Those attending the Christmas charity band concert featuring The Waterloo Band and Bugles of The Rifles had a night to remember.

Held at The Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water. A festive programme of seasonal music, with plenty of audience participation, provided great entertainment.

The Band was led by WO2 Bob Ghigi, and there were some fine solo performances – Eliza French on saxophone in The Christmas Song, and Sgt Chris Evans on Northumbrian Pipes playing an evocative piece called Rose of Kelvingrove. Sgt Evans is one of a number of talented musicians in the Band – not only was he UK Champion on Northumbrian Pipes two years running, he also plays clarinet, saxophone, piano and recorder. Among other favourite pieces were a rousing rendition of the Radetzky March, and The Prince Consorts Own, featuring the Light Infantry and Rifle Association Buglers.

The Waterloo Band and Bugles of The Rifles is a band of The Army Reserves based at Edward Brookes Barracks in Abingdon. They were last seen in Bourton-on-the-Water when they marched through the village to mark the laying of a memorial stone in honour of a local hero, Lieutenant Colonel Dudley Johnson VC.

Guest of Honour for the evening was Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Air Marshal Sir David Walker, accompanied by Lady Walker. North Cotswolds Rotary were also pleased to welcome Kelda Fasasi and Amy Seaman from Brio Retirement Living, whose generous sponsorship ensured that the concert raised a total of £3200 for the local branch of the Royal British Legion, as well as for other local good causes supported by Rotary.

During the interval Rotarians and friends served homemade mince pies, and a bar organised by Rotary in the Rissingtons, together with a raffle in the interval, further helped to boost funds for charity. Club president John Barber thanked our lead sponsor, Brio Retirement Living, for their generous support, and also event organiser Bob Hadley and his team of helpers for all their hard work, as well as The Cotswold School for allowing us to use their hall. “This has been a brilliant evening of seasonal entertainment and music for all,” said John. “We very much hope that The Waterloo Band and Bugles of The Rifles will return again next year.”