Early in 1999 a group of former Royal Marines musicians living in the Plymouth area spotted a gap in the music market for a small orchestra playing the kind of music that was popular on the BBC Light Programme fifty years earlier. Scores and parts were sourced and a short list of musicians drawn up.

The Duke of Cornwall hotel in Plymouth offered space for a get-together but still there was no conductor. 

Someone remembered that John Ware was now back in the Plymouth area (he is a Plymothian by birth) having recently retired as Principal Director of Music of the Royal Marines Band Service after a distinguished career.

It would clearly be a great fillip if the fledgling orchestra could be directed by someone who was already a national figure. John accepted the invitation to conduct.

By the spring the Radio Light Orchestra had a committee. Its first concert took place in the Duke of Cornwall Hotel in August. It was a sell-out. The press liked its professionalism and its mix of music and the rest is history.

John retired a few years ago and his baton has passed on to Major Barrie Mills who first directed the Orchestra one rain-drenched evening in Torbay. As soon as he raised his baton, the sun came out. Let’s hope he has the same success at this year's festival.