Wadhurst Brass Band are sad to announce that our founder and Life President Algy Hoare passed away on 14th April 2026.

 

Edward Louis Glyn Hoare, known as Algy since childhood, was born in the Forest of Dean and this is where he learned to play the trombone and euphonium with the Forest’s local brass bands. 

 

After National Service he went to Loughborough Teacher Training College (now a university) and became a woodwork teacher. He needed to take a second subject at college and predictably chose music. Algy came to Wadhurst in September 1957 and joined the craft department in ‘Wadhurst County Secondary Modern School’, now 'Uplands Academy'.

 

A brass player since the age of eleven, he wanted to join a brass band, but there wasn’t one in Wadhurst, so he joined the Mayfield Band in a nearby village. He also played with a small group in Burwash called the 'Thirsty Eight'. Naturally they met in a pub but that’s another story.

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Although a woodwork teacher, his passion was music especially brass bands. So, he devoted his spare time to playing and teaching brass. At school, some pupils were members of the Salvation Army band. With these players, he formed a group performing in school assemblies. Soon, other pupils expressed an interest in playing, forming the foundation of a small band, which grew and grew. Amazingly, many old instruments were found in attics and barns and eventually the Parent and Teachers Association purchased a full set of second-hand instruments to allow the band to expand. Following this, the band began performing at concerts, local village fetes and receptions... anywhere music was needed.

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In 1970, Algy was granted a year’s study leave to obtain a music degree at Trinity College of Music in London. During that year, George Mallion of the Salvation Army undertook to teach his brass pupils and continued to help when Algy returned to school. Both Algy and George held lunchtime and after school rehearsals; their efforts resulting in a complete brass band. This was the first brass band in a State School in East Sussex.

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In the early ’70s a youth band was formed which included ex-pupils. New instruments were needed and the band began to raise funds to buy these. It took 20 years to fund enough instruments for the band. And then in 1984, the band became the Wadhurst Brass Band.

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Algy retired from conducting after 60 years at an emotional and celebratory Christmas Concert in December 2017. In a unanimous decision by band members, he was made Honorary Life President. He continued to attend practices and give lessons until a few weeks before his death.

 

He loved entertaining audiences with brass music, and it shows in the size of audiences the band attracts. He especially liked taking the band on European tours, to Belgium, Germany and France. This included playing a full part in poignant remembrance services at the Menin Gate and in Wadhurst’s twin village of Aubers.

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So many people, young and some not so young, have been encouraged by Algy’s enthusiasm and passion for brass music. Wadhurst Brass Band is now a village institution thanks to Algy. He was an inspiration and unstinting in his commitment.

 

He was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, very much deserved.

 

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Edward Louis Glyn Hoare BEM. Founder and Musical Director of Wadhurst Brass Band. 

For services to Music. (Wadhurst, East Sussex). 10/07/1934 – 14/04/2026