HISTORIC Haslemere Town Band, which was the first in Britain, formed in the early 1800s, has hit a low note and needs help or Surrey could lose one of the longest continuously surviving British brass bands,

More competent players are urgently needed to come forward to swell the diminishing ranks.

Renowned for being the first town band established in the country, its first engagement was playing at celebrations for Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1838.

The band’s current president Tony Waddell, is a great great grandson of Charles Bridger, one of its founders.

After the Second World War, the band went into decline but was held together by Denny Clement, who both conducted and played at rehearsals and engagements, which was not not easy as he also played trombone.

Maurice Wright became the musical director in 1978 and held the post for 14 years.

His wife June, decided she did not wish to be a ‘band widow’ and took up first the trombone and then the euphonium, moving later to flugel horn and finally baritone.

Both still play in the band with Peter Yarde, who is now the musical director.

With Haslemere twinned with Bernay, in France, and Horb-am-Neckar, in Germany, the band has developed an arrangement with the Horb Band to exchange visits every few years.

A popular fixture in the town band’s calendar is the annual concert, Sounding Brass, at St Christopher’s Church.

Mrs Wright said: “We used to have no need to ask players from other bands to help us out with our concerts, But we are now in the doldrums now and desperately hope that new people will join us soon, particularly competent cornet and trombone players.

“It would be sad to lose Haslemere’s very own brass band, as it is a well-known fact our band was the first one established in this country, playing its first engagement at celebrations for Queen Victoria’s coronation.

“We really need competent players who enjoy playing with like-minded people.

“I appeal to some of the members seen in the 1986 photograph – or their children – to come along and renew their acquaintance with the 14 or so of us who now make up the band. To field a complete team we need a line-up of 25 players.”

The band practises on Thursday evenings at the United Reformed Church, in Beacon Hill, from 7.45-9.45pm.

Mrs Wright is also appealing for a good turnout at the band’s first concert of the year at Haslemere Methodist Church, in Wey Hill, on Saturday, March 12, at 7.30pm, which will be conducted by David Wright.

The programme includes an euphonium duet, the famous ‘Flower Song’ from ‘Lakme’ by Delibes, ‘Georgia On My Mind’ by solo cornet Dave Sargeant and ‘If’, played by solo horn Bryony Dyer. Part of the proceeds will go to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.

• To join the band or come to a rehearsal call (01428) 651999 for more information.

To book tickets for next weekend’s performance call 01428 651549 or email [email protected]