Past Staff and Members
PASt Staff
Bandmaster Norman Cassells
Norman was the first Bandmaster when the band was formed in 2009 and served faithfully in that role for 15 years, until his retirement at the end of 2023. Norman served as Young People’s Bandleader and Bandmaster at several SA corps, and he and his wife, Marilyn, continue to be very valued members of the Fellowship Band.
Deputy Bandmaster Nicholas Walton
Nicholas was the second Deputy Bandmaster, taking over the role following Mike’s Promotion to Glory. Nicholas was also a valued soprano player and made a great contribution to the musicianship of the band. Nicholas retired from the band at the end of 2023. He is the Corps Sergeant-Major (CSM) at Exeter Temple where he worships along with his wife.
Band Sergeant Ruth Dalton
Ruth was keen to make sure that the band always had refreshments during rehearsals. She cared greatly for the band members and their families, and she was the ideal person to take on the role of Band Sergeant. Ruth served faithfully as Band Sergeant until she became too ill to continue.
Webmaster Robert Dalton
Rob had skills in many areas, not least of which was his IT competence, and he made sure that the band had an excellent online presence. Rob also served in the baritone section of the band until his tragic Promotion to Glory in 2023.
Deputy Bandmaster Michael Justice
Mike was the first Deputy Bandmaster when the band was formed in 2009, and continued serving in that role until his sudden Promotion to Glory in 2014.
Treasurer/Secretary Christopher Turner
Chris served as a very competent Treasurer and Secretary to the band from its formation in 2009 until his retirement at the end of 2023. He and his wife worship at Newton Abbot SA, where Chris plays in the band.
Executive Officer Major Pamela Wood (R)
Pamela prayerfully and willingly took on the combined role of Band Sergeant and Executive Officer, and held this role until her retirement at the end of 2023. Major Pamela is a member of the Salvation Army in Newton Abbot.
Roll of Honour
We remember our faithful friends who are now with the Lord they loved and served
Bandsman John Jenkins
(7 April 1936 – 13 December 2012)
John was a founder member of the Fellowship Band’s trombone section on its inauguration in January 2009. Commissioned into Bristol Easton Band on 15th September 1951, he eventually joined the band reserve on 15 September 2010 after 59 years’ exemplary service. John was the ultimate “Mr Versatility”, having played every instrument except bass – “always happy to play whatever was asked of me”. As a member of a renowned trombone playing family (along with brothers Don and Stephen, son Nathan and grandson Reuben) it is fitting that it was on trombone that he ended his playing days.
The last two years of John’s life were beset by poor health and he was only rarely able to make rehearsal or engagements. But his service throughout his life is remembered and respected for its sincerity and consistency.
Deputy Bandmaster Michael Justice
(17 March 1934 – 4 June 2014)
Mike was the Fellowship Band’s first Deputy Bandmaster and was an invaluable support to Bandmaster Norman in that role, as well as filling the position of principal trombone until his sudden Promotion to Glory.
Mike was born in Sutton, Surrey, and grew up in the corps there, before moving with his wife, Addena, to Portsmouth and then on to Bristol Easton. After retirement, Mike settled in Worle and soldiered at Clevedon.
Mike was equally accomplished playing euphonium or baritone, but trombone was his first love and such were the standards he maintained that he was playing solos right up to his 80th year.
Mike was a natural leader, in musical and other positions, serving in different corps as Singing Company Leader, Songster Leader, and Corps Sergeant-Major. All of this experience made him the perfect choice as the Fellowship Band’s first Deputy.
Margaret O’Connell
(3 May 1936 – 6 February 2014)
Fellowship is, as its name suggests, at the core of the Band and the chance to enjoy a cup of tea and a chat halfway through rehearsal is an important way for band members – who are drawn from corps and churches across a wide geography – to bond together. Margaret willingly got involved right from the start as one of the ‘tea sergeants’ who served refreshments at these times.
Margaret was a lifelong Salvationist, married to Mike (the band’s flugel horn player) for 55 years. She loved children and was a committed, hard worker in various aspects of young people’s activities in Horfield and, latterly, Pill Corps.
Her sudden Promotion to Glory was a great sadness to the Band and her warm smile is much missed.
Bandsman Raymond Johnson
(7 February 1940 – 7 February 2015)
Ray had been a member of Bristol Easton Band for many years and had returned to playing when the Fellowship Band came into existence.
Ray was a very competent Horn player and loved re-learning the music of his earlier years.
Ruth Dalton
(16 May 1950 – 15 January 2016)
Ruth was the Fellowship Band’s first Band Sergeant. Although Ruth’s passion was singing, she realised that the Fellowship Band offered something different than just band music, and set about ensuring that the band always had refreshments at their practices and engagements. It soon became evident that she also cared for all the members of the band and their families, and so she was invited to become the Band Sergeant.
Ruth was married to Rob, also a valued member of the Fellowship Band.
Because of Ruth’s persistence, a Salvation Army Fellowship Choir was formed with the same aims as the band, but using words as well as music to deliver the gospel message.
Bandsman Frank Fidler
(9 June 1936 – 15 July 2020)
Frank was born in Colchester in 1936, the son of Salvation Army officers. Frank joined the RAF and was appointed to the RAF Central Band, and from there to many other RAF bands. He retired, as Warrant Officer and Bandmaster of the RAF Germany Band after 33 years’ service, to the Forest of Dean.
During his time in the RAF, Frank found an interest in musical instrument repair, and many of us have had our instruments repaired by Frank.
Frank joined the Fellowship Band in 2015 on Eb bass, bringing a wealth of knowledge and talent and, of course, his ability to repair our instruments.
Bandsman William Terence Nielsen (Terry)
(29 March 1930 – 30 May 2020)
Terry was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, leaving home to join the RAF Central Band. Terry went on to become Bandmaster at Bedford Congress Hall Salvation Army and, after many successful years as Bandmaster and Songster Leader at many corps, he and his wife, Moira, retired to Bristol.
They settled at Bristol Easton Salvation Army and Terry joined the Fellowship Band, sitting next to an old colleague from the RAF Central Band and forming a formidable euphonium section.
Bandsman Terence James Denis Rogers (Terry)
(27 December 1936 – 9 January 2021)
Terry was born in Pill and spent most of his Salvation Army life as a soldier and bandsman at Pill Corps. During this time, Terry played cornet, tenor horn, baritone and trombone. Terry also loved writing music and his last composition was ‘I Need No Other Sacrifice’, which is available on a CD of the Salvation Army’s International Staff Songsters.
Terry was a caring, generous, loving gentleman. He joined the Fellowship Band at its inception and provided an excellent addition to the baritone section.
Bandsman Derek Scott
(6 September 1925 – 31 March 2021)
Derek was a lifelong Salvationist. He played in the Salvation Army bands at Bristol Bedminster and Horfield before moving to Bristol Citadel in the 1970s.
In Bristol Citadel band, Derek was principal cornet and, for many years, Deputy Bandmaster under Kenneth Clark. He was a founder member of the Fellowship Band and was also the principal cornet with Bristol Veterans Brass. Derek was also one of the ceremonial trumpeters for the Lord Mayor of Bristol.