THE Turning Tides Project, the Crediton-based community interest company which works hard to give everyone equal access to music, the arts and life, especially for those with a "learning disability" or "autism" label, has received a cheque for £406 from Crediton Town Band.

The band chairman, James Hatchell, presented Jane Williams, the project director, with the cheque at a recent band training session.

Mr Hatchell said that the money was half of the sum raised at the Town Band's Carols in the Square event, which saw 700 people support in December.

He thanked The Turning Tides Project Band for taking part in the evening, also thanking all of the public who donated generously.

Mr Hatchell added that the other half of the money raised was to be used to help buy some new instruments for band members.

Jane thanked the Town Band and people who supported the event for their generosity and said that The Turning Tides Project Band said that to play at Carols in the Square was the biggest audience members had played at to-date!

Mr Hatchell added that the Town Band was pleased to announce that Norman Ponsford, husband of the late Town Band president, Mrs Gillian Ponsford, had agreed to become the Town Band's new president.