Advertised through Age Concern UK, Chris began teaching over twenty retired people in small groups every Saturday from November 2003, none of whom had played an instrument before or could read music. Very quickly, almost all of the new recruits became proficient at both, and the number of new starters soon doubled. Within weeks, Chris decided that all of his new players should pool together to form the first band of their lives and, aided by kind players from his champion school bands volunteering to play and mentor the senior citizen novices, the initial Saturday Band was formed.

With an excellent reputation quickly established, local woodwind players soon requested to join the band and what had started out purely as a senior citizen brass band welcomed Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones and players of all ages, so the present day Community (Saturday) Band came into being, enjoying a permanent membership of 70 volunteer players for 17 very happy and successful years until the Covid pandemic of March 2020.

The enforced lockdown of all arts activities in the UK for well over a year meant that when everything restarted in July 2021, and with Chris having retired from teaching, a new home was needed for the Community Band. It immediately became part of the Eagley family and has continued very successfully, but understandably smaller whilst still completely free to all who wish to participate. The Community Band and all of its instrumentalists were thrilled to be a part of The King’s Award For Voluntary Service being bestowed in November 2025.

If you are interested in joining our Community Band, e-mail via the Contact link on our website or contact Chris directly at cj.wormald@btopenworld.com