Our History - the 1990s
In July 1990 Arthur returned as MD of the Senior Band. Arthur’s tenures between 1983-1987, and 1990-1999 made him our longest serving musical director to date.
1991 saw Hangleton Band’s big screen debut, performing as extras in ‘Under Suspicion’. The film starred Liam Neeson as a disgraced Brighton cop turned private detective in the 1950s and required a brass band for some scenes shot in and around Brighton Station. Eight band members dressed up as a Salvation Army band for the day, and the results can still be seen (briefly!) in the finished film’s opening scene.
In 1994 Father Terry Martin stepped down as Youth Band MD and was replaced by Clive Thomas, who had been helping Terry with conducting duties for the previous few years. Jenny Oatway then took over as MD when Clive left the area the following year.
In 1995 the band celebrated its 30th Anniversary and a celebration banquet was held at St Helens Hall in Hangleton. The event was attended by 80 people and was catered by Anthony Hollick, ably assisted by a team of band members.
In 1999 Arthur Chapman retired from conducting and handed the baton over to Christine Nonoo, who had re-joined the band several years earlier as Solo Horn.
1999 also saw Rachel Taylor take over conducting duties with the Youth Band following a stint as joint caretaker MD with Claire Chapman.
Read more about the Hangleton Band in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 2000s and 2010s.