​Our fantastic Bass team won Section of the Year at our annual Acheivement Awards earlier this month. Their win was recognition of the fact that they're brilliant musicians and work together really well as team, but also that they're currently somewhat under strength and still pulling it out of the bag at every rehearsal and concert!
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In just under four weeks, Lydney Town Band will be competing at the WEBBA Regional Finals and we have an exciting summer programme ahead of us this year. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in joining us and being part of that great team please get in touch!

It’s only three weeks until the WEBBA Regional Finals in Torquay! We’re absolutely thrilled that Herbie, who has stepped up from Lydney Training Band, and Ian have joined our cornet section for the contest this year!

Following the excitement of the Training Band awards last Saturday, it was time for the inaugural Town Band awards to be given out!

Presented by Musical Director, Thomas Dunne, the well deserving winners were:

Player of the Year: Samantha Ford (Horn)
Section of the Year: The Bass Section
Most Improved Player: Idris (Euphonium)
Player’s Player Award: Idris (Euphonium)

​Speaking about his aspirations for the year, Thomas said: “Looking ahead to 2023, we want to build on the progress we made in 2022. This year we’re aiming for a top-three placing at the West of England Regional contest, with an eye on qualifying for the National Championships. We will continue to develop our summer concert series and deliver a diverse and challenging set of new repertoire. Following the success of our 130th anniversary concert in 2022, we hope to be able to feature both the Town and Training bands together in concert again, and later in the year to go one place further at the Wychavon Festival of Brass. Most importantly though, our main goal is to continue to enjoy making music together as we continue to develop into 2023 and beyond. I for one am eagerly looking forward to the future with this fantastic group of musicians.”

Lydney Town and Training Bands celebrated their annual Achievement Awards on last Saturday at 3 Hill Street, Lydney.

Kevin Ford, Band Chairman, kicked off the event presenting welcome certificates to two of the Starter Group's newest members: Euan and Amanda. Moving onto the Band Awards, the list of winners featured players from both the Starter Group and the Training Band, across various ages and sections within the band. The winners were:

Most Promise Award - Gail Thompson (Cornet)
Most Improved Band Player - George (Euphonium)
Tutor's Award - Millie & Jessica Waskett (both - Horn)
Most Improved Cornet Player - Dougie
Player's Player Award - Sadie (Cornet)
Conductor's Award - Samuel (Cornet)
Musician of the Year - Sadie (Cornet)

There were also thank yous to the band tutors: Ken and Roger Powell, as well as Dave Wintle (not present). Following the presentations there was drama in the annual awards evening skittles tournament. After multiple rounds of knock-outs, the game culminated in a closely fought finale between Kevin, Kay and George: with Kay eventually emerging as this year's winner!