The Death Of Paul Sargent
Shipston Town Band is sad to announce the death of one of their longest serving members. Paul had been associated with the band as player and latterly supporter for more than 75 years before he died suddenly aged 88 in Shipston on September 22nd. When the band was reformed after the Second World War Musical Director Bert Smith encouraged local youngsters to join the band to secure the band’s future. Paul was one of the first to be recruited and along with a number of others can be seen in the picture of the band taken in the Square on Mayday in 1953.
Paul is in full uniform standing just in front of the bank. When Paul joined the band his father Sid became a regular supporter of the band and was chief collector for many years making some magnificent collecting boxes which are still in the band’s possession. Like all his contempories Paul did his National Service where he was a member of the band of the Shropshire Light Infantry and used to delight in telling me of the speed at which the band marched and the various things they sometimes inadvertently trod in when performing at agricultural shows.
This was a particularly successful period for the band winning no less than 20 trophies in an 18 month period winning the Midlands Championship in 1961 culminating in being the Midlands representative at the National Finals in London in October.
Paul is seen with his BBb Bass at the left hand of the bass section. His younger brother Dave is pictured to the right of the bass drum playing 1st Baritone
In 1970 the Band Hall was replaced by the current Band Hall and when the new hall arrived on the back of a low loader the band was fortunate to be well blessed with some very capable trades people and Paul’s carpentry skills were put to good use. One of his long lasting creations was the music stand boxes which are still in use today.
In order to guarantee the future of the band it is always important to develop young players and Paul was the inspiration in starting off a junior section when the band purchased some cornets from Barrats of Manchester and Paul began teaching a group of youngsters including current cornet player Andy Smith. This was the beginning of Shipston Junior Band developed by Denis Abbotts and such a vital part of the band’s development.
Paul would always encourage youngsters and in the picture below he is demonstrating his EEb bass to Claire Higgenson at Shipston Junior School Fete and Claire did in years to come become a member of the band but on cornet not EEb Bass.
I cannot remember any Remembrance Day Parade during Paul’s time with the band when he was not there complete with his bass so it seems fitting to conclude with a picture of Paul on the march
This was taken by the band’s former conductor Peter Stevens on Remembrance Sunday 1992.
As I no longer play regularly I often found myself sitting with Paul at the back of the Townsend Hall during concerts and we could share our memories. That and the memory of seeing Paul walking briskly from his home to the square and back when I was in Shipston are etched in my memory.
David Birch
Band Historian
27.9.2026