Hatherleigh and Northlew Training Brass Band played alongside the cream of the Westcountry’s brass bands at the 73rd South West Brass Band Association Competition recently.

The contest on Saturday, November 2 at the Riviera Centre in Torquay was a major step for the band, with most of the current players only six months into their playing career.

They were delighted to come third in the training band section.

Bandmaster Tim Williams said: ‘It was a brilliant day and days like that make it all worthwhile. The band isn’t just for the younger generation, we have mums and retirees who have joined the ranks learning to play brass instruments, but it is mainly about the kids and they were brilliant.

‘The performance was met by rapturous applause, the audience and adjudicators understanding the importance of getting new blood playing brass instruments as well as being impressed by the confident and clean playing.

‘To top the day off we won a prize, the Mayers and Harrison Cup for coming third in the training band section.

‘Congratulations to all who took part and to the helpers and parents and relatives who ferry people to practices every week. A truly impressive result for all.’