The Deane Sinfonia started life as the Kingsclere Orchestra; below is a brief history (with thanks to Pat Read) :

Bill Atkinson, Rose Lock and Sid Sharman, committee members of the Kingslcere Community Association, had for some time been keen to establish some form of instrumental activity in the village; Bill had fond memories of the Kingsclere Brass Band from many years back. In September 1980, Rose Lock met Pat Read, discussed the matter with her and co-opted her on to the Kingsclere Community Association committee to see if there was any way of starting an instrumental activity in the village.  Discussions took place during subsequent Association committee meetings and it was decided to set up a sub-committee for the purpose of starting an instrumental group. The members of the sub-committee were Bill Atkinson, Rose Lock, Sid Sharman and Pat Read.

 The first sub-committee meeting was held on the 9^th December 1980 by kind permission of Bill Atkinson.  A music questionnaire was decided upon in order to find out the demand and type of musical expertise available and replies were collated by Pat Read. From the replies it appeared that there was the basis for the formation of an orchestra and interested parties were invited to come and play on the 22^nd January, 1981 from 6.00-8.30 p.m.  There were 5 playing members and 1 sub-committee member at this first meeting: Pat Read, Enid Rylatt, Jackie Frith, Maureen Jenkins, Lorna Wilkinson and Rose Lock.

 On the 29^th January 1981, there was a further sub-committee meeting held to discuss the way forward and it was decided to leave the development of the orchestra to Pat Read.  Rehearsals continued to be held on a weekly basis until the numbers (17) necessitated larger premises. The rehearsal venue moved to the Methodist Church School Room on 17^th February 1981 with Pat Read conducting the orchestra. During this time Maureen Jenkins said that interest had been shown by John Fuller in conducting the orchestra. He was contacted by Pat Read and invited to conduct the orchestra on a three month trial period commencing 26^th March, 1981. At the end of this period John Fuller was invited to become the conductor of the orchestra.

 As numbers increased and the School Room became too small, the Village Hall was used but the ceiling was too low and was acoustically uncomfortable! The Orchestra then moved to the Community Association premises in Swan Street. As numbers increased, a committee was elected and a formal constitution was adopted on 15^th July, 1981 for the membership of the Kingsclere Orchestra.

The Orchestra was one of the first contributors to the fund for building the Fieldgate Centre, and has made it's home there since that amenity opened.  It is interesting that, as well as John Fuller having continued to conduct, the Orchestra still contains 3 of the 5 original members, Enid Rylatt, Jackie Frith and Maureen Jenkins.

As is still the case with the Deane Sinfonia,  the Kingsclere Orchestra rehearsed every Monday during school terms in the Fieldgate Centre, Kingsclere.  Concerts were performed three times a year: the Christmas concert was of light orchestral music, often with a children's theme; the Easter concert was often of a choral work with the participation of members of local choirs; and in July a full symphony concert was usually played. The members paid a subscription for running and rehearsal costs and any profit made from concerts is donated to charity.