Peter Mealing is the second-longest serving member after Jane Hubble. He plays percussion and drums and has a wicked sense of humour!
“I was invited to join the Band 20 years ago by Ian Inkley and the then MD Colin Harmsworth, we had all been in the 14th Aylesbury Scout Band. I said that I wasn’t very good at playing the drums but they graciously said that I was better than what they had, which was no one! And after receiving permission from my lovely wife (on the condition that I didn’t get involved with the running of it) I joined.
“Having joined the Royal Navy at 15 I began to appreciate military music, it livened up marching no end!
“Many years later when my son Steven joined the said Scout Band I was roped in (volunteered) to assist and began to play the Bass drum, I found it difficult at first as I had to help control the Band on the march but as it got easier I really enjoyed it and did it for 18 years.
“I picked up how to play the side drum so that I could teach the boys (and the odd girl)
“After a few years they started a concert band as well and got a drum kit which I dabbled on, learning to read drum music and filling in when we had no one else to bash the kit.
“I still consider myself a bit of a fraud and am immensely privileged to be able to perform with such a talented group. The only other thing I can play is the fool!”
