East Coast Emeralds on the up after police donation

Aug 5 2010 by Richard Fletcher, The Journal

YOUNG people are finding the right note in their town after getting a donation of musical instruments.

The East Coast Emeralds marching band, who are based at St Cuthbert's Church on Bedlington Front Street, received £300 worth of equipment from Bedlington police.

The donation will help them continue the good work the band does, providing a positive service for young people in the area.

It is made up mainly of teenagers but there are members as young as eight.

There is also a range of experience and they travel the country attending different competitions up to a world-class standard. Due to the band just starting out and having very little equipment, the Bedlington Neighbourhood Policing Team applied to the Northumberland Police Charity fund to support the players and were able to buy £300 worth of equipment, including cymbals, tambourines and pom poms.

Bedlington neighbourhood Inspector Ross Davison said: “They provide an excellent opportunity for young people to be involved in something positive and to learn new skills and we fully back this and any projects like this.

“Hopefully, the funding will go some way towards the group expanding and going on to bigger and better things.”

Pictured: Bedlington CSO Jen Sweeney and members of the local band East Coast Emeralds