About: In 1947 I lived in Haringey, London, I joined the Boy's Brigade when I was 12, there were 80 boys (ages 12 to 21). I learnt to play the cornet and played 3rd, 2nd, rep and front line. At 17 years old moving to 1st horn.
1951 saw the Festival of Britain, we were Champion band of BB (12 bands). We played to King George VI at Buckingham Palace and late Queen when she was still a Princess on stage at Albert Hall and played 30 min on TV.
In 1952 I was invited to join Enfield Central Band (Championship Band) playing Tenor Horn and the Baritone. We played at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, every home game over one season.
Between 1953 to 1955 I completed my National Service in RAF, I played horn or baritone, after training finished up, I was in South Wales for 18 months playing baritone in RAF and helping Barry Silver in summer evenings in the local park.
In 1955 my family had moved to Harlow, I was demobbed, I had played football from young age and in RAF, joined Harlow Town FC but there was no banding.
Mr. David Crossly, from N England, had the great idea of forming a top-class band, Harlow Urban District Council had given a grant of £1,300 and a loan of £700 to purchase a set of 2nd hand instruments. Mr. Chad intended to get ex coalmine bandsman to move down from the North and find them houses and jobs in Harlow which was in the early stages of development. It did not work out and so he was now looking for local bandsman, my wife Irene saw the requirement in the local paper, and I went to meet Mr. Chad and in 1960 Harlow Band started, I was on 1st horn. The band went up and down with players and conductors and finished after 2 years, I was invited to join Epping on 2nd Euphonium and later Tuba. I was with Epping many years and in the 80's, I became Chairman, we started town twining with Eppingen in Germany, and this is still taking place. I stopped playing with Epping for various reasons, was very involved with twinning, being the Chairman for 3 years, still involved. But then joined Harlow Brass Band and here I am!!

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