A FORMER music teacher at the Castle School has been presented with a special award for her continued work with a school band she founded.

Gillian Holmes set up the steel band Panache when she was Head of Music and continues to conduct their frequent performances after 24 years.

The award was bestowed by Baroness Shirley Williams of Crosby at the Thornbury and Yate Lib Dems Annual Dinner at the Players Golf Club in Codrington on October 16.

Baroness Williams congratulated Mrs Holmes on her remarkable work in providing opportunities to engage in musical activity in imaginative and exciting ways, noting that a number of former Panache members have gone on to music-related careers.

The band perform regularly in the South Gloucestershire area but have also visited Germany six times and Barbados three times.

Later in her talk, Baroness Williams paid tribute to the work of Steve Webb during his time as Pensions Minister and his efforts for people in the constituency.

Panache will be performing on November 17 by The Plain as part of the Thornbury Christmas Lights switch-on event.