The orchestra began as an Adult Education Workshop in 1971 led by Raymond Jones. Numbers grew from an initial three to about 40 in 1980, at which time the orchestra decided to become independent. Present membership totals approximately 48 and we now belong to the National Federation of Music Societies. The Ufton Court weekends commenced in 1974. For a long period our rehearsals were held at Highdown school in Caversham; in 1990 we moved to the Meadway Centre in Tilehurst and in 1993 to our present location at the Beansheaf Community Centre near junction 12 on the M4. During the orchestra's history the organisation was mainly in the capable hands of Raymond. However, at our 21st anniversary he handed over the administrative reins to a volunteer committee from the orchestra which meets three times a year with an AGM usually in September or October.
On 27 March 2004 Raymond retired and handed over leadership to John Tims as Principal Conductor and Steve Wellman as Assistant Conductor.
John
Tims