Foden's Band's principal cornet player, Mark Wilkinson, has been awarded the highest accolade in the brass band community - 'The Iles Medal' by the Worshipful Company of Musicians.

The annual award was first presented in 1947 by John Henry Iles, a Pastmaster of the Company, and is awarded to musicians who have made a significant contribution to the brass band movement.

The award has been made for Mark's "outstanding commitment" to Sandbach-based Foden's Band where he has held the position of principal cornet for 30 years.

In 2013 he was also appointed as Band Manager, playing a crucial role in maintaining the band's high standards.

A band spokesperson said: "Mark was also singled out for his youth education work that has seen him make significant contribution as a music educator, as a tutor with the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain as well as the National Youth Brass Bands of Wales and Switzerland.

"He is also a former visiting cornet professor at the Royal Northern College of Music, University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University as well as being a founder member of the Northern Ireland Armagh Summer School.

"Having first come to prominence at the age of 13 as the principal cornet of the Besses Boys Band, he went on to become principal cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and Wingates Band before joining Foden's in January 1992.

"As a soloist, he has performed in France, USA, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Australia, Switzerland, Italy, and Ireland and also has a number of solo recordings to his credit"

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Congratulations Mark from Sandbach Nub News and wishing you every success for many years to come.