ACROSS the country plans are being put in place to celebrate The Queen’s 90th birthday, and Winchester is no exception. On Saturday- the date of this year’s Trooping the Colour (the official annual celebration of the Queen’s birthday), Foden’s Band will perform a big brass concert in Winchester Cathedral at 8pm.

Foden’s Band, one of the world’s leading Brass Bands, will raise the roof with a ‘royal-flavoured’ first half and a second half which includes Last Night of the Proms favourites such as Sir Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Sir William Walton’s Crown Imperial and, of course, Sir Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, giving the audience an ideal opportunity to join in with Land of Hope and Glory at the end! The whole evening will be rounded off by a spectacular firework display in the Cathedral Close.

Tickets are £30 and £20 from the Cathedral Box Office on 01962 857 275 and online at www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk with the top price tickets also including a drinks reception before the performance for those who want to make a special treat of the evening.

In a long history of brass-playing excellence, which dates back to 1900, Foden’s Band has played by Royal Command on four occasions: for King George V and Queen Mary, for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (twice) and, most recently, for the current Queen at Buckingham Palace. Therefore, although Her Majesty will not actually be present this time, what better way to join in sending a special message of birthday wishes to her from Winchester Cathedral!

These events are part of a series of celebrations this weekend to mark both The Queen’s Birthday and the retirement of the current Dean.