Newark Town Band’s Christmas concert at Hope Community Methodist Church on Barnbygate, Newark

A popular brass brand will hold its annual festive concert, off the back of a win at a regional contest.

At the start of November Newark Town Band came first in a contest for the North East Midlands Brass Band Association.

Following this success they will be holding a special Christmas concert at the Hope Community Methodist Church on Barnbygate, Newark, on December 1.

Band chairman, Alex Gibson, said: “The band have had a very successful year, including a spring concert that raised £1,000 for the Earthquake Disaster Fund, winning the North East Midlands Brass Band Association autumn contest, and promotion to the Third Section of the National Brass Band Championships.

“We have fulfilled a number of engagements in and around the town, the highlight being the August Brass Explosion, and more recently supported the civic Remembrance Day parade.

“We are now holding a final concert of the year before we start a very busy Christmas season, and look forward to a full audience at Hope Community Church on December 1 to help Newark's own brass band end the year in style.”

The concert will feature plenty of seasonal favourites to enjoy, both old and new, and will take place at 7.30pm.

The Newark Town Training Band, which has had successes of it’s own, will be joining the senior band on the evening.

Tickets are £8 and available to buy on the Newark Town Band website, accompanied children go free.

The band practices on Wednesday evenings at The Bridge Community Centre on Lincoln Road.

Anyone interest in joining the training band is encouraged to get in touch by contacting newarktownband@hotmail.com.

All ages are welcome, with vacancies for children and adults of approximately grade two standard across all brass and percussion.