A TADLEY brass band is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special concert.

Tadley Concert Brass has been making music and performing for the past three decades and its 30 members are putting on an open air concert to celebrate the band’s birthday, on July 18.

Entitled An Evening of Music from the Films, visitors can bring along a picnic and paraphernalia to enjoy the concert at Tadley Rugby Football Club, in Red Lane, Aldermaston.

Guests are also invited to dress up as their favourite television and film characters and there will be prizes for the best groups, as well as a prize draw to win £100.

Paul Chapman, musical director of Tadley Concert Brass, said: “The band will be on a stage and covered but let’s hope for a lovely dry, warm evening.

“There will be a display of band photos covering the past 30 years for all to see.”

Also performing will be Tadley’s James Paterson, who sang in the original West End production of Phantom of the Opera.

The brass band started out as a small local youth band in 1975 which grew over several years and officially become Tadley Concert Brass in 1979.

Last year, the group gained a place at the national brass band championships in Harrogate and were promoted from the fourth to the third section in the national league.

Mr Chapman said: “The championships were a great experience for everyone and gave the band tremendous encouragement for all the hard work they put in.”

The band meets on Monday evenings in the band room at Tadley RFC. Anyone interested in joining can contact the band by visiting tadleyconcertbrass.co.uk.

Tickets for the concert, which starts at 7pm, cost £7.50, and children under 12 go free.

They can be bought by calling Mr Chapman on 01189 816117.