History

Era's from our History

The Development from Fife and Drum Band into Heathfield Silver Band

Until further research is done, the precise dating of the formation of a band in Heathfield will remain uncertain. Evidence which has come to light so far though, suggests that a band was started in 1888. The first band was not brass and it didn’t practise in what we today call “Heathfield” it was a fife and drum band and it used Heathfield National School as a practice room, having oil lamps as its only means of lighting. The founder of the band was Mr Edward Bean of the well-known Heathfield family of carriers. He was supported by Mr Fred Adams and between them they got the band off the ground using subscriptions and donations from Leadenhall Market (London) poultry dealers, which Beans had contact with through their carriers business and as a result for quite a long time the band was dubbed the “Chicken Fatters Band”. Fred Adams was the first bandmaster and a Mr Stephen Saunders from Little London was their tutor. Edward Bean was recognised as a generous and popular man whom everyone knew. He remained a member of the band until his death in the 1930’s. Gradually, brass instruments were added to this fife and drum band and by the end of the century the band was attached to the local 2nd Sussex Volunteers. By this time the band was using a room belonging to the Cade Street pub for practising, where bandsmen used long tables for music stands, putting up with poor lighting and heating. The sergeant bandmaster was Charles E. Pettit, who remained with the band for some 40 years. As a volunteer band, Heathfield was expected to go to camp at Lydd, where besides playing the Reveille and for parades, they entertained troops. Of course the band still attended its usual fetes, marches and flower shows back in the Heathfield area throughout the rest of the year. Heathfield Band became a civilian band again a few years into the present century and continued playing regularly right up to the First World War.

Ever since about 1930, the band had rented its practice room in the Alexandra Road, but with increased financial strength, due to the activities of a large and thriving supporters club, the band purchased it in 1955 and it still practises here to the present day. The asking price was £225, £100 of which the supporters club donated. The original trustees of the band were Reginald Thomas Lloyd Bland, Robert John Lee, Royston Percy Elphick and Graham Stewart Barton.