*
banner

Stylish 70th anniversary celebrations for Vectis Brass

Vectic Brass certainly enjoyed their recent 70th anniversary musical celebrations in style.

Vectis Brass
  Vectis Brass enjoyed a great day of anniversary celebrations on the Isle of Wight

The sun certainly shone on Vectis Brass as they undertook a recent tour of their home island of the Isle of Wight to celebrate their 70th anniversary.

The band was originally formed as the Ryde ATC Band, later becoming Ryde Borough Band, and has enjoyed a varied history including a performance for the Queen in 1965 and on the television series 'The Duchess of Duke Street' in 1976.

They changed their name to Vectis Brass in 1997 to reflect its islandwide membership.

Style

The band made the tour in style — aboard a 1939 open top bus taking them to their performance at the Isle of Wight Motor Show & Godshill Old Smithy. They also stopped off to play 'Happy Birthday' at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, which was celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Visitors at the Vernon Cottage Tea Gardens in Shanklin were able to enjoy their refreshments with the band's musical accompaniment before they headed to perform on Ryde Esplanade.

This was of historical significance as it was close to the site of the old bandstand where Vectis Brass performed every Sunday during the 1970s and 1980s.

It was a glorious day to celebrate the band's history and promote our future. We received many compliments from the public and look forward to the next 70 years of banding on the Isle of WightMD, Jay Taylor

Promote next 70 years

Music played on the day included their signature march 'Vectis Isle', written by Alan Ingram, and 'Zambezi' arranged by Band President, Derek Broadbent.

MD Jay Taylor said: "It was a glorious day to celebrate the band's history and promote our future. We received many compliments from the public and look forward to the next 70 years of banding on the Isle of Wight."

Photo credit: Trevor Whelen

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


dobcross

Result: 2025 National Championships of Great Britain — Third Section

September 14 • Dobcross Silver strikes royal gold as they claim the Third Section honours.


arbroath

Result: 2025 National Championships of Great Britain — Fourth Section

September 14 • The Fourth Section National title heads to Scotland with Arbroath & Carnoustie.


unite

Result: 2025 National Championships of Great Britain — First Section

September 13 • Unite the Union claims 'Checkmate' over their rivals to claim the First Section National title.


south Yorkshire Police

Result: 2025 National Championships of Great Britain — Second Section

September 13 • South Yorkshire Police claim the first title of the Cheltenham weekend.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Audley Brass

September 14 • Audley Brass (First Section National Finalists 2025) are seeking a first class PRINCIPAL EUPHONIUM. We have some very exciting events coming up including 5 epic beer festival nights and Wychavon Festival of Brass entertainment contest.


Longridge Band

September 13 • Longridge Band invite applications for a SOPRANO CORNET player. We are a friendly, committed band, who enjoy a good balance of concerts and contests throughout the year.


Chinnor Silver

September 11 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (15th) and we would welcome any players who fancy joining us for a relaxed and friendly blow.. All abilities are welcome and meeting with us has no impact on your main band.. Cake and coffee included FREE


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd