*
banner

Downton Band

Conductor: Paul Williams
Downton Memorial Hall
Sunday 11th November

The Downton Band, in association with the Downton Branch of the Royal British Legion marked the centenary of the end of the First World War with this thoughtfully presented concert featuring music from composers who fought in the conflict.

It included the beautiful pastoral ‘The Banks of Green Willow’ by George Butterworth who lost his life on the Somme, as well as from Maurice Ravel who commemorated his fallen comrades in his piano work ‘Le Tombeau de Couperin’.

Honoured

Also honoured were the many Downton villagers who served, including members of the 1914 band who left the picturesque village to fight all over the world.

It saw solo euphonium Andy Ashcroft play ‘La Belle Americaine’ in honour of former incumbent William H Harrington who fought as far as Gaza and Jerusalem before being wounded and sent home. 

23 year old tenor horn player Ralph Bundy, who fell on the Somme, was remembered with ‘All in the April Evening’, whilst principal cornet Richard Plaskett, gave an emotional rendition of Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’ in memory of Harry Winton, a cornet player who was killed at Gallipoli.

23 year old tenor horn player Ralph Bundy, who fell on the Somme, was remembered with ‘All in the April Evening’, whilst principal cornet Richard Plaskett, gave an emotional rendition of Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’ in memory of Harry Winton, a cornet player who was killed at Gallipoli.

Principal cornet

The band also honoured their former principal cornet William ‘Churby’ Bundy who was twice hospitalised - and who was awarded the Wiltshire Regiment’s Silver Bugle and the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

The evening was concluded with a presentation by the Royal British Legion to the band’s current principal cornet Richard Plaskett for 30 years of service performing the 'Last Post' on Armistice Day.

Paul Williams

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 22 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL51 7JY


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Saffron Hall

Wednesday 27 August • Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4UH


Uckfield Concert Brass - Eastbourne Bandstand 1812 Concert

Wednesday 27 August • Eastbourne Bandstand, Lower Grand Parade, Eastbourne. BN21 3AD


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 29 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL51 7JY


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

August 24 • Principal Cornet. Due to planned retirement. Own band room (no shifting gear between rehearsals), S75 3RF, less than 5 mins fromJ37 M1. Yamaha Zeno cornet for your use. Regular 20+ every rehearsal. Monday & Thursdays 1930-2130. MD GEOF BENSON. .


wantage silver band

August 22 • Wantage Community Brass (non-competitive) are looking to recruit a new Musical Director. The group is unique in that the average age is almost certainly around 70! They rehearse on Tue from 4pm and Thu from 7pm (both times flexible depending on person).


Lydbrook Band

August 20 • Bass Trombone


Rob Nesbitt

BSc, PG Cert. Ed.
Cartoonist , illustrator, writer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd