OKEHAMPTON Excelsior Silver Band held its Christmas concert in the Charter Hall last week. 

Carols were sung and members of Okehampton Training Band also played, under the guidance of Cathy Lovegrove.  Jessica Alexander and Victoria Isaacs played the duet Allegretto, while James Alexander Alexander and Edward Haskell played Hatikvah; they also played a selection of Christmas songs during the second half of the evening.

The concert was attended by Okehampton's mayor, Cllr Maureen McDonald, who presented trophies to members of the training band who had competed in the Helston Band 53rd Annual Solo and Quartet Contest in November. Jessica Alexander came third in the nine years and under category with 'Aura Lee' on the tenor horn, Victoria Isaacs came second in the tenyears and under category playing 'Greensleeves' on cornet and James Alexander and Edward Haskell came first playing Hatikvah both on cornet in the junior duet category for under 18 years.

They were accompanied on piano on the day by Emily Alexander.

Cathy Lovegrove takes the training band which meets on a Thursday once a fortnight from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in the Band Room in the centre of Okehampton and new players always welcome, just come along.

The band is always looking for new members - they meet every Monday and Thursday night from 7.30pm to 9pm in the bandroom in Market Street, Okehampton. 

For more details please contact Julie Hood on  01837 52806.