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Dave Allin - 50 years a Band Member - 29th April 2010
In 1960, at the age of 14, Dave Allin went to Okehampton barber Jimmy Gale for a haircut - this turned out to be a life changing event. David said he would like to play the drums in Jimmy’s Dance Band. Jimmy told him to join the Excelsior Silver Band and learn music first - he is still in the Band 50 years later (and apparently still learning music).
David is one of the Band’s most loyal and respected members who has rarely missed an event or rehearsal. It is players like David who keep Brass Bands going. and in honour of his 50 years the Mayor of Okehampton, Councillor David Weekes, presented him with a commemorative tankard at the recent Spring Concert in the Charter Hall.
David’s wife Margaret was presented with a bouquet of flowers in recognition of her many years support and contribution to Band events. They were also both given tickets to see the Grimethorpe Colliery Band perform a concert at Plymouth.
Other Departures - Peter Stunell & Sophie Hood
Peter Stunell (ex Treasurer and Baritone player) has moved to Exeter .
Sophie Hood (Horn player) has gone to live in Germany to be with her fiancee Ollie - a drummer in the Wesselling Band that Excelsior have been twinned with for many years. No doubt Sophie and Ollie will return to Okehampton on future visits.
James Alexander & Edward Haskell
Congratualtions are due to James Alexander for passing his Grade 5 Music Theory examination with distinction and to Edward Haskell who has passed his Grade 2 Music examination.
James Alexander & Des Law
Michael Luxton Retires
After more than 15 years, Michael Luxton has retired from the Band. Michael has been a loyal member playing the Bass drum, marching up and down the hills of Okehampton and at parades and carnivals throughout Devon and Cornwall - he will be much missed and the Band wish Michael and Megan a happy retirement and hope to see them at future concerts.
Brixham Winter Parade 2009
On Saturday 12th December the Band took part in the Brixham Winter Parade for the 2nd time.
The band and parade entries assembled on the quay at Brixham in torrential rain, which luckily ceased just as the event started and then returned just after it finished.
The photograph, at left, of the illustrious band leader appeared in the local Torbay newspapers.
After 2 years of cancellation, due to heavy rain making the show ground impassable, the Okehampton Show finally took place in glorious summer weather.
The Band played to the thinning crowds towards the end of the show at 5 o’clock in the afternoon.
As can be seen from the photograph, the younger members of the band were well represented at the event.
Okehampton Show 2009
Alzheimers Society Presentation
This years spring concert, held at the Okehampton Charter Hall on Thursday 13th May 2009, was in aid of the Alzheimer's society.
Even though torrential rain over Okehampton that evening kept many people at home, enough money was raised from the event to enable the Band Treasurer Peter Stunell to present a cheque for £350 to Terry Robert, the Chairman of the Exeter Branch of the Alzheimer’s Society.