BAND HISTORY...
2006 marked the 60th anniversary of the Isle of Sheppey St John Band. Over the years the Band has gone from strength to strength and has played at events all over the country - from local fetes and carnivals to higher profile occasions such as the Lord Mayor's Show. The Band is very proud of it's heritage and works hard to maintain the high standards and traditions that have evolved from it's beginnings.
The first mention of the Band in the Divisional records was an entry in the AGM minutes on the 16th May 1945 from Cadet Superintendent Scott which states that 'looking to the future we are forming a Cadet Band which would cost somewhere in the region of £300. If any member who is interested can help us we will be very grateful'.
It was after seeing another Cadet Band from Ramsgate perform in Sheerness that some of the local Cadets approached their Officers with a view to forming their own Band. After investigating the possibility, extensive fundraising began. This included donations from families and friends of the Cadets and a grant from the Commissioner of £45. Another donation was in the form of money for a trumpet by Mrs Dangerfield in memory of her son who had been killed during the war.
Mrs Howard ran the Burgoyne Dancing Academy in Strode Crescent and raised a great deal of money to help get the Band started. Her son Derek was a member who later on became Bandmaster.
When enough money was raised, Cadets Frank Rotherham, Arnold Saddleton, Arthur O'Bray and Derek Howard and the Treasurer of the Men's Division, Mr Rudd, went to Charing Cross Lane in London to Potters to purchase the instruments.
Due to the war wood was restricted and so a licence had to be applied for before the drums could be purchased. Until the licence was granted the drummers had sticks but had to make do with the desks in the Broadway School on practice nights!
The Band's first parade took place in Sheerness on the 27th April 1946. The parade began with a ceremony at the paddling pond in Beachfields where the instruments were officially presented. The drummers were presented with their drums by young girls from the Dancing Academy. Each drum had a small brass engraved plaque on the side marking the occasion. Several of the original drums, and the Drum Majors sash have survived from that day and now form part of the Band's archives.
After the presentation, the Band, led by Drum Major Norman Silverstone and Bandmaster Dick Lester, marched to St Paul's Church in Bluetown. Following was a large contingent of members from Sheerness and other local Divisions. In the church the drums were placed on the alter and blessed by the Reverend Harry Bridges. The parade then marched back up through the High Street and Broadway where the salute was taken at the Conservative Club.
At this time the Band consisted of only male Cadets, all of whom were members at the Sheerness Division. During the winter practices were held at the Broadway Boys School and for marching practice in the better weather the Band used the Lower Road on Sunday mornings as there was very little traffic.
At meetings in 1948 the following comments were made -
'The question of bugles for the Cadets was raised by A/O Harris who said that three new bugles for training purposes were needed by the Cadet Band. Mr Rule (President) then offered to pay for one and offered £3 to the Treasurer'.
'Cadet Superintendent Scott reported that trumpeters from the Cadet Band had been invited to play a fanfare for Princess Margaret and asked if funds could be made available to give the chosen boys facilities for easy travel and meals'.
After much hard work the Band's repertoire and reputation grew and was in much demand for leading parades and performing at fetes and carnivals throughout the area. At the AGM on the 30th July 1951 the Superintendent 'commented on the success of the Cadet Division's Band and mentioned that it was known as one of the best Cadet Bands in England'. At the same meeting the Cadet Superintendent stated 'the Band was much smaller owing to National Service calls but had managed to keep up it's high tradition. The work of the Bandmaster D Howard was responsible for this and it was mainly through his efforts that the Division was able to keep the Band at all'.
The early fifties say the Band travelling further afield, playing as far away as Harwich, Basildon and Brighton as well as having the honour to lead the annual St John Day parade to St Paul's Cathedral in London.
The late Rod Hull was a regular member of the Band during this period as was Mr Bill Jarvis who is still a member of the Band today.
The Band went from strength to strength during the 50's and built a reputation for being very smart as well as being strong musically. They had an effective marching display and a professional sounding fanfare section which were used for ceremonial occasions. The Band's repertoire at this time consisted of bugle marches interspersed with drum solos. One major event that the Band took part in was the St John Coronation Camp in 1953.
The 1960's saw Adult and Cadet members joining from the other Island Divisions - Sheppey Rural and Queenborough. However there were still no girls allowed!
The Band still used cavalry trumpets in Bb (non-valve) and drums, tenor drums, bass and cymbals. By the mid 60's the old rope tension drums were gradually replaced by the new rod tension drums. Practices were now held at the Sheerness Headquarters in St Georges Avenue and also the old Civil Defence Headquarters in Bridge Road. Regular route marches took place on Sunday mornings around the back streets to improve marching and playing.
In 1968 the Band experimented with valve trumpets to widen the range and increase the scope of playing pops, marches and songs from shows. The late 60's saw a lean period with dwindling numbers and only a small Band turning out on parade. In 1972 following the London Parade it was agreed that the Band would continue to practise but that public performances would be kept to a minimum owing to the lack of strength.
However following the amalgamation of the Island's Divisions in 1977 the instruments were re-housed at the Headquarters in Halfway and there was a resurgence of members and of interest in the Band's activities. The Band then became known as the Isle of Sheppey St John Ambulance Band, consisting of Cadets and Adults, both male and female.
Band Masters
Ernest Richard Lester 1946 - 1948 Derek Samuel Howard 1949 - 1958 Walter Gunn 1959 - 1969 Roger Dunn 1969 - 1971 John Austin (Drum Major) 1972 Various 'caretaker Bandmasters' 1972 - 1976 Sidney Budd 09/1976 - 1979 Michael Ashby 1979 - 02/1971 Maurice Taylor 03/1982 - 09/1985 Kevin Roberts 09/1985 - 1991 Tony Cole 1992 - 1995 Dave Anderson 1996 - 2000 Allyn Roberts 2001 - 2002 Dean Faulkner 2003 - Present