A FLEDGLING brass band for youngsters has played its first public performance.

The newly re-formed Michelmersh Training Band performed at a village picnic held at St Mary’s Church in Michelmersh on Sunday, July 23. The church organised the event to raise funds to support Ukrainian refugees and their hosts.

A concert was performed by the senior Michelmersh Silver Band with the second half being opened by the Training Band under the baton of Louisa Newman.

The youngsters, aged from five to 12 and currently all children of main band members, have only been playing together as an ensemble for a few weeks and performed an enthusiastic 20-minute programme for the audience.

READ MORE: Silver band enjoy successful concert following Beggars Fair performances

It was an apt venue for the band to make its debut as St Mary’s Church was also the venue for Michelmersh Silver Band’s very first public performance in 1886 when it was formed by villagers Tom Parsons, whose grandson David still plays in the band, and Thomas Topp.

Training band member Thea Smith (8) joins her mother, Katie Topp and grandfather, Michael Topp in the current Michelmersh Band family – the fifth generation of the Topp family to carry on the banding tradition started by her great-great-grandfather.

Any novice brass players interested in joining the Training Band to experience playing in an ensemble, are encouraged to look out for more information on the Michelmersh Silver Band Facebook page in September.