News
80th Anniversary Concert press release – 20th June 2026
Patcham Silver Band has celebrated its 80th anniversary, marking eight decades at the heart of the Brighton community with a special concert bringing together generations of local musicians.
Click here for gallery of photographs from the event
The band – a group of more than 25 amateur brass players – includes generations of families in the area, and was formed in 1946 as Patcham Parish Church Voluntary Aid Corps Silver Band. More than 4,000 rehearsals later, the band is still going strong.
These days, they think of themselves as Brighton’s second biggest ‘wind power’ installation – beaten only by the turbines off the coast of their hometown.
Concert performers included Barbara Deane, the band’s former Musical Director in the 1980s, who recently celebrated her 50th year with the band.
Three of the players featured in the commemorative photo from the band’s 40th anniversary in 1986 are still playing with the band at its 80th.
The band also nurtures the next generation through a dedicated Youth Band, featuring more than 20 children and adults learning to play – many of them taught from scratch through the band from as young as five.
Sian Berry MP, whose Brighton Pavilion constituency includes Patcham, was the guest of honour at the event.
Sian Berry said:
“Congratulations to Patcham Silver Band on this wonderful milestone. The work you do to bring brass music to Brighton and invest in young people in our city is a credit to us all.”
“To have individual players celebrating more than half a century of music making with the band, and generations of families playing together, is testament to the sense of community you’ve created.”
Over the decades, the band has seen players becoming parents and grandparents, and even a love story of its own. David and Luella Bubloz met through the band in 1989 and were married in 2002. Naturally, the band played at their wedding.
James Benka-Coker, Patcham Silver Band’s Musical Director since 2007, said:
“It’s a real pleasure to bring brass music to Brighton by conducting such a lovely group of players. Banding creates a strong sense of community, and the warmth of the sound lifts the spirit on the bluest of days. We play a range of music from traditional marches to pop hits and show tunes, and love nothing more than entertaining the people of Brighton.”
Sandra Clinton, Patcham Youth Band’s Musical Director, said:
“I’m so proud of the children we have in the Youth Band, and the opportunity we can give to them to learn to play. Music is a lifelong gift, and no matter how far these young people go they will be able to connect with others, as well as have a home here.”
Both bands performed at the anniversary concert.
The Youth Band played tunes from each of the band’s decades, from Glen Miller to the Beatles and crowd favourites such as YMCA.
The senior band told the story of Patcham Silver Band through the music of the 1996 film Brassed Off. Pieces included traditional marches and hymns to reflect the traditions of brass banding, alongside well-known classics such as the finale from the William Tell overture, and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance.
Patcham Silver Band performs regularly across Brighton and East Sussex, at bandstands, community fairs, and Christmas events. Players of brass instruments – including cornets, trombones, tubas – are always welcome at rehearsals on Fridays at Patcham Junior School.
The band will next perform at Brighton Bandstand on Sunday 28 June at 1.30pm as part of Brighton Armed Forces Day.
80th Birthday Celebrations 2026
Patcham Silver Band marks its 80th anniversary in 2026, and we’re celebrating with a full year of music, memories and community events.
Our programme includes a special summer concert on Saturday 20 June, featuring photos and music spanning eight decades; a standout appearance at the Heckington Show, the largest village show in England during the weekend of the 25th July; and a reunion party on Sunday 13 September for past and present band members, supporters and families. This is in addition to our regular performances on bandstands and at local fetes throughout the summer. Check out where to find us on the hear us page.
We can’t wait to share this milestone year with you and hope you’ll join us at these anniversary events.
Christmas 2025
This year marked our busiest and most joyful Christmas season yet, with both our youth and senior bands performing across the local community and coming together for our own festive concert on 20 December.
Our celebrations began on the weekend of 5 December, as the youth band braved wind and rain to play at Light Up the Mile in Patcham, while the senior band performed at Steyning’s Christmas festivities. We were also delighted to take part in the Elim Church Winter Wonderland.
The following week, a small ensemble from the senior band played for residents and families at Croft Meadow in Steyning, entertained Brighton supporters at Broadfield Stadium, and performed at a private event at The Dyke Golf Club.
A highlight of the season was joining the Winter Solstice celebrations at One Garden, Brighton for the first time, where both bands performed for enthusiastic shoppers enjoying the Christmas market atmosphere.
Our festive programme concluded with our Christmas concert at BHASVIC, featuring both bands and guest vocalists. With music ranging from Gaudete to Merry Christmas Everyone, it was an evening full of festive cheer. We finished the season with a final performance at Hollingbury Foodbank on Christmas Eve.
We wish all our band members, supporters, and community partners a very Merry Christmas and we look forward to entertaining you in 2026
November 2025: Remembrance Sunday – Honouring and Supporting Our Communities
On Sunday 9th November, members of the band were privileged to support Remembrance services across both our local area and the wider community. Taking part in these acts of commemoration is always a profound honour, and we were proud to contribute to events that bring people together in reflection and gratitude.
Our musicians were involved in services across Sussex:
- Brendan and Evan played the Last Post at All Saints Church, Patcham.
- Charlie, Martin and Sandra joined Bram at the War Memorial in Brighton alongside the Salvation Army.
- David performed at Bishop Hannington Church, Hove.
- Yves played the Last Post at All Saints Church, Findon.
- Clare joined Sussex Brass in Hastings.
- James undertook a double shift, playing with Mid Sussex Brass Band in Burgess Hill and later in Storrington.
Each of these contributions helped ensure that communities across the region were able to mark Remembrance Sunday with fitting music and solemn reflection.
We are grateful to all our members who gave their time and talent to support these important services.
David playing at Bishop Hannington:
June 2024: Woodcraft Fundraising Concert
The Band were invited to perform a concert in the Beeding & Bramber Village Hall on Saturday 8th June 2024. The concert was organised by the Steyning Woodcraft Folk, who were raising funds towards their Kenyan Exchange Project. The band were a few players down on the night due to a combination of Golden Wedding Anniversaries, Covid and such like, but the show must go on as they say and we are very grateful to our guest helpers for their support on the night. Many of the Band Soloists were in action on the night, including :-
- Luella Bubloz on the euphonium with Music of the Night.
- Vicki Windslow on Tenor Horn with Alfie
- Michael, Cliff, Teresa and Barbara on trombones and flugel horn with I Will Follow Him
- Dave Short on cornet with Share My Yoke.
Overall, a lovely evening of music enjoyed by all those present, with £291.75 raised for a good cause.