David Chappell began his banding career in 1946 as a ten year old in the junior band at Hove Salvation Army. His first contact with the band's founder, Bert Osgood also occurred at that time and continued until he reached the age of eighteen when he left the area to join the Cambrai Staff Band of the Royal Tank Regiment.

He had a variety of clerical and administrative jobs after discharge from the army both in the Brighton area and in Exeter where he lived for four years and played in the Lympstone Band until his return to Brighton in 1970. Here he resumed his association with Mr Osgood who was then conductor of Patcham Band.

In 1972 Mr Osgood asked him if he would like to help with Hangleton Band and it was from this time that he became involved with the band. David helped out wherever he could, training of beginners on a Saturday morning, assistant conductor to Mr Osgood and played cornet, flugel horn, tenor horn or baritone depending upon the needs at the time. As the band had no secretary he became more involved with the secretarial side of things. He organised the arrangements for bands visiting from Denmark and Norway and also Hangleton's visits to Denmark, Scotland and Norway. He was successful in obtaining funding from The British Council for the Denmark and Norway trips. It was after the return from Norway in 1978 that Mr Osgood died and David was asked if he would take over the band. He agreed to do this on the understanding that the band should have a formal constitution, officers and a committee.

Work commitments eventually meant David was unable to carry on as conductor, and he stood down in December 1980. He did not however sever his connection with the band and came back as a player.

With his move away from the area he remained a supporter and followed the band from a distance and has from time to time been able to give financial assistance for special projects. Over the years he has actively supported the local association SCABA and is now one of its vice presidents. In 1996 he was presented with a certificate in recognition of 50 years service to the brass band movement.

David was invited to be Honorary Band President at Hangleton's 40th Anniversary Concert held in July 2005.

A message from David