Lockerley Silver Band

A friendly and welcoming Hampshire village Band

History

There is no official history of the band and what is shown here has been painstakingly compiled by Richard Taylor. If you know anything at all about the history of Lockerley Band, we would love to hear from you so please do contact us.

1880 - Band Established:

The band was established in 1880 as a Temperance Band and the original conductor was a Mr. Issac Pritchard. He was succeeded by is son Caleb Pritchard who died sometime during the Great War in 1914 -1918. The baton was then taken over by Edwin Moody, who was instrumental in getting the band to joint the Wessex Association and so entering the competition field.

1926 - Band Success

The band's first success was at a contest in Romsey promoted by the Rev. E.F.M. Vokes in conjunction with the 1926 Carnival. They were awarded first prize and solo cornet medal (D Moody) and euphonium medal (L. Pritchard). Encouraged by this the band went on to win quite a number of trophies in the late 1920's and 1930's, including competing successfully two years running at the Amesbury Carnival Contest.

1935 - Band Leader Change

Edwin Moody led the band until the mid 1930's when ill health caused his retirement and his son Dave Moody was appointed conductor. Dave continued in this capacity until 1949.

1949 - H.J. Stockwell takes up the batton

in !949 the band were fortunate to be able to obtain the services of Mr H.J. Stockwell of Swathling as the musical director. In 1950 he led the band to win the Wessex Brass Bands Open Championship. Another of Stockwell's great achievements was taking the band from Section 'C' to Section 'A' of the Wessex Brass Band Association in the space of 1 year. Mr Stockwell continued as MD of the band for almost 30 years, leading them to numerous contest success during that time. He also became a member of the Executive Committee of the National Brass Band Contesting Council of Great Britain and Hon. Secretary of the Wessex Brass Band Association.

1976 - H.J. Stockwell's Silver Jubilee

Mr Stockwell was honoured for 25 years service with the band at a presentation during Dave Moody's golden wedding party.

The following are some interesting press cuttings relating to the band and some of its key players:

Lockerley prize for the Band.
Circa 1948 ?

The Lockerley Silver Band entered in the Open Section of the Wessex Brass Band Contest at Poole on Saturday, won this, the premier event of the day with "Three Songs Without Words," played under the conductorship of Mr. H.J. Sockwell, and carried off the "Sunnyside Challenge Trophy." They were judged third in the March Contest. The solo cornet medal was won by C. Sillence, with a solo horn medal by W. Mills.

Bands successes in Wessex Contest.
Circa 1948 ?

Both of the district bands did well at the Wessex Brass Band Association,s winter festival at the Winter Gardens, Bournemouth last Saturday.

The Lockerley and District Band, conducted by Mr H.J. Stockwell, won the first prize for their playing of the selection, "Irish Melodies." They also won two individual awards. Bandsman Charlie Sillence won the solo cornet award, and Bandsman Ron Trowbridge received the award for solo flugel. The band was competing in Section 3.

The Michelmersh Band, conducted by Mr. J.O. Yard, were also competing in Section 3, and they were placed third for their playing of the selection. They were awarded first prize for their playing of the march, "Sons of the Brave."

Lockerley Band completes double at Fordingbridge.
Circa 1949

Competing in Section C at Fordingbridge on Saturday, the Band once again won first prizes for the March and Selection, and were awarded the Mayers and Harrison (Manchester) Challenge Trophy for the second year in succession. All medals for soloists were captured by the Band, the cornet medal going to Charlie Sillence, the euphonium medal going to Jimmy Legg and the flugel to Harry Poulton.

The contest was promoted by the Fordingbridge British Legion and held in the Memorial Sports Ground. The Band was again coached and conducted by Mr H.J. Stockwell, of Swaythling, who was presented with a gold bronzed music stand as the conductor of the winning band in this section. This completes the Band's contest season for this year, and Mr Stockwell is to be congratulated on his success, for since taking over 16 months ago the Band has won 7 first prizes, 3 seconds, and 2 thirds, and 11 medals have been won by the Band's soloists. The adjudicator for this contest was Mr Cyril Yorath, B.B.C.M., of Shropshire and the awards were presented by Lord Manners, M.C.

Success for Lockerley Band.
Circa 1950 ?

The Lockerley and District Silver Band, in the "B" Section of the Wessex Brass Band Association, won the Association Cup in the selection contest at the winter festival at Chippenham. They were awarded second prize in the Hymn-playing contest. Their solo cornet and euphonium players (Messrs. C. Sillence and D. J. Moody) gained silver medals.

By their success the band is promoted to the "A" Section. Their conductor was Mr H.J. Stockwell, of Southampton, the chairman of the Association. In addition to the Mayor of Chippenham (Councilor A.J.F. Whitrow), who presented the prizes, the Mayoress of Chippenham and the Mayor and Mayoress of Calne attended a massed band concert in the evening. They were introduced by the Association President (Mr. G.J. Mitchell of Woodfalls).

Lockerley District's Champion Bandsmen.
Circa 1951.

Since Mr. H.J. Stockwell took over as conductor of the Lockerley and District Silver Band in May, 1949, it has won 15 prizes at eight contests, with over a dozen medals for soloists.

In the Wessex Brass Band Association these bandsmen jumped from Section 'C ' to Section 'A' of the Festival of Britain Contest at the Deanery Grounds, Southampton, and at Woodfalls early in June. At the beginning of this year they were presented with a £50 cheque by Major Cadbury to go towards the purchase of new instruments, following their success at Chippenham.

Lockerley Bandsmen Seek Fresh Laurels
Circa mid 1960 ?

Among Lockerley Bandsmen busy rehearsing for the Wessex Brass Band Festival at Bournemouth next weekend are two with 100 years service between them, the Bandmaster (Mr. Dave Moody), who was recently honoured by being made a Vice-President of the Wessex Association, and his successor as the band’s lead solo cornet, Mr. Charlie Sillence. They are pictured with the trophies won in the contest at Mere last summer, when the Band, under the conductorship of Mr. Stockwell, gained first prizes for programme and hymn tune, and Mr. Sillence won his eleventh medal for solo cornet.

Lockerley and District Silver Band is something of an institution in the area having been established as long ago as 1880, and, for Mr. Sillence and Mr. Moody at any rate, it is virtually a way of life. Both have been members and playing in its ranks since the age of ten and gained many individual medals as well as sharing in its competition successes over the years.

The band’s original conductor 90 years ago, was Issac Pritchard and he was followed by his son Caleb Pritchard who died between 1914-18. The baton was then taken over by Mr. Edwin Moody (Mr. Dave Moody’s father) and he was instrumental in getting the Band to join the Wessex Association and so enter the competition field. The band’s first success was at a contest at Romsey promoted by the late Rev. E.F.M. Vokes in conjunction with the 1926 Carnival. They were awarded first prize and solo cornet medal (D. Moody) and euphonium medal (L. Pritchard). Encouraged by this, the band went on to win quite a number of trophies in the early 1930’s and competed successfully two years running at the Amesbury Carnival Contest.

Mr. Edwin Moody led the band until the mid-thirties when ill-health caused his retirement, and his son, the present Mr. Dave Moody, was appointed conductor. He continued in this capacity until 1948, when they were fortunate to be able to obtain the services of Mr. H. J. Stockwell, of Swathling, as musical director. Mr. Stockwell has conducted the band at quite a number of contests, ranging from Bath to Brighton, with a fair amount of success for a village band, and they are now rehearsing Sinfonietta Pastorale by Henry Geehl for the Wessex Festival at the Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, on Saturday, December 5th.

Unique Record?

Mr. Dave Moody, who is at present Bandmaster to the Musical Director, has a record of long service perhaps unequaled in Brass Band circles. Aged 75, he has been a bandsman for 65 years, and is a life honorary member of the band as well as a Vice-President of the Wessex Brass Band Association.

He was born at Newtown, and became a member of Lockerley Band at the age of ten, learning to play a cornet, taught by his father (the late Mr. Edwin Moody). Mr. Moody stayed with the band until the outbreak of war in 1914 when he joined the Army and sailed for India with E Company (Romsey Company) of the 1st/5th Battalion Hampshire Regiment. He played a small part in forming the Regimental Band in India and after moving to Burma in 1918, returned to India in 1919 to take part in the Afghan Campaign on the North West Frontier. Returning to England in November of the same year, he resumed his place in the band under his father and took command after the latter’s retirement. As well as being Bandmaster he has played various instruments as required and is a medalist on cornet, flugelhorn and euphonium. His son (young Dave) 44, is a solo euphonium in the band and is also a medallist.

Walked To Practice

Mr. Charlie Sillence was born at Carters Clay in 1915 and taught to play the cornet at the age of nine by his father, Mr. Walter Sillence. He joined the Lockerley Band in 1925 and was tutored from then on by Mr. David Moody. Such was his keenness that he walked from Newtown to Lockerley for practice until his parents could afford a bicycle for him. The young bandsman soon made progress. He attended the first Wessex Summer contest at Downton in 1925 and the contest at Romsey the following year, playing in every contest since. Like Mr. Moody, his service was interrupted by war. He joined the Army in January, 1942, and served as a P.T. and Aircraft Recognition instructor with an Anti-Aircraft Battery in Malta, returning to England in November, 1945. He carried on with the band as solo cornet under Mr. Moody and took over lead solo cornet from him in 1948. In all he has won eleven medals for solo cornet, four of these in four consecutive contests in one year.

As well as playing , Mr. Sillence has done much on the administrative side to keep the band going. He has been its Hon. Secretary since 1950. and also Treasurer since 1956. He is also solo cornet with Romsey Methodist Circuit Band and trumpeter for Wellow and Nomandsland British Legion. And as if that is not enough, he has also found time to act as a bellringer at St. Leonard’s Sherfield English. for 42 years.

Practices are held every Friday evening at 8pm in the Parish Room, Romsey Road, Lockerley. Next to St John The Baptist Church (click here for directions). New and visiting players are always most welcome.

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