For the 87th consecutive year, 95-year-old Eric Davies will bring the sound of Christmas to the streets of Abergavenny, upholding a remarkable family legacy with The Salvation Army Band that stretches back to the 19th century.
A Century of Service and Sound
The Davies family's deep-rooted connection to festive music in the Welsh town began in 1896. Eric's grandmother, Lieutenant Temperance Walkley, arrived in the valleys as a Salvation Army officer that year and later married the local bandmaster, Jack Davies. The musical baton passed to Eric's father, Arthur, who became bandmaster and taught his son to play as a young boy.
Eric recalls his inaugural performance with vivid clarity. "My first time playing an instrument was carolling outside the chemist in Abergavenny in 1938 when I was eight years old," he said. "That was the last Christmas before the war. I was in short trousers in the middle of winter." From that chilly beginning, an unbroken streak of festive performances was born.
The Heartbeat of a Community Tradition
This year, Eric will once again take his place on the High Street, collecting donations for vulnerable people in the local area. His dedication remains undimmed. Recently, he performed a solo set in the town centre for over two hours, an effort that raised an impressive £700 for good causes.
"I still get the same thrill playing carols as I did back in the 1930s," Eric shared. "It is always a high point in the Christian calendar. Christ is the reason for the season." His family has long been the core of the band; by 1950, he and his brother Cyril constituted half of the eight-strong brass ensemble alongside their father and uncle.
Celebrating a Lifetime of Musical Milestones
Among Eric's proudest achievements was performing at the prestigious Bandmasters’ Councils Festival at the Royal Albert Hall in 1957. His enduring commitment was formally recognised in 2024 when he received a long-service award during celebrations marking 140 years of The Salvation Army in Abergavenny and 150 years in Wales.
When asked about the secret to his long and active life, Eric points to the values instilled in him from childhood. "I was brought up in The Salvation Army, taught to abstain from drinking and smoking," he explained. "It’s kept me on the right road to the age of 95."
The Abergavenny Salvation Army Corps will host further festive events at their hall on Victoria Street (NP7 5DS):
- Wednesday, December 24: Carols by Candlelight at 5:30pm.
- Thursday, December 25: Christmas Morning Celebration at 10am.
As Eric prepares for another Christmas on the High Street, he embodies a living thread of community, faith, and tradition that has soundtracked the town's festivities for generations.
