Lions Youth Band recently returned to rehearsal with a great workshop weekend led by their friends from Foden's Band.

Mike Fowles took the baton for the Friday evening rehearsal to get lips back into trim following the Christmas break, whilst Saturday was filled with workshops from Mark Wilkinson, John Barber, Melanie Whyle, Stuart Baglin, Anthony Mann, Gary Curtin and Jonny Bates.

Mark Bousie also took to the rostrum to put the players through their first full band paces on the exciting European test-piece, 'Sanctuary' by Daniel Hall.

There was a fantastic buzz about the bandroom all weekend. We can all see our trip to Montreux for the European Championships on the horizon now — it's not that far awayMD, Nigel Birch

Welcome back

It proved to be a great way to welcome back the players, as MD Nigel Birch told 4BR.

"There was a fantastic buzz about the bandroom all weekend," he said. "We can all see our trip to Montreux for the European Championships on the horizon now — it's not that far away.

The fundraising activities have been amazing and the players are all eager to show just what they can do.

The Foden's team was brilliant and have given everyone a great boost."