Richmond Orchestra are celebrating the joy of playing together again – but there are strings attached.

After four months apart, the musicians assembled in the Landmark Arts Centre to perform Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings.

"It was staggering how many people said how excited they were about being able to play a musical instrument in an ensemble again, having only been able to practice in their bedrooms for the past four months," orchestra chair Hugh Rogers said.

"If you're a musician, what you enjoy is the feeling of making music together."

Violinist Kay Greetham told Hugh: "I just wanted to thank you and congratulate you on a superbly organised string evening on Wednesday. No detail left to chance!

"And what a great time we all had, I know everyone loved it, and what's more we sounded amazing too after all the months of not playing."

There was just one drawback: only the orchestra's string section were able to play.

New government guidance issued earlier in July says wind and brass players need to remain 3m away from each other.

But this only applies to professionals - effectively preventing amateurs from playing together.

"Why are professional going to spit less than amateurs?" Hugh asked.

The group has a concert pencilled in for December, but the finer details are to be ironed out.

Hugh added: "Most people had been playing something and keeping their practice going.

"We may have not been completely up to muster but I certainly found it wonderful."

Save the Landmark Arts Centre

It has been a turbulent period for the Teddington venue.

In its 25th year, the centre launched a public appeal for donations to keep it afloat.

Hugh said: "The Landmark is a fantastic space. It's about the only space we have got available to use in the borough where you can have an orchestral concert.

"When we hold a concert there, it's a sell-out."

Visit our sister website Teddington Nub News for the latest on the campaign to save the arts centre.