Silver band tuning up for 50th anniversary concert

Stape Silver Band will be marking 50 years of supporting cancer research with a celebratory concert later this year.
Stape Silver Band will play the 50th anniversary concert at St Peter and St Pauls Church on Sunday 18 December.Stape Silver Band will play the 50th anniversary concert at St Peter and St Pauls Church on Sunday 18 December.
Stape Silver Band will play the 50th anniversary concert at St Peter and St Pauls Church on Sunday 18 December.

The band, which is based in Pickering, will perform the 50th anniversary concert on Sunday 18 December at 2pm in the parish church.

The band’s guest artist is local singer-songwriter David Swann, who is well known across the region for his entertaining and original repertoire.

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Yorkshire Cancer Research will also have their chief executive officer Mr Charles Rowett at the concert to outline the work of their charity.

The band has a busy schedule ahead of the anniversary concert, playing the War Weekend Concert at Smiddy Hill and at the Remembrance Service in Pickering.

Mike Breckon, conductor of the band, said: “Stape Silver Band was very busy throughout the summer seasons of the 1960s at local agricultural shows and garden fetes, but found themselves with very little to do in winter.

“It was suggested that the band perform a concert for charity in Pickering and Yorkshire Cancer was suggested by one of the bass players, Herbert Breckon, who also organised the first concert in Potter Hill Methodist Chapel in December 1967.

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“As it was a success the band decided to make this an annual event.

“After a couple of venue changes, including the Congregational Church and Pickering Memorial Hall, the concerts have been held in Pickering’s St Peter and St Paul’s Church from around the turn of the century.

“We have had wonderful support from the local community, choirs, soloists and instrumentalists in their role as guest artists at our concerts over the years.

“One particular group of singers that stand out over the years was a barber’s shop group from further afield in the West Riding. We thank them all very much for their contributions over the years.

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“Please come help the band celebrate our support for cancer research at the concert.”

The cost of the concert is £5 for adults and there will be tea/coffee and refreshments available.

Visit www.stapesilverband.co.uk for more information about the band.