East Woodhay Silver Band member retires after 70 years in group

A woman who has been a member of the East Woodhay Silver Band for more than 70 years has finally decided to hang up her drum sticks and retire.

Shirley Webb, from Gore End, played every single instrument available in the band during her time as a member.

The 89-year-old finished up playing tuned percussion and the drum kit, which was the favourite instrument she played during her whole time in the band.

Mrs Webb had to leave the musical group for health reasons, but she was presented with flowers, a Dartington glass vase and a plaque as farewell gifts at the band’s Christmas concert in the East Woodhay Village Hall on December 17.

She said: “It was hard to give it up. I am really missing it. Even now I’d be up there like a shot.”

Mrs Webb’s late husband Desmond conducted the band from 1948 until his death in 1991.

She said the band was “absolutely” a massive part of their lives. “Our whole life was the band,” she said.

“We used to teach loads of youngsters in those days. There wasn’t much television so every night of the week we were taking band and there were a lot of engagements on the weekend.”