Members of the City of Oxford Silver Band posed for this picture in 1985 after winning a host of awards at an annual contest.

They amassed seven first places, three second places and cups galore in the competition organised by the Oxfordshire and District Brass Bands’ Association.

They also won the trophy for having the most entries.

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Taking pride of place were the two girls at the front, Sarah Morgan, 13, left, and Louisa Westbury, five.

Sarah, of Horspath Road, Oxford, won the cup for being the best under-15 girl instrumentalist, while Louisa, of Woodperry Road, Beckley, puffed her way to a musical award for the second year running.

In 1984, playing the cornet at the age of four, she won the England Challenge Cup for being the youngest entrant in the contest. She was the youngest musician in 18 years to win the coveted award.

Twelve months later, aged five and now playing the tenor horn, she won the cup again.

Among the first to congratulate her were her sisters Rebecca, eight, and Catherine, 13, and brother Duncan, 11, who all played with her in the band.

The contest for soloists, duets, quartets and small ensembles took place at Bayswater School at Headington and attracted bands from all over Oxfordshire.

Bayswater Secondary Modern School opened in September 1953 to cater for children from Barton, which was growing rapidly at this time. In 1975, when Oxford adopted a three-tier system of comprehensive education, it became Bayswater Middle School for children aged 9 to 13.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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