Our History
In November 1965 Hubert (Bert) Osgood, the Deputy Head of Hangleton Junior School in Hove demonstrated some brass instruments during a music lesson.
At the end of the lesson some of the children asked if they could try playing the instruments, and they were told that if they worked hard they would be allowed to play a carol at the upcoming Christmas Concert.
Four weeks later following weekly lessons eight children accompanied the hymn for morning assembly, and during the fifth week played three items in the Christmas Concert.In January 1966 more instruments were borrowed which allowed the small group expand to sixteen. Three twenty minute practices were held a week during lunch breaks. In June the band took part in the Hove Schools Music Festival held at the Brighton Dome and played in front of a crowd of 1,500 people.
In September 1966 many of the children in the band left Hangleton Junior School to attend local secondary schools. It was agreed they would continue to meet on Saturday mornings in the school hall. The group was named the ‘Hangleton Junior Band’, an independent organisation with Ron Brooks, a school manager and local Justice of the Peace, as Honorary President.
1969 saw the band take part in their first of many contests, held in Hastings. A performance of Thanet Seascapes resulted in a position of 4th of 5 bands.
Read more about the Hangleton Band in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.
