Thursday night saw the return to Jalon's main square of the Lions Youth Band from Sandbach in Cheshire.  This talented group of youngsters performed the final night of their Costa Blanca tour in front of a packed audience of all nationalities.

All the music was well-known including a couple of songs from the Jungle Book, "I Wanna Be Like You" and a very funny rendition of "The Bare Necessities" played by a tuba soloist trying to out do the rest of the band.  Other numbers were not so obvious for this type of band such as "The William Tell Overture" or "YMCA" with some of the band swapping their instruments for Village People style hats and dancing in front of the stage.  The band's signature piece is the "Can-Can" with more energetic dancing.

There were two impromtu breaks in the concert because of the church bells ringing out their own recitel much to the annoyance of the audience and organisers.  The band played on gallantly without appearing to be phased by the interruption, a testiment to the concentration and professionalism of the young performers.

The band is one of three run by the Cheshire Lions Club.  The other two are the Lions Junior Band and the Lions Beginner Band.  All the instruments are provided by the Lions Club through sponsorship.

Hugh Stewart from the Benissa and Calpe Lions Club explained that "the idea behind the bands is that no child should be unable to play a musical instrument simply because they can not afford to."

The Youth Band have been on the Costa Blanca for the past week, camping out at the Lady Elizabeth School in Lliber and performing concerts up and down the coast.  Even though this was the final concert of this visit, they still have a busy schedule ahead of them.

Immediately as the concert was finished the instruments were loaded into a waiting van to be driven back to the UK. The band members were having a day at Aqualandia on Friday before flying home on Saturday morning, ready to be reunited with their instruments for a concert on Saturday evening. After having Sunday off they are in the studio on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday recording their next CD.

The free concert in Jalon, organised by The visit has been organised by George Smith from the Jalon and Orba Lins Club, raised 231 euros through collections and sales of their previous CD's.