4BR has been informed of the death of former Shipston Town Band conductor Peter Stevens, aged 88.

He and his wife Sylvia had recently moved to a care home near Cirencester to be near to their son Jon. The funeral service has been held.

Success

Peter joined Shipston in 1973 as a cornet player and went on to enjoy his playing for a number of years. Following the death of MD Bert Smith the band enjoyed further success under conductor Richard Nash, with Peter eventually becoming Resident Conductor.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Peter proved an extremely capable assistant leading the band to numerous contest successes in his own right including the Leamington Spa Contest in 1981 (above).

His ability as an arranger also proved invaluable. Their dual stewardship saw the band rise from an average Fourth Section Band to a highly capable Second Section outfit which the town could be proud of."

On retiring and moving to North Wales where he conducted the Abergynolwen Band he still returned to Shipston to enjoy hearing the band when he and his wife had the opportunity.