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