Diss U3A Report of February Meeting

At the February meeting David Cawdell, a former musician with the Band of the Irish Guards, told of his 60 year relationship with brass bands.

The next meeting of Diss U3A will be on March 7th at Diss United Reformed Church. The guest speaker will be Val Attenborough who will be giving a talk entitled “The Work Of A Magistrate”.  This meeting will be preceded by the AGM and will commence at 9.30am sharp.

For further information visit the Diss U3A website or telephone 01379 642674.

His talk “Grandad Played The Cornet” told the story of him following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. Aged 16 he began his musical career in the Salvation Army band in Luton, where he was spotted and given the opportunity to appear in an early BBC televised talent show which in turn led to an invitation to join the band of the Irish Guards where for several years he took part in royal ceremonial duties both here and overseas. His illustrated talk charted the history of brass bands from medieval musicians and on to those providing the music for military and religious institutions and to more peaceful times when bands provided music for recreational purposes.  In the 1900’s the brass band was an important feature in many towns and villages playing an integral part in the social and religious lives of every community. Whenever people gathered to celebrate  or commemorate an occasion, the local brass band was there to accompany them. Sadly nowadays with changes to village life the fall in church attendance and the loss of many of our manufacturing industries brass bands are no longer found in the great numbers of their pre-war heydays. This being the case those that do play regularly still enjoy a popular following.

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