BROMYARD Wind Band has 40 players on 13 varieties of wind instrument, (brass and woodwind) but one very important player of a different instrument type...

Rachael Softly provides the energetic heartbeat to the band - driving the music on and bringing verve and excitement to the repertoire on the drum kit.

She started playing in the band not long after beginning drumming, 19 years ago, and as she says, "learnt on the job "- studying and taking her grade exams in drum kit, and says she always felt welcomed and encouraged by conductor David Thomas.

She added to her talents by studying piano with the band's original conductor and founder Stuart Corbett, playing to a high standard so that she could use the glockenspiel whenever required.

Rachael says she has played everywhere from The Royal Albert Hall to a cow shed!

The band has four gigs in the next few weeks, starting on Saturday, June 15 with an event near Wolverley, Kidderminster, Bodenham's Proms and Picnic in the Park at Bodenham Arboretum DY11 5TB, and followed the next day by playing in the afternoon at Lower Hope Open Garden Event in aid of St Michael's Hospice.

On Friday, July 12 the band will give a Sylvia Silver Memorial Concert at the Falcon Hotel, Bromyard.

This will be a cabaret style entertainment, with music from shows and musicals to honour Sylvia's interests and passion for the dramatic arts.

The next day, July 13, they will be playing in the afternoon at Leominster in the Priory grounds.

For more details on these events go to the website http://www.bromyardwindband.com/