MEMBERS of Hatherleigh Silver Band, both young and not so young, attended the recent Bideford Solo and Quartet Contest. There were a host of excellent performances at the event held at Bideford College Theatre, many from those taking part in their first ever contest. Nicola Grindley (seventh place), Jade Morris (fifth place) and Joshua Quick played in the under 9 age group. There were 22 entrants in the slow melody class for 10 to 12 years of age, including Thomas Boother, Andrew Collier, Guy Cologne-Brooks and Clare Reynolds, all of whom gave a very creditable performance. Andrew Collier won second place and Thomas Boother won the award for most improved player in the age group. Nigel Letheren and Mark Reynolds also played well in the difficult 13 to 15 years section. In Class 8, the duet section for the under 17-year-olds, the silver band entered its ?Young Guns? who came up trumps. Playing were Joshua Quick and Clare Reynolds, Nigel Letheren and Hannah Twose, who were placed third, and Mark Reynolds and Andrew Collier, who were placed second. In Class 10, the quartet for the under 17s, the Hatherleigh Youth Four achieved a very creditable third place. In the over 18 years of age quartet section, the Hatherleigh Hot Four achieved an excellent fifth place, having had only one hour of practice. It was an excellent day?s music making, and was a good experience for all the players. It has been a busy month for the band, during June they played at Drewsteignton Fair, the Ruby Run, a bugle contest and an open air service at North Tawton. This Saturday (July 2) the band are playing at Hatherleigh Church Fete at 3pm, and on Thursday, (July 7) they play an evening concert as part of the Hatherleigh Festival. The silver band also play at Tavistock Carnival on Saturday, July 16.