Other Recollections An old drum which used to be in the bandroom had words painted on it saying that Lockerley Band was established in 1880. David Moody (the elder) lived opposite the King’s Arms in Lockerley and visited the bandroom every day to look at the music. He played all the instruments in Lockerley Band, especially the cornet, and played the E flat bass. He was in an army band in WW1 (based in the UK somewhere) and played for long marches - 8 miles in the morning and 8 miles in the afternoon, which was preferable to doing cooking duties. David was a market gardener near Carter’s Clay. He worker at the Dean ammunition dump in WW2. He had a son, also called David, who played in Lockerley Band too. The conductor of the 13/07/46 contest A. Halestrap just came for that occasion. D. Judd of the 16/06/62 contest was a guest conductor from Shaftesbury Town Band. He was an old farmer from Sixpenny Handley. At some point (before John was bandmaster) the vicarage was to be sold and the band got one month’s notice to leave the bandroom. David Moody (the elder) was the bandmaster The band had always played for the village fete for free, but hadn’t paid any rent. Joyce said that the band had squatters’ rights as they had been there for over 25 years. The church gave the room to the Parish Council with the understanding that the band could continue rent free. At one concert, held at Lockerley Memorial Hall in the late 1970s, costume was required. John Wilkins wanted to dress up in a Turkish outfit and was advised by his wife Mary (who was a dress maker) that the red sheer material he planned to make into an exotic robe could not simply be put together quickly. John persevered and decided to make it himself with the use of the sewing machine, adding a home made fez to complete the look. At the concert John changed in the kitchen, removing his trousers and putting on the exotic costume before walking on to conduct. The audience erupted into gales of laughter as the stage lighting shone straight through the flimsy material and revealed more than John had bargained for! Ernie Sillence (some relative of Charlie) died in the bandroom while playing The Acrobat (Greenwood) on the trombone. John Wilkins was conducting. Charlie Sillence (solo cornet, not M.D.) had a stroke (roughly in the 1980s). Conductor Chronology Since 1978 H. Stockwell finished in around 1978. David Moody (the elder who was Edwin’s son) took over and conducted from about 1978-1984. Joe Allan conducted for about one year in around 1985. John Wilkins took over as M.D. in about 1986 and continued until about 2008. Richard Taylor took over in around 2008.