Patcham Silver Band has celebrated its 80th anniversary with a special concert that brought together generations of local musicians to mark eight decades at the heart of the Brighton community.

4,000 plus rehearsals later

The current band includes generations of families from the area and was formed in 1946 as Patcham Parish Church Voluntary Aid Corps Silver Band.

More than 4,000 rehearsals later, they are still going strong and neatly promote themselves as Brighton's second biggest 'wind power' installation — beaten only by the turbines off the coast of their hometown.

Concert performers for the event included Barbara Deane, their former Musical Director in the 1980s, who recently celebrated half a century being involved with the organisation.

In addition, three players who were part of the band's 40th anniversary in 1986 are still in the ranks, whilst the next generation is being secured through a dedicated Youth Band featuring more than 20 children and adult learners.

Sense of community

Sian Berry MP, whose Brighton Pavilion constituency includes Patcham, was the guest of honour at the event and added: "My congratulations to Patcham Silver Band on this wonderful milestone.

The work you do to bring brass music to Brighton and invest in young people in our city is testament to the sense of community you've created."

Lifts the spirit

Current MD, James Benka-Coker said: ""Banding creates a strong sense of community, and the warmth of the sound lifts the spirit on the bluest of days.

We play a range of music from traditional marches to pop hits and show tunes, and love nothing more than entertaining the people of Brighton."