The Watford Band will perform at the National Brass Band Championships in September after coming third in the regional competitions earlier this month.

The band dates back to 1894 and is one of the oldest brass bands in the area, member Irma Mullins tells me: “Mr A Mead and Mr J Hutchinson started it with no funds, each of the band members paid two shilling a week to the band instrument fund.  We still pay membership fees today, although it’s gone up a little.

“The band has no professional players, although some may have studied music at university. Our musical director, Ian Graves, was a professional musician in the army and has a wealth of experience.”

Irma and his fellow players are really keen to get more young people involved in their work. He explains: “When people think of brass bands they often think of coal mines and mills. These connotations are long out of date.

"The brass band music repertoire is as wide as any orchestral repertoire. The future of brass band relies on getting the interest of younger people to try a brass instrument over the many conflicting pressures from the electronic age - iPad, Xbox and the like.

“Learning music in a brass band helps with the development of social skills, being part of both the band and wider community. Watford Band would like to encourage beginners of any age to come and learn to play. We are also keen to encourage players who may not have picked up an instrument for a number of years to join us or established players who have recently moved into the area.

“We also have a Community Development Band and encourage beginners young and old. The band is really friendly, Ian likes to encourage everyone to stay for the first 20 minutes to rehearse with the main band.”

The band are performing later in April at a Cassiobury Park Party, April 23, and Knebworth Garden Show, April 29. Details: watfordband.org.uk