Many people have asked my why the Totnes brass band did not take part in this year’s carnival procession.

The simple answer is that we were not invited, either because we didn’t fit the new carnival committee’s vision for the event, or they were told (not by us) that we wouldn’t be able to.

It is true that the band is very small at the moment, with many of our players having moved on for reasons of work or study, and we have far from a full complement.

But with something like our own carnival, had we been asked in plenty of time, we might well have been able to put together at least enough, drawing on some ex-players or friends from other bands, as well as our own training band. We’d have managed some­thing – but the call never came!

However, small as we are, we’re still here, and will do what we can for the town and surrounding communities. If asked, we’ll be there for Remembrance Day: we may not be able to lead the parade, but we can be part of the service and provide a cornet player for the Last Post.

Similarly, at Christmas, we can play carols for the usual events and around the town – but please contact us well in advance, so we can be free to do it.

Maybe, in a year’s time, we’ll have a fairly full band again, with a regular conductor, and we can do proper concerts, and many of the summer events we weren’t able to this year. And maybe, someone reading this will realise they want to join us and help us rebuild!

Bob Mann

Chairman, Totnes Band