A major contraction
Following a period during which the band lost a number of key players, we were pleased at the end of 2002 to welcome back Nigel Simmons to the post of Musical Director – together with a publicity campaign, helped by BBC Television South, we were able to increase the membership to a level where the band could once again accept engagements.
However, the membership once again dropped and for a lengthy period, the band were only able to survive with the help of our good friends in Lewes Glynde and Beddingham Band – thanks guys!
The latter part of 2005 saw the band numbers increasing once again – Nigel Simmons departed for the wilds of Ipswich and after another period under the baton of Andy Wooler, the band appointed Kevin Spencer as the new Musical Director. Unfortunately, Kevin stayed only a few months and the band was down to less than a dozen members.
During this period, we continued as a ten piece ensemble under the baton of Gordon McGhee to whom we are eternally grateful for keeping the band going through some very difficult times. But a lot has changed since then!
With the band close to folding, Steve McIntyre came along and revitalised the band, bringing contest success back as well as quality concerts. He was certainly the first MD of Uckfield Concert Brass to arrive onstage in a coffin!
Continue journey
