ASPIRING musicians are being invited to join a new wind band that meets on the first Saturday of each month.

The group, for all abilities, saw a turnout of more than 40 people at its first meeting last month, at St Swithun’s CofE Primary School in Kennington.

Organiser Pat Aitken, a trombonist and Music for Schools Foundation teacher, said it was started to give children somewhere to continue playing together when they moved to secondary school.

The 39-year-old said: “So far we have had a great response and we already have a gig lined up later this year with the Cowley Conservative Club.

“There are a lot of children in the area who do not play anywhere, so it is nice for them to have something to aim for.

“At the moment we are just doing something once a month for fun, like Super Trooper and My Heart Will Go On.”

The group meets for two hours and it costs £1 per session to take part.

Mrs Aitken said she has been playing the trombone for more than 40 years, but that the group would welcome adults and children of any experience.

She added: “It is really for anyone who wants to have a go.”

Mother-of-two Becca Heddle took her two daughters, Janet, 10, and Annie, eight, to the first session last month. Ms Heddle said they had enjoyed meeting children from other schools in the area who had attended.

She said: “The girls really enjoyed it and are planning on going back.

“It was great to see people from other areas as well and I think one of my daughters is hoping that a friend from another school will come along to the next one.

“The other thing I noticed was the range of age and experience.

“There were adults and kids and people who had just started alongside people who were more experienced.

“Pat is just fantastic and really supportive. It was a very good idea.”

The group will meet next on Saturday, April 5, at 5.30pm at St Swithun’s.

Megan Rees, 10, a pupil at the school, said: “I like playing the flute because it is fun and I like the challenge.

“The band sounds really good.”