The history of Wantage Silver Band and its long standing connection to the local community has been displayed at their local Downland Museum

Opened by Wantage Mayor Councillor Dr Angela Dunford, it features photos and videos from the band's archives as well as memorabilia and up to date information about the current band organisation and its work.

Celebrate

The project started around a year ago after Band Trustee Sam Wyne opened a conversation with Museum Curator Suzie Tilbury and her colleagues who welcomed the idea of creating an exhibit to celebrate the band's history.

"It's been lovely to work alongside the band to produce this display,"Suzie told 4BR. "Wantage is very lucky to have such an excellent organisation as part of our community and it's great to be able to share its history, activities and achievements with our visitors."

Exhibit

Sam told 4BR: "Band members Margaret Hanlon, Ann Chadwick, Eileen Sykes and Gareth Coulson pulled everything together for the exhibit. This included photos, text, items, uniform and of course musical snippets which are played whilst people are viewing things."

Ann Chadwick added: "Creating the display was no mean feat, but the superb team at the Museum, headed by Suzie, patiently provided guidance, expertise and reassurance throughout the process, for which we are very grateful.

Suzie said that Wantage is lucky to have the Band, but we are so fortunate to have the Museum. It's been a pleasure!"