A small committee of hard working members diligently runs the present band.

Our present Musical Director

Richard was introduced into Brass Bands at an early age. His father was a tuba player with the Mayfield & District Band and his Grandfather was Bandmaster. One of his earliest memories was at the age of four, holding his father’s tuba outside of Hove Town Hall at the spring contest in 1963, for a photo shoot by a local newspaper. The contest was of great success for the band. Richard started banding at the age of twelve in 1971, when he started playing the Euphonium at the then Wadhurst Secondary School. He progressed to the School Band & was involved during the next few years in moving the Band forward, firstly to the Wadhurst Youth Band & subsequently the Wadhurst Brass Band. He continued with the Band until 1990. Having moved to Heathfield in 1988, Richard thought it time to move on & in 1990 joined the Heathfield Silver Band. At this time the Band was more of a wind band, having lost some brass players over the previous years. As time went on many of the younger members moved onto further education & left the Band. This left the Band with a core of brass players thus moving it back to a traditional Brass Band. In 1994, after loosing three conductors in four years & with the bands backing, Richard thought it was time to follow his Grandfathers footsteps & became Musical Director. It was then that he not only had to try and lead the band, but also had to learn to read full scores of music. This was not an easy task to start with, but as time moved on things gradually started falling into place. The Band was built up over the next few years, with the help of many, very good young players. In 2000, with pressures of work Richard decided that it was time to step down & put what time he had back into playing the Euphonium. In 2005 Richard left the band for a short period & joined the Mayfield Band where he was able to try his hand at contesting. Following approximately 18 months Richard was invited back to Heathfield Silver Band as Musical Director when the position became available in October 2007. He enjoys leading the band, & with the help of all of its members, Richard looks forward to moving the Band forward over the next few years. Richard is always keen to play his euphonium whenever possible and is always willing to help other bands whenever he can. Richard is not the only Sherlock in the band, his father Ernie plays Eb Bass with the band and at the age of 84 still enjoys his playing although he now refuses to march. Richards wife and daughter are also keen members both playing the cornet.

Mostyn Cornford.

Mostyn’s son Peter who played in the band persuaded Mostyn to come along to an engagement and bang the drum, with no intention of staying, that was 31 years ago. At 71 years old Mostyn is still banging the drum but now plays a variety of percussion instruments. Mostyn has been the Band Treasurer for 28 years. Mostyn’s daughter and granddaughter were also encouraged to join the band. About 15 years ago Mostyn saw the need to enlarge the band room, at this time the band room lacked a water supply and toilet facility. Mostyn a builder by trade set about drawing up plans and obtaining planning permission to enlarge the building. The plans were to provide extra accommodation and facilities such as a toilet and small kitchen. Mostyn then set about building the new improved band room himself with the help of willing volunteers from the band. The works were completed in 2005 and was officially opened by Mr David Dimbleby. Mostyn’s hard work has provided a more comfortable environment to practise in and hopefully will be used for many years to come. In the mean time we hope Mostyn will carry on banging the drum for many years to come.

 Ted Lee.