According to Wikipedia, the tambourine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called “zils”. Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all. Tambourines are often used with regular percussion sets. They can be mounted, but position is largely down to preference. According to Phil Collins it is the most important instrument in Motown. To the majority of us, however, it is the instrument most strongly associated with the Salvation Army.

I have never in my life had anything to do with anything remotely religious until the lovely people at the Salvation Army in Maddiston (Falkirk) asked me to provide them with some training on how to prepare a good CV. They have lots of people referred to them from the Jobcentre for training to help them into employment and they were needing a refresher on how an employer would like to see CVs presented.

This was a fairly intensive 4 hour session but not only was I made to feel very welcome, I was provided with a delicious lunch of homemade lentil soup followed by apple crumble and ice-cream – I daresay I’ll be hurrying back if they need any more help!!!