The Echo's Dee Adcock watched Ken Insley conduct himself immaculately in front of the Brandenburg Sinfonia.

IT was Friday the 13th but it had all the makings of being my lucky day - with the chance to conduct a real live orchestra as my highlight of the Lakeside Proms concert at Kingston Maurward.

The baton would go to the person who pledged the highest bid for the honour, and though the Dorset Echo had put up the highest bid in advance it was likely that somebody would be so enthused by the magical music and atmosphere that they would top it on the night.

I hoped that they would - and that they wouldn't. Like everyone else at the concert, I wanted to see as much money as possible go to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. But, oh boy, did I want to be the one waving the baton at the Brandenburg Sinfonia on that stage.

So it was with mixed feelings that I watched as the orchestra's own conductor Robert Porter cajoled and chivvied the audience into making ever-higher bids. And as one and then another and another made their way out of the audience to place their Dutch auction-style bids, I saw my hopes for a brief but brilliant music career fade away.

The Echo's bid of £100 meant wannabe conductors had to dig deep if they were ever going to take the baton off me.

In the end it was Ken Insley of Weymouth who stumped up a staggeringly generous £500 for his place in the spotlight.

He was wonderful, taking the sinfonia through the Proms classic Jerusalem with sweeping arm movements and delight that was tangible to all of us watching with pleasure and, in my case at least, a fair amount of envy.

Ken said later: "I've always wanted to do that and it's such a good charity. It was money well spent. It was a great experience.

"My wife Val wrote our bid on a serviette and handed it in. Apparently it was only just the top bid."

Mr Insley, a retired teacher who lives in Weymouth, said he used to play guitar years ago but had never conducted before.

He added: "I'm tempted to do it again next year. I told my children I'm spending their inheritance - and enjoying it."

I was happy as well for you, Ken, and had to smile as you made your way back through the audience, arms aloft as you carried on conducting for sheer joy while the musicians cracked on through Land of Hope and Glory and the fireworks finale.

Oh well, there's always next year. And, to be honest, I know I wouldn't have been anywhere near as good as Ken.

Well done, kind sir.