Instrument: 4-valve Besson Sovereign

Position: B Flat Bass; Secretary and Engagement Secretary 1948 - 2006

Previous Bands: No previous bands, but played for a small group of 12 at Rescorla and a Brass Quartette in addition to Bugle.

Profile:
Geoff commenced playing in 1944 at the age of 11 on Tenor Horn with Bugle Silver Band, and his first major contests were Exeter and Belle Vue in 1948.  Eventually he moved on to Baritone and Euphonium, before settling on Bass.  He played at the West Of England Bandsmen's Festival (Bugle Contest) in 1964 (the first year the band was allowed to enter), and has played every year since - What an achievement! In 1977 and 1979 he was part of a section that won the Best Set Of Basses award, and he has played at the National Finals six times.

Geoff has now completed over 60 years with Bugle Silver Band, and is our longest serving member.  In addition to playing with Bugle, Geoff also played for a few years with the Rescorla Band and the Rescorla Brass Quartet, as well as helping out the volunteer band at RNAS Culdrose on numerous occasions.

He was the Secretary of the band for about 40 years and is married to Beryl who is Chairman of the Supporters' Committee.  Besides making numerous cakes for raffle prizes, she makes 250 yeast buns every Monday for the Bingo sessions held at the band room!

His daughter, Sally, plays 3rd Cornet with the band, and Lisa his granddaughter plays Baritone.  His grandson, Gavin, plays Percussion and E Flat Bass with Bugle and Tenor Horn with the Brass Worx Brass Ensemble, and Geoff is justly proud of all of them.

Geoff, in addition to banding also enjoys growing and showing vegetables, for which he has won numerous blue ribbons.

Memorable banding moment:
At Paignton Festival Theatre, his mate on B Flat Bass was parking the coach as the band went on stage.  He found him and got him there in time, but in his haste found the music he had picked up was "Sleigh Ride"!  He then had to dash off to get the test piece!

Why he likes playing in Bugle Silver Band:
Geoff says:
"Playing in Bugle Band has been my whole life. I like the pleasure of being involved with the numerous and varying engagements, and marching which the band is noted for!"