Foden's Band recently accepted a prestigious invitation to perform in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament.

The invitation to the North West Area champion came from local MP Fiona Bruce to play at the National Prayer Breakfast.

Archbishop

This saw 730 dignitaries, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Speaker of House of Commons, Speaker of House of Lords, Church Leaders and over 100 MPs joining together in a celebration of multi-cultural faiths.

The local Sandbach & Congleton MP spoke at the Foden's Patrons Concert earlier in the year and told the audience that she had been working for six years to obtain the rare honour from the Parliamentary authorities to allow a brass band to perform in the Palace.

Delighted

The MP was therefore understandably delighted at how the band played: "Foden's performed magnificently. As Chair of this year's event I was so proud as their local MP.

There were over 700 people in Westminster Hall including 50 Ambassadors from different countries across the world, over 150 Parliamentarians as well as faith and community leaders from across the United Kingdom."

There were over 700 people in Westminster Hall including 50 Ambassadors from different countries across the world, over 150 Parliamentarians as well as faith and community leaders from across the United KingdomFiona Bruce MP

Wonderful musicianship

She added: "Many MPs spoke to me afterwards to say how impressed they were by the band's wonderful musicianship and how much the music added to the occasion.

They were particularly moved by the majestic performance of 'O Magnum Mysterium', which was so sensitively played during the period of reflection in the programme of events."

Tour

Following the performance, the band members were treated by Fiona to a personal tour of the Palace of Westminster and the Houses of Commons and Lords.