"I was a member of Newtown Silver Band from 1957 - 1963 (approx) following in the footsteps of my brother Geoff. I joined the Band of the 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers from 1963-1978 and only realised there was a connection with the SWB's after reading David Pugh's article.
I found the article an interesting read, which brought back lots of very fond memories.
Playing outside the Bear Hotel where Pat Leach and myself played our first duet, terrifying.
Performing concerts on the village green at Llandyssil, Bettws, Montgomery Town, numerous fetes/shows, Newtown Carnival and the Slow March 'Scipio', playing outside Pryce Jones's when Father Christmas arrived by train and playing Carols at several locations over the Christmas period.
I also remember the band contests at Rhyl, Bolton, Preston and Manchester etc.
I vaguely remember competing in Manchester(C Section)and then going on to Old Trafford with my brother-in-law Terry Phillips (Trombone), to watch United playing Blackburn.
The team were re-building after the Munich Air Disaster. The last contest piece I remember playing was Saltzburg Suite. Was it at this time a gentleman by the name of Jack Skelton came along to some of our rehearsals, putting us through our paces and adding the finishing touches with positive results?
I remember Natty Corfield, however, it was Harry Leach who was conductor at the time, responsible for teaching me to play the cornet which I still enjoy to this day.
On leaving the Army in 1978, I came back to live in Newtown for 18 months with my family and once again became a member of the band.
Steve Edwards was Solo Cornet at that time and Ron Roberts was the conductor.
Having left a Military Band where the woodwind instruments do all the running around and there's more bars rest for the cornets, it was quite difficult to adapt to this continuous blowing, always looking ahead for the next bars rest to rest my lip.
The one event that sticks in my mind during this period with the band was a band contest at Leicester(?)
Following our performance and an excellent sing song with members of the other bands, I somehow ended up tagging along with Dennis (Jones) who had acquired a bottle of Whiskey and Bacardi. Not wishing to be rude, I felt obliged to help Dennis out.
We later decided to enter the main hall and listen to the championship section. From the balcony, Dennis spotted some empty seats amongst the dignitaries, to the side of the stage and expressed a desire to join them, which we did.
It was a strange feeling, sitting there amongst these people decked out in their chains of office, listening to Besses 'o the Barn.
On completion of the contest, following the presentation and speeches and everyone leaving the stage, Dennis said to me he would like to say a few words over the PA system. This wouldn't be a problem as one assumed the PA system had been switched off.
Wrong, it was still switched on and the hall was filled with the dulcet tones of Dennis, thanking everyone for coming along and listening to Newtown Silver Band.
In hindsight, a very amusing experience. For those who were there, is Dennis still in the Band Room?
I was fortunate to be present at the concert at the British Legion in November 2005. This was to commemorate Newtown Silver Band's 125th anniversary.The standard was impressive with an enjoyable, varied programme. Lovely to see old faces again.
I still enjoy playing lead Trumpet with the Hythe Town Concert Band (Kent) and at present, rehearsing for a very busy summer season commencing with a concert on Deal Bandstand on 13 May 2007 and concluding with the Venetian Fete in Hythe in August.
We actually lead the carnival procession up and down the canal on a raft. No handrails, little control of direction and can be a little scary! We haven't lost anyone yet, however, a certain amount of music and lyres have gone overboard, never to be seen again.
Keep up the good work and every success for the remainder of the year to the one and only, Newtown Silver Band.
Article written by Del Jones
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