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Silver Band Room PDF Print E-mail
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Wednesday, 07 November 2007
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Silver Band Room
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Jonty was just five years old when he was first introduced to band life.
"I used to go along with my father * he was the conductor at the time," he said.
"The band room was a wreck then. There was flooring in just half the room.
"While the band was playing in that half of the room, I used to sit in the other half making pot-pies in the dirt.
"I joined the band properly when I was eight years old."
Jonty is now 84.
His father, who was also called Jonathan, played the euphonium.
Jonty played the E-flat bass, while his elder brother, George, played the cornet.
It has been Tom Fletcher who has kept the band going in recent years, says Jonty.
Known for his skill on the trombone, Tom stepped into the breach when the band needed a conductor.
The remaining member of their stalwart group, Dryden, played the double-B bass.
"At one time, every village had a band, such as Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill," said Jonty.
"The 1950s and 1960s were the heyday for us.
"We qualified twice for the national finals of a competition run by the Daily Herald, and we travelled down to London.
"We travelled all over the country during those days, and family and friends used to come with us.
"We had a terrific social life. It was grand.
"In the end, though, the interest in bands just fizzled out,"

The Band Room was closed at the end of August 2005.


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