Saltash Junior Band won the David Derham Plate in the brass band section of the Saltash Music Speech and Drama Festival.

The Band has recently re-structured their youth section, and the festival was their first public performance under Christy Smith. Christy was himself a member of the Junior Band a few years ago. He re-joined Saltash Town Band as solo trombone on his return from university.

They received some constructive comments from the judge, including a special mention for their percussionist Matthew Pascoe and praise for how well they all played together and listened to each other.

Saltash Town Band has a training band for those who have less confidence, where they can spend time on the basic skills of playing within a group.

This group is led by Jane McKane, who is one of the band’s solo cornet players.

The Junior Band is for those more experienced players where they can begin to work on more technical skills, build as players and start to play as an accomplished team by working on harder music joined by a few adult players.

The Band still continues to offer teaching in their beginner’s section to those who have never played a brass instrument.

Saltash Junior Band and training band meet at the St John Ambulance Hall, behind Saltash Fore Street, on Friday evenings from 6.15pm to 7.15pm with the Town Band following on from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

There are details on the website saltashtownband.co.uk