encouraged her — it was just something she always wanted to do,' she added. 'Now she knows more than I do.'