THE Royal Marine Band won a standing ovation on Saturday, May 18, after a ‘super performance’ which raised thousands for military charities.

The concert, held in St Andrew’s Church in Wiveliscombe, was the second time the band has performed in the town - and the last occasion on local woman Charlotte Sus, a 22-year veteran of the marines, will play with the band.

Ms Sus, 40, bid a musical farewell to the role with an extended solo and was awarded a bouquet of flowers by the Armed Forces charity SSAFA. She said it was an “emotional” moment, and added: “It was a wonderful event. I am still coming down from the high. It was a completely sold out event with hundreds in attendance, including the mayor and the Colonel of the Commando training centre in Lympstone.

“We performed a huge variety of music as we always do, including a traditional march set with the core of drums, a James Bond medley, and lots of solos.

“The reaction was absolutely wonderful, we had a standing ovation at the end, it was such a friendly and encouraging audience.”

Ms Sus, who also heads the Wiveliscombe Town Band, is now moving on to work as a music tutor. She added: “It was very emotional for me, I did a solo before the finale which I was really thrilled with. It was the last time I will ever wear my uniform and I was pleased all my family were there.”

Pauline Homeshaw, chair of the Wiveliscombe Area Partnership, who helped organise the event, said: “Everyone is so proud of Charlotte, she’s a total treasure. The evening was absolutely super, it was a full house and we even had people at the door without tickets trying to get in.

“It would be wonderful to welcome the band to the town again in the future.”