About Us
The Fellowship Band has around 50 members from many of the Salvation Army corps in the division and churches in the area.
The band was formed in 2009 and has been pleased to take part in a variety of events, including Sunday worship, concerts/festivals, carol services, and carol-playing.
The members are drawn from all walks of life. As the entry age is 50 most are retired but those still working are from a variety of occupations: financial services, local government, IT, teaching, healthcare, sales representatives, and running self-employed businesses. The vast majority of members have been, or still are, involved in Salvation Army or church music-making.
The opportunities which we have to express God’s love have always motivated us to play music in a way which shows the joy experienced in God’s service and to communicate that joy to others.
We rehearse every two or three weeks (except during the summer months) in the Salvation Army hall at 1 Heywood Road, Pill, BS20 0HT, and everyone is welcome to come along and play or just listen.
The Salvation Army has a strong musical heritage and music continues to play an important part in the life and ministry of our corps (churches).
All our music-making is firmly underpinned by the desire to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to interest the listener in the Christian message through the medium of music.
Who We Are
Bandmaster Marston Blake
Marston was born in Liverpool to Salvation Army officer parents, and has lived in many parts of the UK. He has played with a number of SA bands, both junior and senior, and was the Young People’s Bandleader at Wood Green SA. He now lives in Trowbridge and is the Bandmaster at Trowbridge Citadel Corps. Marston works as an IT Business Analyst, he is married to Mandy, and they have a son and daughter-in-law. Marston also has a sister, Estelle, who is a serving SA officer.
Executive Officer Lt-Col Sandra Moran
Sandra first attended the Salvation Army at the Bradford West Bowling Corps as a baby. She was introduced to banding through the Young People’s Band as a 12-year-old, progressing into the Senior Band, and enjoying a fulfilling ministry as a bandswoman until her entry into the SA’s International Training College with her husband, Peter. They served as Corps Officers in South Wales and Bristol, then on Divisional Headquarters in Exeter, Cardiff and Maidstone. Peter was Promoted to Glory 6 months before their retirement date. They have four sons, and six grandchildren. In retirement, Sandra is a retired officers’ visitor, and soldiers at Bristol Easton Corps.
Deputy Bandmaster Kevin Jones
Treasurer/Secretary Reg Wiles
Reg did not become a Christian until he was 40. Spending – like the Israelites – 40 years in the wilderness but has now had 33 years in the light. During his time in the wilderness he was able to join several Pit Bands and so learnt to play a brass instrument. It is a joy that this ability has been useful in his christian worship. Prior to retirement he worked as an accountant in engineering, food manufacture, and food retailing. For the last 27 years he has been the Corps Treasurer and a bandsman at Clevedon Corps.