
HISTORY
In 2016, we kicked of the year with a third place finish at the Third Section Regional Contest and debuted our new polo shirts at Rottingdean Lido. This year is also remembered for the passing of David Chappell who was the band’s second Musical Director and an honorary vice president. May he rest in peace.
In 2017 the Senior Band spent our August bank holiday as guests of United Brass (Leuven, Belgium) while the Youth Band celebrated World Brass day with recordings of La Mourisque and Walking on Sunshine.
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In 2018, a successful Easter fair included a Youth Band appearance in good weather, unlike the Senior Band who

suffered a sudden torrential downpour part way through an open air concert in Steyning later in the year.
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Both the Senior & Youth Bands competed at the 2020 SCABA (Brighton) contest, just before the COVID lockdown was imposed. In May, during the lockdowns, the Senior Band joined with United Brass (Belgium) and Brass Band B10 (Germany) in a virtual performance of Song for the Frontline. In August both bands created virtual performances of Africa, It's a Beautiful Day, HYB Virtual Concert. The band used a £5000 bequest to purchase new timpani.
After a one year COVID break, both bands resumed weekly (socially distanced) rehearsals in May. The YB (50+ members and learners) rehearsed outside and completed their first post COVID concert at St Peters Church. The Senior Band rehearsed inside in “cool” winds as the doors and windows were left open. The 10-piece small group won two festivals lead by Chris Nonoo.
After 55 years of contesting, the Senior Band won first place at the 2022 Fourth Section Regionals held in Stevenage (“Argos”), having won 2nd place in 1982, 2008 and 2011. Six months later, the band were placed a respectable 8th of the 16 contest performances at the Cheltenham National Finals, and gained promotion to the third section. The Youth Band spend four days of August in Belgium, giving four concerts that culminated at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. The 10-piece made a TV appearance to close the BBC1 Repair Shop Christmas edition.
The Youth Band created a YouTube video Walking On Sunshine for Children in Need 2023. The Senior Band was finally able to give a public performance of the 2020 Regionals test piece “Neverland” at a joint concert with Brighton Welsh Male Voice choir. The December carolling events increased and was the busiest in the band’s history. The Senior Band maintained its links with Europe by welcoming players from both Sweden 🇸🇪 and Switzerland 🇨🇠for extended visits to the UK.
The Youth Band started 2025 with two joint concerts, with Kings College London Brass Band visiting Hove and Shepway Brass Academy in Folkstone. The Senior Band achieved a well earned 6/17 at the London and Southern Counties.
2025 is also the Band's 60th Anniversary! We held a commemorative concert featuring both the Youth and Senior Bands, as well as some returning players and a combined performance of Hootenanny to conclude the concert.