Music has always been important to me and I enjoy all good music from jazz to classical : but until I was in my late thirties, enjoyment of music meant setting and listening to records or going to concerts. Then, shortly after moving to the Haslemere area, I responded to an advertisement inviting novices to join Haslemere Town Band and learn to play a brass instrument. I turned up at the bandroom one evening, was given a warm welcome by the Band members, and was introduced to the then Musical Director who presented me with a tenor horn and told me to take it away and come back when I was able to get some recognisable notes from it. After much spitting and blowing I joyfully found I was able to produce some (almost) musical sounds. I returned in triumph to the M.D. and started to learn how difficult it was to play properly. I soon became hooked (and my wife became a Band widow). That was thirty years ago during which time I changed instrument from tenor horn to baritone and to Bb bass (my wife says they would move be even further back if they could). I am still enjoying the band and still convinced that one day I will be able to play as well as some of the young players who seem to find it so easy. Apart from playing an instrument, I have always taken an interest in the organisation and running of the Band. I have served in various capacities including Committee member, Contest Secretary, Band Secretary and Chairman and, following retirement from work, I was able to spend the considerable time and effort necessary in applying to the National Lottery for a grant. This was successful and the Band was able to purchase a complete set of new instruments. This also enabled us to release some of the old instruments for use by the Junior Band which was developing at the time.