TWO long-serving members of the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra (BSO) were treated to a surprise visit from the Mayor of Basingstoke to celebrate their combined total of 107 years playing with the orchestra. 

The mayor Cllr Paul Miller and mayoress Sandra Miller visited a rehearsal on Friday, October 28 to present oboist Clive Evans and violinist Dayl Wallace with gifts from the rest of the orchestra, and to recognise their service to the orchestra and the key roles they have played over their tenure.

The mayor and mayoress also stayed to listen as the orchestra rehearsed for its concert which took place at The Anvil on Sunday, 6 November.

READ MORE: Basingstoke show that told story of shut theatres before Covid lockdown awarded

BSO chair Ann Henshaw said: "It was a joyous event for us to celebrate Dayl and Clive's amazing achievement — 50 years plus each as a playing member is a real milestone and it needed to be celebrated.

"We were delighted and honoured that the mayor and mayoress were able to mark the occasion with us. The mayor and mayoress are stalwart supporters of the orchestra and all that we do."

Clive is the longest-serving playing member in the orchestra. He began playing with the BSO aged 15, under the baton of Peter Marchbank.

He has played as a soloist on more than one occasion and has held office on the committee for many years, including a stint as chairman. He is currently the BSO's concert manager.

SEE ALSO: 'I feel very proud': Antique fair back in the family and under new management

Dayl is a much-loved and valued member of the violin section. She has been a loyal member of the orchestra for 50 years.

Every member of her immediate family has also played with the orchestra. Her daughter Kim played with the BSO many years ago and has recently returned to also play in the violin section. Dayl's son, Adrian, played viola and Dayl's late husband, Harvey, was the BSO's concert manager for many years.

The BSO is the oldest amateur orchestra in the Basingstoke area. Formed in 1930 by local musicians for the enjoyment of making music through rehearsals and concerts, today the orchestra has over 60 members, all of whom live locally.

Its current president is Julian Lloyd Webber OBE and the BSO plays a wide variety of music from Beethoven, Brahms and Mendelssohn to modern classics from the film world, performing three times a year at The Anvil.