VALERIE HANDFORD has never been one to blow her own trumpet.
But she did jump at the chance to play her cornet with the Salvation Army band on Oxford Road in Reading.
Valerie, 90, was delighted when staff at Austin House care home in Lower Earley where she lives, organised the trip to the church she used to attend.
The visit was extra special as her father was a Band Master in the Salvation Army and she started playing the cornet aged just seven.
After leading the Oxford Road band in a number of hymns, Valerie spoke of her delight at meeting many old friends.
“I never thought that I would be here with all of you today,” she smiled. “I was on the verge of tears. It is such an amazing feeling to know that such a loving group of people care so much about me that they helped me to live out a dream and I didn’t even ask.”
Karen Coggs, community manager at the Oxford Road church, added: “It was so nice to have Valerie visit. She really enjoyed being in the band and she played very well.”
Joseph Patterson, general manager at Austen House, said: “We believe that every moment is worth cherishing. We want everyone we care for to know how important they are to us here at Austen House.
“It was wonderful to see how happy Valerie was and the staff loved being a part of this as well.”
