‘The Wantage Silver Band is an amateur brass band organisation, based in the small market town of Wantage, Oxfordshire. The organisation currently comprises 8 bands, possibly making Wantage the largest brass organisation in the country ... We provide entertainment to local audiences through concerts and open-air events such as summer fetes, and compete in county and national/area competitions ... Three of Wantage Silver Band's sections are active on the contesting scene, competing in the London and Southern Counties region ... Occasionally we travel further afield for contests of particular interest, or for holidays combined with scheduled concert performances ... The organisation is very active in providing musical training to the young population of the area (and to adult beginners too!), offering a worthwhile pastime, sometimes leading to a lifetime involvement with music.’