The Exmouth Light Orchestra’s next concert – on July 18 – will include several young (and not-so-young) musicians. These new players have come through the charitable “Big Scratch” initiative, which has been running in East Devon since 2012.

Nationally, the learning of traditional instruments has waned in recent years, especially those of the violin family. These make up the backbone of a symphony orchestra, often numbering some 52 players of first and second violins, violas, cellos and double basses.

Thanks to generous funding from Devon County Council in 2012 and 2013, the ELO charity was able to buy 70 new violins of every size, as well as several cellos and double basses, not to mention a drum kit and other symphonic instruments.

Free group string lessons could then be offered to primary school children along with their parents – and in some cases grandparents – to see if they enjoyed it and had the potential and motivation to take it further.

Several years later, the seeds of the initiative have flowered into a growing number of budding violinists and cellists playing in the full 80-piece ELO. Once the ‘Scratchers’ experience the sonority of strings and wind instruments combined, they’re “hooked” and never look back.

The ELO is currently putting the finishing touches to a varied programme for its forthcoming concert. It includes The Planets by Holst, memorable themes from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, as well as lyrical pieces, such as the adagio from Spartacus, the theme from the film Born Free and more.

The concert is at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 18, at the church of St John The Evangelist, in Withycombe Village Road, Exmouth, next to the tennis centre. It has ample parking and wheelchair access. Interval refreshments will be served in the adjoining hall.

Tickets are £5 from Best Books, The Parade, Exmouth and Card Shop Too, High Street, Budleigh. For more information, go to www.exmouthlightorchestra.co.uk or phone 01395 278497.