The city centre would not be the same at Christmas without the familiar, festive sound of the Canterbury Salvation Army band.

And this will be 35th year that bandmaster Martin Neeve will lead the musicians in performing at the hugely popular Christmas Eve carol singing in the city centre.

Now 61, the retired maths teacher, who lives in the city, is as enthusiastic as ever about the band and life with the Salvation Army ‘family’.

“I’m not thinking of stepping down any time soon because I enjoy it so much,” said the father-of-three, whose wife Jenny is also a member of the church charity.

“I got involved because my family attended the Salvation Army church and it’s just always been a big part of my life.”

Martin was only six when he started to learn the cornet, later changing instruments to the euphonium.

He first joined the junior band and then the main brass band as a 16-year-old, which eventually led to him becoming its conductor in 1984.

And it is performing for the public, particularly at Christmas, which gives him most joy.

“Even when we are not collecting for charity, people want to give us money..." - Martin Neeve

“We get such a warm welcome and big crowds, which makes it very rewarding,” he said.

“Even when we are not collecting for charity, people want to give us money. I’m always staggered by the response and their generosity.”

The band has already been playing every Saturday morning at the junction of the High Street and Guildhall Street, adding to the special seasonal atmosphere, while helping to raise money for the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Gift fund charity.

The festive season is a particularly busy time for the musicians, and their other engagements include the university carol service in the Cathedral, carol concerts in Boughton, Sandwich and Westbere, and visits to various children’s groups and other centres.

Although retired from teaching at Sir Roger Manwood’s School in Sandwich, Martin still does some online tutorial work and enjoys cycling.

But the Salvation Army and especially the band and his family is his main focus. He admits, however, to not now playing his instrument as much as he used to because he is always conducting. He and Jenny also sing with the charity’s Songsters choir.

The couple have a son, Philip, who is also a teacher, and two daughters, Emily, a chemist working in Germany, and Lucy, who is a Salvation Army minister in Northern Ireland.

“A highlight for us and the band this year was visiting her ministry in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“Since retiring from my teaching career, I have also been kept very busy with grandchildren, including regular visits to Northern Ireland and Germany, and I have even started to learn German.

“I am also a trustee for the local Almhouses, so there’s definitely no chance to get bored. And even when I eventually stand down as bandmaster, I would still want to remain part of the group.”