Abbey Brass (Abingdon) has announced a number of new signings and moves in their ranks ahead of what promises to be a busy year.

Signings

Ania Gobold comes in on solo cornet whilst Lucy Lyndon-Jones returns on second trombone. Hannah Tompkins moves up the cornet section to take her seat on the front row bench with new recruit Achim Bosse Chitty coming in as bumper-up.

Paul Heast returns from his travels to come in on the back-row with talented youngster Ann Fisher is promoted from the Training Band to take up the second horn seat. Meanwhile, the tuba section is filled with recent arrival Raymond Tellis.

Rewards

MD Rob Tompkins told 4BR: "We are sorry to see players leave, but we wish them well. We now have a great cornet team, and it's the same with the horns, trombones and tubas.

It's especially encouraging to welcome Ann on horn, which shows the rewards of the hard work that is done in our Training Band."

It's especially encouraging to welcome Ann on horn, which shows the rewards of the hard work that is done in our Training BandMD, Rob Tompkins

Harper visit

The band is now looking forward to contesting at the popular Oxford Winter Contest (ODBBA) as well as the Regional Championships in Stevenage — an appearance that will be boosted by welcome return visit from Cory MD, Philip Harper to work on the Fourth Section test-piece.

Rob added: "Having Philip back with us really lifts the band and the end result will be that the test-piece will be well polished and he will also give me some useful pointers ahead of our final push before the contest in Stevenage."