Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    Z982
  • Title
    Sandye Silver Band
  • Date free text
    1967 - 1998
  • Production date
    From: 1967 To: 1998
  • Admin/biog history
    A comprehensive history of Sandye Silver Band, including a list of band engagements from 1971 to 1988, has been written by Mr. Gaylor and forms Z982/7. The following is a summary: The origins of the Band go back to 10 March 1962, when a quartet of musicians at Sandye Place School played for morning assembly under the direction of the music teacher, Peter Kneale.Within a year this grew into Sandye Place School Band, consisting of pupils and teachers. In 1966, when several members of the Band left school, Peter Kneale formed the Sandye Place School Band. In October 1967 the first committee was formed to run the band and in July of the following year the name was changed to Sandye Silver Band. In July 1969 the Band left the further education system and became a fully independent self-supporting organisation. Also in 1969 the Band affiliated to the London and Home Counties Brass Band Association so that band contests could be entered.. In 1971, after only two years of competition, the Band qualified for the finals of the National Brass Band Championship (Fourth Section), and finished in eleventh position. On two occasions, in 1968 and 1975, the Band won the Brass Band Class at the Bedfordshire Music Festival. During the early 1970s the Band performed many engagements, both at nearby and distant venues. In 1973 the founder Peter Kneale left and was succeeded by Duncan Wells of Dunstable, a player with Hendon Band. The number of players declined, and with them the number of engagements, but the 1980 season proved to be the busiest to date. In the previous April the Band moved from its brithplace at Sandye Place School to the new Sandy Upper School where rehearsal facilities were more convenient. During the 1980s the Band enjoyed continued success, but following the loss of number of key members in 1989 the decision was made to suspend activities and put all equipment and assets into storage. The Band Trustees continued to meet, however, but at the seventh annual general meeting, in March 1997, it was decided that there was no realistic chance of the Band reforming and that the remaining assets should be sold and the Band dissolved At the final AGM, on 16 March 1998, it was reported that the sale of the instruments and music had raised 3,065. At the same meeting it was decided to lodge the Band's records with the Record Office.
  • Archival history
    Acc.7953 Records of Sandye Silver Band donated by the Band c/o Mr. Geoffrey Gaylor, 11, High Street, Great Barford MK44 3LB on 30 March 1998.
  • Level of description
    fonds
Hierarchy browser