Hello. My name is Peter Croft and I am one of the 3 Eb Bass players in Sumner Silver Band’s five member bass team.

While banding certainly takes up much of my time being the Hon Sec. and general band dog’s body, I have a number of other passions which have occupied much of my life.

They included playing Rugby, a sport I enjoyed every minute of 45 years, starting in Hagley Park when I was 10 with my 1st game.

Having been raised in a motor sport oriented family (they took me to my 1st National Band Contest when I was still in the womb) it was not surprising that the love and appreciation of sporting vintage type cars has been foremost, and is one of the reasons I try and make an annual pilgrimage to the UK, the home of the old car movement. While there I also attempt to attend the rehearsals of a village band or two.

Colonial architecture is also another keen interest, especially small wooden buildings which are manageable, maintenance- wise. I live in a 150 year old cottage and own and maintain several other little wooden buildings, the oldest being circa 160 years old.

Our family have been in Christchurch for a long time, with my great, great, grandfather arriving here as a mature man in 1850, and his wife to be in 1851, so it is not surprising I have a strong bond with my home town.

That strong bond is the raison d’etre I am so passionate about the Sumner Silver Band, my local community brass band. While the band has had its highs and lows over the last 25 years since it was reformed following a period in recess of almost 30 years, currently the band is looking strong, and in a relatively healthy state, which is due not only to the support of all the band members but also to the good work, drive and enthusiasm displayed by our powerhouse conductor, Victoria.