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Over the years various band members have recalled their memories of banding...

Bill Cooper was one of many who carry his instrument over his shoulder on his bicycle - even when the instrument was a large E-Flat Bass, and the cycle had solid tyres. Once he cycled from his home in Braishfield to work at Michelmersh Court, and then in the afternoon went on to Kings Somborne where the band were playing. "I got as far as the church and didn't know where to go, so I stopped and listened and heard the band playing - 'When the Moon Comes Over the Mountains', I think it was. It stuck in my memory for ever more how nice it sounded."

With the extra distance the band was travelling it was decided to hire Moores bus from Newtown, the first to run a regular service into Romsey, and it must have been quite an experience. When the driver wanted to change to a lower gear to tackle a steep hill, he had to stop the vehicle and put a block behind the wheels. Then the bandsmen had to get out and push

In 1934 and 1936 the band played contests at the old Crystal Palace. The second occasion is remembered by all who were there at the time as the conductor of the band playing before Michelmersh collapsed and died on the stage. It is said that his son picked up the baton and the band played on without a hesitation. It was soon after that the palace burned down.

Albert Head met his wife when the band played at a Braishfield flower show. Ron Morgan married on a Wednesday because the band had an engagement on the Bank Holiday Monday originally chosen, a loyalty equalled only perhaps by Frank Lucas who, in later years, returned early from honeymoon to play in a contest.

Playing for dancing on a warm summers evening at Grove Place, Nursling remained in Bill Coopers mind, while Harry Turner could not forget a visit to Andover - he was told the wrong place to catch the bus home and walked as far as Stockbridge before a brewery lorry gave him a lift. Two members missed the bus back from Somborne after over-indulging in the hospitality offered by the working mens club. Another, playing the drum, had his eyes on a girl in a Hedge End carnival procession and, following her, marched off in a completely different direction to the rest of the band. Then there was the day that Jack Pearce nearly missed an engagement because his false teeth, wrapped in newspaper and left on the stove, had been thrown out with the ashes.

Such incidents may have caused friction at the time but they are recalled with a smile now - an indication that playing in the band brought spirit, friendship and fun, as well as the pleasure of performing the music.

It still does today...