Durnovaria Silver Band Moves To New Home
Friday, November 16th, 2012
The acclaimed Durnovaria Silver Band have found a new base to practice in Dorchester, after being told their long-time home at the Fordington Methodist Church Hall is to be closed and sold at auction. They will now move to the nearby Scout Hall for a three month trial run, with the possibility of a longer stay there if all goes well.
It’s great news for the Band, as there had been concern for their future after it was announced that the church hall would close. The band members held discussions about possibly buying the hall in partnership with other organisations, but this stalled due to a lack of funds and interest.
This move to the Scout Hall now means the immediate future of the band is secure, and we can look forward to many more superb concerts in the Borough Gardens and elsewhere in months to come!
About the Band…
The Durnovaria Silver Band is almost 80 years old, having been founded back in 1936 by Edwin and Kay Otter. Edwin remained the musical director right up until his death in 1983, and he led the band to wins in many brass band contests and festivals.
The Band played a major role in the twinning of Dorchester with the German town of Lubbecke, having found kindred spirits in Lubbecke’s own brass band when they met in France in 1968. This led to one of the Silver Band’s more unusual claims to fame, as in 1969 they became the first foreign civilian band to play in Berlin since the end of the Second World War.
Today the Silver Band plays regular concerts at the Borough Gardens bandstand and can often be seen at fetes, festivals and other events across Dorset during the summer months.
The members range in age from early teens to eighties, and they are all volunteers motivated solely by the love of music and tradition. The Band is a major part of Dorchester’s history and culture, and one that deserves to be preserved for future generations, which is why it’s fantastic news that a new practice venue has been found.
Have you enjoyed seeing the Durnovaria Silver Band in concert in Dorchester this year or in the past? Tell us about your memories and experiences in the comments section below!
