Ottery St Mary Friends of Phyllis Baxter Action Group writes for the Herald.

1920 – Rupert Bear, Welwyn Garden City and rollercoasters in the UK all made their first appearance, as did a brass band in Ottery. This wasn’t Ottery’s first band as, prior to the war, there had been town bands but not exclusively for brass instruments. Since then, there have been changes both in the name and in the fortunes of the band.

The new band was originally called the Town Band but, after a falling out (the reasons for which are perhaps best left in the mists of time), it was renamed the Silver Band.

The Silver Band had to re-form after World War II and, in the early years, the band was strong in members and quality. So much so that, although brass instruments can be expensive, in the late 1950s the first new-for-the-band instrument was purchased: a second-hand euphonium for Harry Phillips to play. The first outing for Harry and his euphonium was the Axminster Carnival, where he tripped over and dented the new purchase. Fortunately, the damage was cosmetic only and the euphonium is still in use today.

Another thing which can be expensive is band uniform so an early version of the uniform was some donated police uniforms. To make the uniforms look more suitable for the band, braid was added but this didn’t stop one of the band members, a building labourer, wearing his band jacket to work when he couldn’t find anything else to wear.

By the early 1960s, only eight players were left. Perhaps the advent of television had something to do with this. Luckily, the band’s membership started to grow again in the early 1970s. This has continued and the Silver Band has grown to almost 30 members. The players vary in age from 11 to “much older” and come from a variety of backgrounds. In addition to the Silver Band, there is now also a thriving Brass Class under the direction of Gail Denning. Brass Class is for the less-experienced players but don’t think that “less-experienced” necessarily means “younger”. It’s never too late to take up a new hobby or, even, pick up from the half-remembered brass-playing days of your youth.

Locations for rehearsals have been many and varied including a tearoom in the factory, a room above the garages at the King’s Arms (where, due to a lack of electricity, practices were held by candlelight), and currently both the band room (in the Old Town Hall) and the Methodist Church.

With all these changes, one thing that has been constant since the 1920s has been the involvement of four generations of the Baker family. The latest in the family line, Verity, writes and arranges music for Brass Class and Gail observed, “Verity is indeed a legend, writing music for every individual within the group. She is really talented to engage with all the ages and abilities which we cater for. So much energy and enjoyment radiate from our small practice room on a Monday evening and beyond at public performances.”

Two of Verity’s latest compositions will be receiving their first public performance at the band’s (somewhat delayed) Centenary Concert on Saturday March 25, at 7.30pm, at The King’s School, Ottery St Mary. This will be a free concert both to celebrate the longevity of the band and to thank everyone who has contributed in any way to the band’s success. Tickets can be obtained from the Curious Otter bookshop in Ottery St Mary, from Malcolm on 01404 234330 or malcolmlee52@yahoo.co.uk, or from Eventbrite (search for “Ottery Silver Band”).

Sally Bull, the Silver Band’s Musical Director, said: “I am excited to be conducting the band for the Centenary concert. They are an amazing bunch of people who share a love of music and give of their time freely.

“Don’t miss the chance to secure a ticket for what is going to be a memorable evening’s music. The programme is varied and representative of the last 100 years of brilliant brass band music.”

The bands are also available for a variety of events such as fetes, carnivals, Christmas concerts. For more information, please look at www.otterystmarysilverband.co.uk, Facebook or contact Brian Baker on 01404 814502.