Patcham Silver Band was first formed in January 1946 as the Patcham Parish Church Voluntary Aid Corps Silver Band by the vicar of All Saints Church, Steven Ensor. At that time, very few of the original members could actually read music and so the fingering had to written over each note in those early days.

By the end of 1947, the band had become well established and its musical leadership was taken over by Mr Weston (the grandfather of Paul Weston who was also to become a conductor of the band later on in its life). Under Mr Weston’s direction, the Band continued to grow and to improve its musical expertise. By 1958, under the musical direction of Bill Roberts, the Band had improved sufficiently to take part in local band contests and enjoyed some early successes.

In 1962, the Band was taken over by Bert Osgood, who gave fresh inspiration to the Band and, in consequence, its numbers swelled and the musical standard further improved. In 1964 the Band’s name changed to the Patcham Parish Band and then in 1966 to the Patcham Parish Church Band, which remained its title right up to 1992.

In 1970, Sammy Gordon took the Band. Although the Band’s numbers were smaller during this period, it nevertheless maintained a good standard of music and continued to fare well at local band contests.

Sammy Gordon’s forced retirement due to ill health in 1976 came suddenly on the Band and a young member, Barbara Deane, took on the task of keeping the band together during this difficult period. Barbara Deane became the new musical director and, despite a small membership, the original enthusiasm still remained. Under Barbara’s directorship, the Band was restored to its former strength and returned to contest playing standard as a full-sized twenty-five piece silver band.

In 1987, Barbara retired from conducting and was succeeded first by Paul Weston, who in turn relinquished the leadership to Christine Nonoo, both of whom continued to improve the Band.

In 1992, in consultation with All Saints Parish Church, the Band’s name was changed to Patcham Silver Band which remains its name today. During this time also, the musical leadership passed first to David Barringer of the Coldstream Guards and then to David Allen, who was himself a former member of the Band.

In 1994 the band engaged Richard A. Baker as musical director and a youth band of approximately twenty members was established that continues today. The main band rose to the second section in the local contest arena. The band recorded its first compact disc at the beginning of 2002 featuring both the adult and youth bands.

Barbara Deane again took leadership of the adult band in September 2002 after Richard moved on due to work commitments. Also at this time, Sandra Clinton took up the baton as Youth Band Conductor. Sandra has since brought a large number of young players up to performing standard several times over, not only thrilling concert audiences but winning awards at the local ensemble contests.

James Benka-Coker became the musical director of the band in January 2007. Under his direction the band has gone from strength to strength. We have performed many of his own arrangements, had success at the Quartets and Ensembles contest and successfully introduced our most able youth band players to performing with the adult band.

The Band also returned to main contesting in 2009, taking part in SCABA’s Spring & Autumn contests.

In 2010 the Band won 2nd Prize at the SCABA Spring Contest playing A Malvern Suite and also won the prize for the Best Cornet Section. In 2013, the Youth Band won the SCABA Ensemble Contest

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