10 year old Alice Blockley of Tewkesbury Town Training Band has become the excited recipient of a brand new Besson Prodige cornet thanks to the quiz brains of band member Nicholas Patten (right).
He got all the answers right in the annual 4BR Christmas Quiz, with the wish that the prize, donated by Besson and Band Supplies Ltd, would go to an aspiring young player.
Thrilled
Alice is part of the Training Band that rehearses on Friday evenings during term-time, and then more regularly every Sunday evening.
Her mum said she was "thrilled" to receive the cornet which will further help her development as a player. "She will be practicing every day now!"
Volunteers
The Training Band conductor is Helen Walters (who also plays cornet in the senior band and daughter of former EBBA Treasurer Nigel Morgan) who shares the duties with husband Hadrian (who also plays trombone in the senior band).
They are part of remarkable group of volunteers who inspire a regular stream of young and older players to be part of the band.
Grass roots banding
Quiz winner Nicholas told 4BR: "I'm one of the returnees and it is a joy to be part of an organisation that is an example of all that is good about grass roots banding.
Young players invariably go off to university, but new players such as Alice keep coming through and enjoying their banding with us.
It's a great family atmosphere here and I would recommend anyone in the Tewkesbury area who wants to be a part of making music together to just come along on a Sunday evening. Everyone is welcome!"
Young players invariably go off to university, but new players such as Alice keep coming through and enjoying their banding with us4BR Quiz winner, Nicholas Patten
Delighted
Besson's Euan Miekle told 4BR: "Besson and Band Supplies are always delighted to link up with 4BR for the annual Christmas Quiz — and even more so that the prize goes to a player in a youth, training or Beginners ensemble.
Our congratulations go to Nicholas and best wishes also go to Alice who we are sure is going to enjoy playing on her new Prodige cornet surrounded by friends in a great banding environment."
