A NEW amateur orchestra is being launched this autumn in the south west of the county.

The Olchon Community Orchestra will be meeting on Wednesday evenings from 6.30 to 8pm, starting on September 9. Applications from musicians to join this orchestra are welcomed, and alongside established amateur musicians young players are encouraged to join and enjoy the experience of playing in an orchestra.

The orchestra, modelled on the Croscombe Village Orchestra in Somerset which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, and organiser Elizabeth May says that it's hoped that adults who have played in the past but lapsed through the 'busyness' of life will be encouraged to return to playing.

"I am new to the area," says Elizabeth. "I've found that there's lots of music and lots of people around who are musicians and I thought we could get something going here."

Elizabeth adds that if anyone has a full-sized tuba tucked away in an attic she knows someone who's keen to play it."

For further details please call Elizabeth on 01981 510533.