THE final concert of Chipping Sodbury Music Society’s 2017-18 season heralded the much-anticipated return of the Mandolinqents.

The quartet features Europe’s leading mandolin virtuoso: Simon Mayor, Hilary James: vocalist and player of the mighty mandobass, Richard Collins: mandolinist, guitarist and banjo prize-winner, and classical guitarist Gerald Garcia.

A programme to suit all tastes opened with a Leroy Anderson favourite, The Typewriter.

Simon Mayor’s Taxi Horn Rag, inspired by a massive traffic jam he experienced in central London, touched many a raw nerve in the audience.

Irving Berlin’s song Bluebirds was beautifully captured by Hilary James.

Richard Collins' poem The Stick was a nostalgic reminder of a walk in the Yorkshire Dales; the charming Buttermere Waltz by Simon Mayor came from a similar experience.

A mandolin and banjo duet was fast and furious and really good fun.

Classical pieces by Bizet, Dvorak, Grieg and Vivaldi were given full measure.

The audience sang with great gusto the choruses from the infamous Spider in the Shed.

Everyone had warmed to the infectious banter, good humour and technical excellence of the group. It had been a memorable evening.

As part of Chipping Sodbury Festival, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the granting of the market charter to the town, the music society are bringing back their favourite medieval/world/folk music group, Joglaresa, to perform music fit for the occasion in St John’s Church, Wickwar Road on Sunday, June 10.

Review by Gerry Philp