Magdalen: When the band played on...
IN the days before television, computers and the many other distractions of life in the 21st century, the brass band was at the heart of a village community.
Magdalen, like a number of other communities, boasted its own brass band featuring familiar local names who took great joy in learning music and playing for their fellow villagers.
In its prime, it had to up to 36 members, but after a recent decline that number reduced to just five and with no sign of reinforcements to swell the ranks, closure was inevitable.
Magdalen and District Band was formed in 1948 when Eric Bell, a member of the St Germans band, called a meeting to see if there was any interest in forming a band for the village.
Among the keen youngsters at that first meeting was 11-year-old Maurice Gent, who has been a member ever since.
The early meetings were held in a coal shed where Mr Gent, now 73, and fellow members Alwyn Pruden, Peter Youngs and Cecil Star sat on a bunker to learn their new art.
He told the Lynn News: "As time went on more lads would join us. From then on it went from strength to strength, we went every Thursday, he taught us the music and we learned."
To start with the four lads had just two instruments to share – a cornet and a tenor horn – but as the band and its committee grew, more instruments were eventually bought.
A women's committee was formed to help with the fundraising while the men's committee concentrated on the music.
Mr Gent, of Sluice Road, Denver, said: "We used to do carnival parades to raise money and we were a very active band. We used to do contests in the Midlands and Leicester and we always took part in the East Anglia band contest in Norwich.
"It was a time we all enjoyed."
Mr Gent, who has played a full repertoire of instruments, added: "It was something that was great for the village. When we first started everyone was keen to join the band and play instruments."
The band became a regular fixture for Christmas carols and village carnivals, but with just five ardent followers remaining such engagements are no longer possible.
President Roy Gooding (70), son of the band's first chairman, said: "Years ago this was a thriving village, but like so many others, there is not the village life there used to be.
"Unfortunately the remaining members are in their 70s and 80s. The music scene has changed, the village scene has changed.
"When you look at the old pictures of our committees nearly everyone in the village was represented.
"If you do not have the young people coming in at the bottom, the top will die off."
The band's last official engagement was a performance at the village scarecrow festival in the summer and the committee is now in the process of trying to sell its home of more than 50 years.
Chairman Elizabeth King (78) said efforts had been made to encourage youngsters to join, but with a number of other activities to occupy their time, the interest just was not there.
She said: "It is very, very sad – especially when you think of how it used to be.
"I came along as a helper in 1958, I enjoyed it and decided to stay.I have run bingos and helped with the fundraising and it is a great shame that it is coming to an end."
Mrs King's sentiments were echoed by secretary Ray Dean (77), who said: "My children were in the band as youngsters.
"We have tried our hardest and it is a great pity that after all these years we have to close.
"But it is one of those things, people do different things now."
For Mr Gent the move marks the end of band life. Despite an offer to play with Hilgay he has decided to play at home and reflect on his memories of the good old days.
He simply said: "It is a sad end to an era."
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Weather for King's Lynn
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
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Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
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