Welcome to Lockerley Silver Band
Here at Lockerley, we’re more than just a brass band — we’re a friendly group of people who love making
music together. Whether you’re picking up your instrument for the first time, dusting it off after a break,
or have been playing for years, you’ll be made to feel right at home.
Our Friday rehearsals at 8:00 PM are relaxed, supportive, and full of laughter as well as great music. We
enjoy a wide-ranging repertoire, and there’s always someone ready to offer encouragement or share a smile.
Led by our Bandmaster, Richard Taylor, we’re proud to be part of our local community and passionate about
playing together.
If you’re thinking about joining a band, why not come along and see what we’re about? There’s no pressure —
just a warm welcome waiting for you.
We’d love to see you this Friday at 8:00 PM. New members are always very welcome!
Lockerley Silver Band Faces Eviction After More Than a Century
Lockerley Silver Band, a much-loved local institution with a history spanning over 164 years, is facing
eviction from its long-standing rehearsal space following a decision by Lockerley Parish Council.
At a Parish Council meeting held 17
th
November, councillors voted to give the Band notice to vacate the
room that has been its home for more than a century. The decision was carried by four votes in favour, with
one against and two abstentions. The notice requires the Band to leave by the end of March 2026.
A potential alternative location in the annexe of the Memorial Hall had previously been suggested. However,
at the Memorial Hall’s Annual General Meeting it was confirmed that the former youth club space will be
relaunched as The Hive, with a renewed focus on youth provision. As a result, Lockerley Silver Band
currently has no confirmed future base.
Without a suitable rehearsal venue, the Band’s continued existence is under serious threat. Members fear
that, after generations of music-making and community involvement, Lockerley Silver Band could be forced
to disband, bringing a long local tradition to an end.
Despite the uncertainty, the Band remains committed to performing and supporting live music in the
community.
Parish council Meeting 19th Janurary 2026 ( closed session ) Band Awaits Council responce to Letter
10th Feb 2026
At a meeting of Lockerley Parish Council held on 19 January 2026, the Council formally resolved that
Lockerley Silver Band must vacate the Parish Room by 31 March 2026. The Council stated that it considers
the use of public funds to support the Band to be financially prohibitive, unjustifiable and unsustainable,
and that precept funds must be used for the benefit of parishioners as a whole. The matter had previously
been discussed in public session in November 2025, and representatives of the Band had also met with
Parish Council members in September 2025. In subsequent correspondence, the Council confirmed that it
would not enter into further discussion on the decision. The Band has also been provided with a copy of a
historic agreement dated 1 May 1998 relating to the Band’s use of the Parish Room, which references notice
provisions. The decision therefore stands, and the Band is required to leave the Parish Room by the end of
March 2026.
A historic document dated 1 May 1998 has recently been disclosed to the Band. The current committee had
no prior knowledge of this agreement and is unable to confirm who signed it on behalf of the Band at the
time. Until this disclosure, we were unaware of any document that may have affected our understanding of
our security of tenure.
Interview with John Wilkins
on Sunday 19
th
June 2016
By Mary Rogers
John Wilkins – A Musical Journey
John Wilkins was born in 1928 in Newbridge, near Copythorne. Although his parents weren’t musical, his own journey into music began at the age of 10
when a friend at Copythorne School—who lived at Pollards Moor—told him about the Cadnam Band. Intrigued, John decided to go along, and was given a
cornet to play.
He received his first lessons from the bandmaster, Frank Lovell, who taught him in his own kitchen. Frank was also the father of Marion Bungay. At that
time, the Cadnam Band practiced in a hut next to the White Hart pub in Cadnam.
However, John didn’t feel entirely comfortable with the cornet, and soon switched to the E flat bass—a position he would stick with throughout his musical
career, occasionally switching to B flat bass for contests.
During the Second World War, the Cadnam Band managed to keep going thanks to its older members. They took part in wartime fundraising events such as
Wings for Victory Week
,
Buy a Tank
, and
Buy a Spitfire
. John recalls one memorable occasion when the band marched for five miles through the Cadnam
area, raising money for the war effort.
Eventually, the Cadnam Band folded as many of its aging members could no longer continue. The band’s instruments were shared out: Marion received one,
her brother got several, and John was given an old E flat bass. The band had very little sheet music, but John was handed a set of Wright and Round
books—ideal for small groups of 10–12 players. He recalls playing marches like
Staunch and True
and waltzes such as
Humpty Dumpty
and
Heartsease
from these collections.
After Cadnam disbanded, John stopped playing for a time. It wasn’t until 1955 that he returned to banding, when an old Cadnam bandmate who had joined
Lockerley Band invited him along. Two years later, John officially joined Lockerley to fill an E flat bass vacancy. He played alongside Walter Sillence
(Charlie’s father), who also played E flat bass.
At that time, many members of the Lockerley Band were Baptists and Methodists. John also played alongside Michael Pritchard, the grandson of Isaac
Pritchard. Over the years, John eventually became the bandmaster at Lockerley, before later returning to his original role on the E flat bass.
Music became a family affair—his daughter Joan played tenor horn, as did his wife, Joyce. When John first joined in 1955, there were no women in the band.
However, when the group needed a tenor horn player for a particular event, they made the decision—after some serious discussion—to allow Joyce to join.
She remained part of the band until her death in 1985.
Other Recollections of Lockerley Band
Lockerley Band's Beginnings
An old drum from the bandroom bore the words "Lockerley Band Established 1880," serving as a nostalgic reminder of its
long-standing history.
David Moody (the Elder)
David Moody, affectionately known as "the elder," was a cornerstone of Lockerley Band. He lived across from the King’s
Arms in Lockerley and visited the bandroom daily to examine the music. A true multi-instrumentalist, he played all the
instruments in the band, favoring the cornet and the E flat bass.
During World War I, David served in an army band stationed in the UK, playing music during long marches of eight miles
in the morning and another eight miles in the afternoon—a task he much preferred to cooking duties. Later, he became a
market gardener near Carter’s Clay and worked at the Dean ammunition dump during World War II. David’s legacy in the
band continued through his son, also named David, who became a member as well.
Conductors and Contest Memories
A. Halestrap: Guest conductor for the contest on 13th July 1946.
D. Judd: Guest conductor for the contest on 16th June 1962, hailing from Shaftesbury Town Band. Judd, a farmer from
Sixpenny Handley, brought a rustic charm to the occasion.
The Bandroom and Squatters' Rights
At one point, before John Wilkins became bandmaster, the vicarage—where the bandroom was located—was set to be sold, and
the band was given just one month’s notice to vacate. David Moody (the elder) was the bandmaster at the time. Although the band
had always performed for the village fete free of charge and paid no rent, Joyce (likely a band member or supporter) argued they
had squatters’ rights after occupying the space for over 25 years. Ultimately, the church transferred the room to the Parish Council
with the agreement that the band could continue using it rent-free.
A Costume Mishap
At a concert held at Lockerley Memorial Hall in the late 1970s, the band decided to incorporate costumes. John Wilkins,
determined to add flair, chose a Turkish outfit. Ignoring his wife Mary’s advice on the impracticality of his choice, John
crafted the outfit himself using sheer red material and a homemade fez. When the stage lights illuminated the flimsy
costume during his entrance, the audience erupted in laughter—it revealed far more than intended!
A Tragic Passing and Memorable Moments
Ernie Sillence, a relative of Charlie Sillence, passed away in the bandroom while playing The Acrobat by Greenwood on
the trombone, under John Wilkins' direction. Later, Charlie Sillence, a solo cornet player, suffered a stroke in the 1980s.
Lockerley Silver Bands Contest results from 1899 - 1971 can be viewed here
Saturday 9th May West Tytherley Fete 12pm – 3.30pm TBC
(The Village, West Tytherley SP5 1NF)
Saturday 30th May West Dean Village fete 12.30pm - 4 pm TBC
(The Recreation Ground, Nr Salisbury, West Dean, Wiltshire, SP5 1JQ)
Saturday 20th June Sparsholt Fete TBC
Woodman Lane, Winchester SO21 2NR
Sunday September Romsey Bandstand 2pm – 4pm TBC
The Meads 41, Romsey SO51 8HB
Friday 4th December 6.15 - 7.15pmThe Black Horse, TBC
West Tytherley
Friday 11
th
December Carols Nether wallop 7pm TBC
The Five Bells Nether Wallop, Stockbridge SO20 8HA
Saturday 12th 6.15 pm Alderbury Carols TBC
Rectory Rd SP5 3AD
SP5 1NF
For any inquiries, please feel free to
email
us or contact us by telephone:
George: Tel. 02380 282517
Jo: Tel. 07906 242383
Email: info@lockerleysilverband.co.uk
Location of Band Hall:
What3Words: drum.pony.nosedive
The Parish Rooms, Romsey Road, Lockerley, Hampshire, SO51 0JF
(Please note: No mail should be sent to this address.)
For more information, visit our Facebook Page.