March’s spotlight is part of a history written by Brian Edwards who has just celebrated 75 years playing with Royston Town Band (amazing!).
“My association with Royston Town Band started in 1942 at the age of eleven. Many of the regular players had joined the Forces, and Frank Greenhill, who had been conductor of the band since 1933, came up with the idea of forming a junior band. That was, however, a wonderful idea as so much time was available from school children and instruments were there ready for learners to take up. As a band trainer Frank filled the roll admirably, and was ideal as long as you didn’t play too many wrong notes!
He was determined to keep the band going in Royston, and as so many instrumentalists were missing, the band needed as many replacements as possible to fill the gaps. This was quite an attraction to the youngsters, however, as so many of the instruments were available on which to practise. Frank’s method was quite simple and exercises, scales, and easy marches, were soon coming from the bandroom, which was on loan to us rent-free by Nash, Son & Rowleys, the auctioneers at the top of Fish Hill. This arrangement was used for a number of years. The redundant premises are now a funeral parlour and Council hall.