The City of Oxford Silver Band has a proud history, having delighted audiences far and wide for more than 100 years.

They posed for this photograph in 1961, dressed in their smart uniforms with bow ties, outside their band room in Barns Road, Cowley.

In front, in the centre, is Cyril Challis, known to everyone as ‘Nobby’, their distinguished conductor and musical director.

Other musicians include Thomas Winthorpe, who went on to play for the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and Frank Wolff and Harold Williams, who both became well known in the local brass band world.

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The picture comes from Robert Harris, of Yarnells Hill, North Hinksey, who spent more than 50 years as a bandsman playing cornet and later tuba.

He started with Kidlington Band at the age of 11 in 1948 before transferring to the Oxford Silver Band.

He also played with the Pressed Steel and Oxford Concert Brass bands and conducted Yarnton Youth Band.

He continues his long musical career in a less energetic way now - singing bass in the choir at St Mary’s Church, Kidlington.

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The City of Oxford Silver Band, founded as the Headington Silver Band in 1887, has performed at hundreds of concerts and trained thousands of youngsters.

It celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2012 with a special concert at Cowley Conservative Club.

It has three active bands from beginners to seniors.

It performs at local events in support of community groups and charities as well as competing in the National Brass Band championships.

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It meets weekly at its band hall in Temple Cowley.