NEARLY £600 was raised at a wartime classics concert in Chipping Sodbury.

An evening of wartime commemoration took place in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on Saturday, November 8.

The Dodington Parish Band held the wartime classics concert with proceeds of £596 from the evening being donated to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

The audience enjoyed performances by the brass band with pieces played being associated with both World Wars at the event.

The concert also saw the audience participate by singing along to some of the well known song collections.

The band’s musical director Peter Cornford said: ““We approached the British Legion several months ago about the event and they were delighted about it and helped us organise it.

“Around 125 people came along, so a full hall which was great. I truly think it was the best concert we have held in the 18 year history of the band.”

The brass band has 30 musicians and is currently the largest brass band in the region, with players aged between 13 and 70.

The band are non-competing and regularly arrange concerts with a varied programme of music, practising at the Dodington Parish Hall.

Mr Cornford said: “We had a range of commemorative pieces on the programme, which was important as it was 100 years from the First World War. We played trench songs and popular songs from the Second World War. We also played some original pieces arranged by myself.

“We have a lot of support from the community, and an open door policy so people are always welcome to come along and join in.”

Solo performances were given by Ed and Thomas Goodman, Bev Willians and Jason Andrews during the wartime concert.

The money raised will go towards the charity that supports the armed forces community, working with serving service personnel, veterans and their families.

To learn more about the Dodington Parish Band visit: www.dodingtonparishband.co.uk and to find out more about the Yate and Sodbury brand of the Royal British Legion visit: www.britishlegion.org.uk.