RENOWNED tuba soloist Steve Sykes held a workshop recently in conjunction with Hatherleigh Silver Band. The workshop proved a huge success with more than 20 players coming along from around the region to benefit from Steve?s vast experience. Earlier this month, the inaugural meeting of the newly established training band took place in Hatherleigh Town Hall. After a practice session the fledgling players gave a short concert in front of a sizeable audience of parents and friends. Band press secretary Jim Reynolds said he hoped in due course the band would be able to get the musicians some sweatshirts, if sponsorship can be secured: ?With the Christmas concerts soon upon us, it is hoped the training band will be part of the entertainment on offer. At present we have 23 learners, but we still have some vacancies to fill.? The training band is open to people of all ages who would like to give playing an instrument a try. The band also played, after an absence of a number of years, at Okehampton Carnival. Next month it will be leading Hatherleigh Carnival procession, and will take part in the Remembrance Day parade. On Saturday, November 5, the band will be at the Riviera Centre, Torquay,for the SWWBA annual contest. The piece of music in the band?s section will be the lively ?Mexican fiesta? written by Ronald Hammer.