Highworth Grammar School hall reverberated with World Cup-themed tunes on Sunday afternoon as the Ashford Sinfonia orchestra worked their magic under the guidance of conductor Wesley Carroll. I attended the concert in support of my mother and aunt both of whom have recently joined the orchestra for social reasons and in order to rejuvenate their erstwhile violin skills first acquired several decades ago at school in South-East London.  Despite their protestations that their personal performances would not be up to scratch, I watched with pride as their bows danced across the strings and as their brows, furrowed in concentration, relaxed into smiles at the end of each piece. Ashford Sinfonia is fronted by conductor Wesley Carroll, a 30-something-year-old father of four who proved himself to be a talented pianist as he played the first movement of  Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto in C with the orchestra (and he also managed to weave in the Match of the Day tune in order to keep with the football theme). Recent stroke victim, David Worsley, performed a fine French horn solo in Nessun Dorma.  His solo was well-received and great support was given at the end of the concert to David’s chosen charity, East Kent Strokes. The concert was well-attended by friends and family including many children who seemed to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.  Carroll’s humour and jovial banter with the audience and the orchestra created a light-hearted ambience. Ashford Sinfonia meet at Highworth School every Monday evening during term-time.  There are concerts at the end of term and the next concert will be at Christmas. Faye Lillie