A WIVELISCOMBE woman is set to bid farewell to the Royal Marine Band in a swan song show in her hometown after 22 years of service with the group.

Sgt Charlotte Sus, 40, who lives in Langley Marsh, is set to retire from the Navy after serving her full term, but not before a ‘must see’ concert in her hometown.

HM Royal Marine Band Lympstone, complete with 50 musicians, is set to perform in St Andrews Church in May to a packed audience with the 300-seater venue ‘almost sold out.’

The event will be Sgt Sus’ last, before she moves on to begin a new career as a music tutor. Sgt Sus is well known locally as the conductor for the Wiveliscombe Town Band and for her work with the High park Community project - a local initiative to help young people get involved in music.

The band, which served at the Queen’s funeral and King’s coronation will be performing for the town just days after returning from a scheduled NATO training exercise in Hungary.

The event is being held to raise money for Armed Forces charity SSAFA, with Wellington School student cadets taking collection buckets around the venue.

Commenting ahead of the May 18 performance, Sgt Sus extended an invite for young people interested in music to arrive at the earlier time of 3pm, where they will be treated to a private presentation. She said: “We are inviting any young musicians in the area to come and meet the band at 3 pm prior to the concert.

“We will be delivering a presentation about what a career in the Royal Marine Band Service means, and they will be able to join us for our sound check.”

She added the show would be a ‘must see’, she said: “You have to see it to believe it, particularly the drums. There is something about the atmosphere we create that you just have to see, especially with the great acoustics of the church.

“The Royal Marines are world class, it’s worth coming along to hear us play.”

Tickets are on sale for £15 via TicketSource.