It was a profitable visit to Bugle, Cornwall, for young Parkend bander Ben Stratford, 13, when he came away with four trophies for his baritone playing.  At the Bugle Festival of Music and Drama Ben picked up awards for the under-15 slow melody, the under-18 slow melody, the open Aire Varie and under-18 best player.

Ben plays for Parkend Silver Band and Forest of Dean Brass, and he has performed with the Gloucestershire Youth Brass Band and Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.  "We are all very proud of him," said mum Sharon Stratford.

BLOW me ... brass banding is in Russell Morse's blood and it must be good for you. He's still going strong at 80!  the well known Forest bandsman followed in the family tradition when he joined the famed Yorkley Onward at the age of just eight. His grandfather had been a founder member in 1903 and he was taken to his first rehearsal by his father Jack who was also a player.

    Russell enjoyed 58 years as a player with Yorkley Onward in the days when they swept all before them in the brass band world. He decided to retire when the Onward amalgamated with Coleford Town Band in 1994, to become Forest of Dean Brass.

    Five years ago, aged 75 Russell was persuaded out of retirement - and has never looked back.  Band members turned out in force to help Russell celebrate his 80th birthday with a surprise party last Thursday.

    Under musical director Jackie Gwynne - another former Yorkley Onward player - Forest Brass players are now hard at work rehearsing for the Area Championships in Torquay in March."