THE Aldbourne Band has been welcoming lots of faces new and old, including the return of David Johnson as their musical director.

Both Mr Johnson and the band are excited to be working together again as they strive to qualify for the national finals in the Albert Hall.

The band has also welcomed Simon Jones on solo horn and welcomed the return of Matthew Gilbert, assistant principal cornet, Simon Ridge, principal trombone and Lynsey Willis to the horn section for the West of England area contest at Torquay in March.

The band will next be performing in the longstanding 53rd annual concert at Immanuel Church, Upham Road, Swindon, at 7pm on January 31. Their guests will be the Aldbourne Youth Band and tickets are £8 and are available on the door.

"The band would also like to extend their best regards to outgoing conductor Josh Ruck and thank him for his work over the past year," said Janet Roe.