AN accomplished and much-loved musician who was a member of Amesbury Town Band for more than 50 years has died, aged 84.

David Shutler, from Netheravon, played both the B-flat bass and bass trombone.

He was also a gifted piano accordion player and older members of Amesbury Town Band have fond memories of David accompanying the band in a special arrangement by Phil Marsden of “Vivaldi’s Winter”.

Many in the local community will also remember David playing his accordion with the local dance band ‘The Mellow Moods’ with Geoff Thomas (lead), and Dennis Shutler (drums) at Bulford Working Mens club, Amesbury, Salisbury and Andover British Legions, and Durrington Working Men’s Club.

They also played a number of establishments around Dorset.

David would get the accordion out to entertain at the village fete in Netheravon and wherever anyone asked him to play.

In the early 2000s, he was forced to give up playing because of his failing eyesight but family and friends say he will always be fondly remembered for his cheerful attitude to life and music.

Born on August 21, 1932, David worked for many years at Home Farm in Tidworth where his young family grew up.

He retired from Haxton Farm where he worked for John and then Douglas Lamont for 25 years.

David also liked a game of dominoes on a Friday evening at the Netheravon Working Men’s club – he could not see the dots but played by touch.

His wife Marjorie passed away in 2002. He leaves three sons – Bruce, Paul and Brian, a daughter Sally and granddaughter Kate.

They said: “We shall all miss him, he gave so many people happy memories through his love of music and his sense of humour.”

He died last Thursday following a short illness. His funeral takes place at 3.15pm next Friday (October 7) at Salisbury Crematorium.

Close family flowers only, donations to Cancer Research UK through the undertakers Will Case and Partners, 31 Salisbury Street, Amesbury, Wiltshire.