THE BLAENAVON Town Band staged a charity concert, in memory of one of its members who had sadly passed away with cancer in 2009.

The beneficiaries of the concert were the St Anne's Hospice and St David's Foundation who had both looked after the band's member, Martin Adams, aged 53, when he was ill.

Mr Adams had been a member of various bands and he served Blaenavon Town Band faithfully since 1997. The talented bass trombone player was described as popular, well liked and respected by his many friends in the banding fraternity.

The concert on November 7 raised just over £580 for each charity and cheques will be presented to the charities on January 31.

The band was in fine form and stamina for a marathon evening of brass band and singing.

A wonderful mezzo-soprano, Mandy Starr, sang a range of repertoire from Bellini to Rogers and Hammerstein.

Highlight of the evening was the superb trombone soloist Chris Thomas from the Cory Band who proved once again he is an excellent musician. Chris Needs whose jokes, songs and sheer personality made the evening go with great gusto compered the evening.

Blaenavon Town Band is one of the oldest cultural organisations in the town and was established late in the late 1890's when it was known as the Blaenavon Town Silver Band.

It then became supported by the local colliery, Big Pit and through subscription it was known as the Blaenavon Colliery Workmen's Band until the pit closed in the early 1980's and is now known as the Blaenavon Town Band.

The band provides a performing platform for local brass musicians, performing on the concert and contest stage both locally and nationally. To help secure its future the band supports a thriving youth section which also makes regular concerts and contest appearances.