A Christmas Concert that highlighted the community involvement of Spennymoor Town and Youth Bands has been recognised in a recent Parliamentary debate.

The event in aid of the Town Mayors Charity Appeal raised £1300 for the beneficiaries, Spennymoor Learning Library and the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

MP tribute

In attendance alongside the Mayor was Alan Strickland, the Member of Parliament for Newton Aycliffe & Spennymoor.

Addressing MPs in a recent culture debate he stated: "Can I pay tribute to Spennymoor Town and Youth Bands, who put on a fantastic brass band concert.

I want to pay tribute to them not just for the quality of their music, but for the fantastic work that brass bands like Spennymoor Town Band do to train up the next generation of young musicians and provide free music lessons in communities where parents would struggle to access such high-quality tuition.

The music culture in County Durham is vital, and I put on record my thanks to Spennymoor Town and Youth Bands for their hard work, particularly Hugh Stephenson, the President and Fiona Casewell, the Musical Director."

I want to pay tribute to them not just for the quality of their music, but for the fantastic work that brass bands like Spennymoor Town Band do to train up the next generation of young musiciansMP, Alan Strickland

Humbled

In response, Hugh, who is the organisation's Vice President added: "Mr Strickland told us he had thoroughly enjoyed the concert and the band was humbled to hear that he had mentioned the band during parliamentary debate."

He added: "So much that happens within the organisation would not be possible without the support, financially and in kind, of Spennymoor Town Council, something which is really appreciated.

Recognition in the House of Commons is the icing on the cake of a great year for us."