IBEW - Extinct Brass Bands

Extinct Brass Bands

Extinct Brass Bands

Of the many brass bands that have flourished in Britain over the last 150 years very few have documented records covering their history. This page is an attempt to collect together information about such bands and make it available to all. Over 3,900 extinct bands are recorded here. Where "active" dates are given these indicate documented appearances - the bands may well have existed beyond those dates quoted. Any contributions of material, information, pictures, or suggestions, references etc. are more than welcome. Where the material warrants it, a separate page or archive will be established for particular bands. Various bands have changed their names several times over the years, which makes tracking them down more difficult. Any details of "family tree" relationships between bands and their names will also be welcome. Finally, if any band appearing on this list is still active, please let me know!

See also Cornish Brass Bands for details of extinct Cornish bands
See also Brass Bands of British Columbia for details of vintage Canadian bands
See also Brass Bands Genealogy for information on current bands' dates of origin and name changes
See also Brass Band Ancestors for those seeking information on people and bands
See also Vintage Brass Band Pictures for images of early brass bands
See also Vintage People Pictures for images of early bandsmen (largely unnamed)
See Brass Band Historians and Researchers for details of those seeking information

Please send any additions, corrections, comments or material to

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1st Derby Company Boys Life Brigade Brass Band: Active in 1904
1st Lanark Rifle Volunteers Band: Originally a bugle band it eventually became a brass band for the second battalion of the regiment but had improved so much by 1887 that it was promoted to the band for the 1st Battalion, the professional band which had previously existed being done away with.
1st Renfrew and Dumbarton Artillery Volunteers Band: Formed in 1875 as the Working Boys Brass Band, became the Greenock Thistle Brass Band in 1876 and to the Volunteers in 1880. In 1879 it took part in a procession in August to inaugurate the Kilmarnock Burns Monument and Kay Park, accompanying the Oddfellows Lodge, who had gorgeous banners illustrative of the objects of the Order, and the fantastic robes and head gear of the officials attracted no little notice.
1st Volunteer Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers Band: See: Bury Public Silver Band
1st West York Yeomanry Band (Doncaster): Conducted for many years around 1900 by Lieutenant Samuel Suckley.
2nd Battalion Monmouth Regiment (T.A.) Band: Competed in the 1964 West of England Regional Championships (3rd Section), conducted by W.O.I. Roy Lee
2nd Cumberland Artillery Band: Active in 1864
2nd Lanarkshire Royal Engineers Band: See: Milnwood Brass Band
2nd Monmouthshire Regt. (TA) Band
2nd South Essex Boys' Brigade Band: Active in 1938
3rd Carrickfergus Boys' Brigade Band: Formed in 1958, under the direction of Mr D J McCartney. The band went from strength to strength and won the Marching Bands Competition in Belfast three years in a row as well as featuring in the major Brass Band contests throughout Northern Ireland. The Band eventually disbanded in 1968 as the boys got older and left the BB.
3rd L.A.V.(Chorley) Band: Active in 1884
3rd Monmouth Battalion Band: Active around 1909/1913
3rd Peeblesshire Volunteer Band
4th Durham Artillery Band: See: West Hartlepool Old Operatic Prize Silver Band
4th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers (Bacup) Band: See: Bacup Old Band
4th Nottingham Rifle Volunteers Band: Active in 1896, when on May 8th, under the direction of Bandmaster Belcher, they led the annual Volunteer Church Parade at the Priory Church and in the afternoon the band played a selection in the Marker Square.
4th Rifle Volunteers Royal Scots Band: Formed in 1868
5th Battalion Welch Regiment (T.A.) Band: Competed in the 1964 West of England Regional Championships (3rd Section), conducted by T.W. Morgan
5th Gloucestershire Royal Artillery Band: See: Clevedon Silver Band
5th Oxford Rifle Band
6th Battalion South Staffs Regiment Band (Wolverhampton): See: John Thompson Works Prize Band
6th Battalion Welch Regiment (T.A.) Band: Competed in the 1964 West of England Regional Championships (4th Section), conducted by Tom Jones
7th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (TA) Band (Bonnybridge): See: Bonnybridge Silver Band
10th Battalion Manchester Regiment Oldham Rifles Prize Band: See: Oldham Rifles Band
21st London Regiment Band (1st Surrey Rifles): Active in the 1930s
26th West Riding Home Guard Band: Active in the 1940s
32nd Lancashire Battalion Home Guard Band (Bacup): Active in 1940s
38th Battalion Cheshire Home Guard Band: Active in 1940s
41st Old Boys Band (Turnpike Lane, North London)
48th Lancashire Home Guard Band: Active in 1940s
82nd Wandsworth Squadron ATC BandA set of brass band instruments was given to the ATC. The Bandmaster was WO Johnstone-Harrhy who had been invalided out of the RAF Central Band, following 12 years service with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Band.
150th (Northumbrian) Column Territorial Army Band: See: West Hull Prize Band
176 (Heavy Battery) Royal Artillery (TA) Band: Formed in Harwich by those who left the Harwich Town Band in 1936. Bandmaster was Stan Whitmore. When the Territorals were called to the Colours, the members were dispersed and the band went out of existance after just 3 years.
256th Wessex Royal Artillery (TA) Band: Active around 1958/1960
383 Field Regiment R.A. (T.A.) Band: Competed in the 1962 West of England Regional Championships, conducted by W.O.I. Davies.

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AB Kettleby Brass Band: Active in the 1890s
Abbey Silver Prize Band (Gloucestershire): Active in 1928, when it played for dancing in the evening following the Royal Antediluvian Order of the Buffaloes Lodges' "Monster Fete and Rally" at Charfield Rectory on July 7th.
Abbot Memorial School Band (Gateshead): Active between 1905 and 1914. This Industrial & Reform was opened in 1891.
Abbots Bromley Brass Band: Formed in 1890s it survived at least until the end of WWI, but there is no local information on a subsequent closure date for the band.
Thanks to P.J. Charles for this information
Aber & Blaengwynfi Workmens Silver Band: Formed in 1892 and active through to the 1970s
Aber Valley Band: See: Windsor Colliery Workmen's Silver Band
Aberaman Original Silver Band (Glamorgan): Active around 1900/1909 and 1933/1948
Aberaman Silver Band: See: Aberaman Original Silver Band
Abercarn Welfare Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s and the Grand Shield in 1947
Abercynon Prize Silver Band: Active in the 1930s
Aberdare Town Band: Active in 1906, also known as Ysguborwen Brass Band
Aberdeen City Band: Founded in 1957 by a former conductor of the Stoneywood Band, Alexander Buchan. Some of the original members transferred from Stoneywood, finding it more convenient to attend practices in Aberdeen. Throughout the 1960's and 70's the City band was much in demand for concert appearances and had some notable successes in concerts. On two occasions the band took first place in the Scottish Championships, thus qualifying to play in the British finals in London. By the 90's however membership had declined to the point that the band had many more instruments than musicians, and the band merged with UDI Brass to form UDI Aberdeen City Band and also Aberdeen Community Band,
Aberdulais Tin Works Silver Band: T. Morgan was the conductor in 1922
Abergavenny Imperial Band
Abergavenny Temperance Band
Abergorchy Town Band: Active in 1918
Abergorky Workmen's Band: Active in 1928
Abergwynfi Brass Band
Aberkenfig & Tondu Band: See: Tondu & Aberkenfig Silver Band
Aberpergwm Brass Band (Glynneath): Formed in 1906 and conducted by Mr Thomas Sands - was a keen rival to the Glynneath Silver Band. It only lasted two years and folded around 1908.
Abertridwr Welfare Band: Active in 1948
Abertysswg Youth Silver Band: Competed in the 1964 West of England Regional Championships (4th Section), conducted by W.T. Davies
Abram Colliery Band: See Bickershaw Colliery Band
Ackton Hall Band: See: Ackton Hall and Snydale Workmens Band
Ackton Hall and Snydale Colliery Band: See: Ackton Hall and Snydale Workmens Band
Ackton Hall and Snydale Workmens Band: Active through the 1950s to early 1980s. Competed in the Junior Shield in 1962, conducted by T. Sellers
Acomb Brass Band (Northumberland): Active in 1864 when they played at the Hexham Flower Show in September, and in 1887
Acomb Colliery Band (Northumberland): Active in 1892.
Addingham Brass Band (near Ilkley): Active in the 1920s when they chanced to cause a little damage to school furniture during a concert given at the school.
Addlestone Excelsior Prize Band: See: Addlestone Temperance Band
Addlestone Temperance Band (Surrey): Formed in 1905, later became Addlestone Excelsior Prize Band and by the mid 1920s had become a mixed brass and woodwind ensemble and became known as Addlestone Military Band, later merged with Chertsey Town Silver Prize Band. See Woking Brass Band
Addlestone British Legion Band (Surrey): Formed in 1929
Adel Reformatory Brass Band (Leeds): Active in the 1880s. A typical story of one of the boys notes: "He was rescued from the demoralising custody of dissolute parents, and being placed in the band, speedily exhibited that passion for music and close application to the study of its principles which has led to his occupying the honourable position of bandmaster in Her Majesty's service." A visitor to the Reformatory in 1887 remarked: "I heard the well trained band perform a selection from "Masaniello". I have heard that particular excerpt performed by a goodly number of bands at one time and another, and I have heard it rendered by grown up musicians in a manner which would give no cause for envy to the band boys of the Reformatory at Adel. "
Afan Valley Workmen's Prize Band: Played at the ceremonial opening of Port Talbot Memorial Park on the 27th June 1925 at 3p.m.
Agecroft Colliery Band: See: Hulton Brass Band
Agnes Street Band: Formed in 1935 as the Agnes Street Temperance Silver Band, it amalgamated in 1994 with the C.W.S. Band to form the C.W.A. Brass Band
Aigburth Band: Active in 1930s
Aikton Brass Band (Cumberland): Active in June 1903, when it promoted the latest of a series of annual picinic and sports at Wiggonby. The bandmaster at the time was Mr Thompson.
Ainsworth Brass Band (Lancashire): Formed in November 1891 by Wm Norman Rayson. He had started earlier local bands at Breightmet Bleachworks, his place of work, and in the village of Ainsworth but both were short lived. In 1891 he again gathered together some local musicians and Ainsworth Brass Band was formed. In the mid 1890's the band was engaged to play at Bolton ice rink at the bottom of Chorley Old Road. The bandsmen would walk to Bolton and then at the end of the evening walk back at one or two o'clock in the morning, back to Ainsworth village. Often they would pause on their way home through the fields and enjoy an informal concert. Their best soloists would play and sing and the whole band would thoroughly enjoy themselves. On one November 5th the band found a deserted bonfire still burning. They gathered round and played 'Hail smiling Morn', the band serenaded the neighbourhood for a while before marching off to a lively quick march!
They changed their name to Ainsworth Public Subscription Band in 1946 after having been disbanded during the war. In the 1950's the band took sponsorship from a local firm and changed its name to the Irwell Forge Band. They were sponsored by Airtours the travel company in 1986. Following difficult trading conditions the sponsorship deal ended in 1989. Due to its Bury roots, and the fact that Bury Silver Band were not playing at that time, the band was renamed as Bury Brass Band. They played on under that name until 1997 when the band eventually folded due to lack of a fixed affordable rehearsal space and being down to twelve members. Conductors have included C. H. Partington (1933-38), Harry Hodgson (1938-48) and Frank Kay (c. 1950)
Air Rifle Club Band: Active in 1931
Airedale Brass Band (Bradford)
Ainsworth Public Subscription Band: See: Ainsworth Brass Band
Airdrie Union Band: The Airdrie Union Band was founded in 1819 and survived to celebrate its centenary as the Airdrie Old Union Band. Originally it was a mixed brass and reed instrument band. Around 1860 - to the disgust of some members - it converted to being a full brass band. Among its many concerts it played at functions and marches of many of the town's friendly societies, trade societies and Masonic lodges. Shortly after the Band's formation it was reputed to have been involved in the political parades and demonstrations around Airdrie which were part of the nationwide movement of Radical agitation in late 1819 and early 1820. The formation of the Band may even have been connected with this movement. (The Articles of the Band give the false impression that it was founded in November 1820). In 1871 Wm. Donaldson, who had been conductor for fifty-two years, died. The band then became dormant, but was resuscitated in 1872; began to compete 1879; to 1888 had attended fourteen contests, and won prizes value £80. Records of the band, from 1836-1910, are held by the North Lanarkshire Council Archives. These include a Roll Book, 1836-c 1905; typed transcript of the Articles of the Airdrie Union Band with annotations, c 1910; Handwritten notes (by James Knox?) concerning Airdrie Union Band, 1875; Records concerning the purchase of new instruments for the Airdrie Old Union Silver Band including correspondence, a band list, extracts from accounts and receipts, 1907-1909.
Airdrie Old Union Silver Band: See: Airdrie Union Band
Aislaby Brass Band: Active in 1859 when it took part in the Lofthouse Grand Village Band Contest in November that year. It was conducted by R Corney, had 9 performers, and played La Somnambula by Bellini and the test piece, Grand Parade March by Jones.
Akroyd's Brass Band (Halifax)
Albany Brass Band (Australia): Active in 1950
Albert Edward Operatic Band: Formed in 1898
Albert Foundry Works Band (N. Ireland): Folded before 1950, when its instruments were sold to the new Ballyduff Silver Band
Albert Hill Band: Active in 1913
Albert Institute Brass Band (Cambridge): Active around 1885. G.H. Kirkup played the baritone at that time in the band.
Albert Memorial Band (Manchester): Active in 1887
Albion Dockyard Silver Band (Bristol): Active until 1966 when it merged with the then Kingswood Hill Silver Band.
Aldeburgh Town Band (Suffolk): Active in 1892 when James Fisher was secretary.
Alderbury Band: The band existed in the early 1900s. The local Methodist chapel had its music led by a number of these local musicians. The Fry family, who founded the first Salvation Army band in Salisbury, did so shortly after they moved there from Alderbury, and had played regularly in the Alderbury chapel.
Alderholt Silver Prize Band: Active in 1935
Alderley Edge Band: Active in 1920s and 1930s
Alderson Band (Stockton): Active in 1890
Alderton Band (Gloucestershire): Active in 1962
Aldington Band (Worcestershire): Active in 1901 when it received £3 15s. 0d. from the parish to pay the balance due for their new instruments and also 8s. for new music. In July that year John Roberts, a returning soldier from the Boer War, was met by the band at the entrance to the village, and escorted in triumph to his home.
Aldridge Colliery Silver Prize Band: Formed in 1920 after the Walsall Wood Temperance Band went bankrupt. The band practised in a large garage in Brookland Road. Mr Tom Smith was the conductor in the 1920's. Arthur Reeves was the band secretary and also played the trombone. Other players were J Breeze, B Snape, Bradford, J Welsh, and E Westwood. It is believed they performed in a short radio concert on BBC radio in the 1930's. The band joined with Bloxwich British Legion Band and Bescot Band during the Second World War to form the Walsall Home Guard Band. This was disbanded after the war. The Aldridge Colliery Band continued after the War, to disband in 1950.
Aldridge Town Band
Alford Excelsior Band (Lincolnshire): Active in 1912
Alfreton Church Brass Band: Active in 1895 when William Williams was conductor
Allendale Town Silver Band (Northumberland): Active between 1904 and 1938
Allenheads Band (Northumberland): Active in 1931
Allerton Bywater Colliery Band: Active in the 1980s
Allerton Colliery Band: Active in the 1950s
Alliance Band (Leeds): Active in 1872
Alliance Brass (South London): Formed in September 2000 by two ex-students of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama: Lewis Edney and Ben Ellin. The aim of the band was to allow students in London to play together in an ensemble that they might not otherwise have been able to experience. The band was originally conducted by Ben Ellin, then by John Clark from 2003. Following promotion to the Championship Section in 2002, they qualified Finals in 2003 and 2004 and won the Senior Trophy in 2005. They disbanded in 2008
Alloa Burgh Band (Clackmannanshire): Formed 1875 following the disbanding of the 1st Clackmannanshire Rifle Volunteer Band. In 1881 it attended the first contest held at Wemyss Castle and won first prize. Had won seventeen prizes totalling £249 by 1888, when they were conducted by George Irvine. Between then and 1894 it secured 29 first places and 13 seconds and had an income of £3000. Won the Scottish Championships in 1897. They were also the first band to engage an English conductor, Richard Marsden (1889-92). Merged with Alva Town Band in 1991 to form Clackmannan District Brass Band. The minutes, cash books and abstracts of accounts with bandmasters' reports, 1888-1951, are held in the Clackmannanshire Council Archives. Previous conductors included: John McBeath (1875), Richard Marsden (1889), J. E. Robinson (1892), W. Swingler (1904), Mr. Ogsden (1906) and H. Muddiman (1907-46)
Alloa Burgh Instrumental Band: See: Alloa Burgh Band
Alloa Colliery Band (Clackmannanshire): Formed 10th September 1881. Conductor in 1888 was John McBeath
Alltwen Silver Band: Active in 1903
Alma Colliery Band (Pelton): Active in 1907
Alma Tube Works Band (Birmingham): Active in 1864
Almondbury Brass Band (Huddersfield): Active in 1933, when they appointed James Macdonald as bandmaster, replacing R. Readshaw.
Alnwick Town Band (Northumberland): Active between 1904 and 1913
Alpaca Temperance Band (Bradford)
Alpha Tube Works Band (Walsall): Active in 1865, when they played at the Cottage Hospital Gala in August.
Alresford Silver Band: Formed in 1910 as Alresford United Brass Band. With a few gaps during the two world wars and another in the 1950s, it finally reformed in 1963, but did not last long as many key players, who belonged to the Prince of Wales Own Regiment, were posted overseas and the band folded for the last time. The bandmaster during 1934-1938 was FW Watsham. For more details, see Grandad Played The Cornet: A History of Brass Bands in North East Essex, by David Cawdell.
Alston Band: Formed around 1850. May have been renamed to the Alston (Mountain Rifles) Volunteer Band, which in turn became Alston Town Band around 1902. It became a Home Guard band during WW2 and performed its last public engagement in 1946. It was finally wound up in 1960. For further details see Brass Bands on Alston Moor
Alston (Mountain Rifles) Volunteer Band: See: Alston Band
Alston Town Band: See: Alston Band
Alstonefield Band (Staffs): Active in 1867. It may have folded sometime thereafter as an attempt at reviving the band was made in 1901.
Alstonefield Village Band (Staffs): Formed in 1914, its instruments were paid for by public subscription, and it still existed in 1920.
Altarnun Brass Band (North Cornwall): Situated west of Launceston, this band was formed c1864 and is known to have carried out engagements up to 1891. A known conductor was G Clifford (who was also conducting Launceston DCR Band). He finished with both bands in 1891 and was succeeded at Altarnun by J Deacon.
Altofts and Whitwood Collieries Band: Active in 1962, when it competed in the Senior Trophy, conducted by C. Wilkinson
Altofts West Riding and Silkstone Colliery Prize Band (West Yorkshire): Formed 1890 by Sir William Garforth. Conductors included: N. Sidebottom, J. Dyson, G. Walsh and Cyril Wilkinson (1950)
Altofts West Riding Colliery Band: See: Altofts West Riding and Silkstone Colliery Prize Band
Altrincham Borough Band (Cheshire): Active in the 1890s and 1930s
Altrincham Borough Prize Band: Active in 1910 and 1927
Altrincham Prize Band (Cheshire): Active around 1914, from a picture showing "the band heading a procession, followed by the Local Branch of the Independent Order of Oddfellows entering Railway Street from George Street with the Woolpack Hotel on the left and The Stamford Arms on the right."
Alva Town Silver Band (Clackmannanshire): Formed as a military band in the 1830s. Became defunct in 1871 and was reformed as a brass band. A prolonged strike in the weaving trade broke it up, but it was resuscitated in 1876. Began contesting in 1879 and by 1888 had competed 28 times, winning 25 prizes totalling £400. Still active in 1950
Alvaston and Boulton Prize Band
Alverstoke Oasis Band: This band was from Alverstoke School and was formed from members of the Old Alverstoke Scholars Improvement Society
Alvechurch Brass Band (Worcestershire): Active in the early 1900s. Played regularly in the Square on Saturday evenings during the summer months. Some of the members who played in the band were Blundell Snr, Blundell Jnr, Tommy Jenkins, Jack Truman, Walter Surman and his son, Mr Merryfield and Ben Court. The band was always in attendance at fetes and garden parties, and made a tour of the big houses to play carols at Christmas time. Their most important engagement was, without doubt, to play at the horse show held on Whit Monday.
Alvescot Band
Alveston Band (Gloucestershire)
Alvin Walkden Brass Band: See: Walkden Brass Band
Amalgamated Miners Association Band (Australia)
Amble and Radcliffe Colliery Brass Band: See: Radcliffe & Pilkington Public Brass Band
Amble Town Band (Northumberland): Active in 1907. Merged with Radcliffe Colliery Brass Band in the 1930s to form Amble and Radcliffe Colliery Brass Band
Ambleside Town Band (Cumberland): Active around the 1900s
Amers Band (Mr. H. G.) (Newcastle?): Active around 1906
Amersham Band: Founded in 1890 as Amersham Sons of Temperance Brass Band, disbanded around WW2. A successor band was formed in 1977
Amersham Sons of Temperance Band: See: Amersham Band
Amesbury Temperance Brass Band: Formed in 1905, merged with Amesbury Town Brass Band in 1912
Amoco Band: See: Crookhall Colliery Band
Ancoats Lads Club Senior Band: Active in early 1950s
Angus (Sir W) Band (Newcastle): Active around 1919, linked to Sir W. Angus Sunderland & Co. Ltd.
Annfield Plain Band: Active in 1887
Annan Town Band: See Newbie Engineering Works Multitubular Brass Band
Annbank Brass Band: Active in 1879, when it took part in a procession in August to inaugurate the Kilmarnock Burns Monument and Kay Park, leading the Free Gardeners lodge, who were about 300 strong, and the band were seated in a lorry drawn by six horses, and decorated with evergreens and flowers so as to five it the appearance of a flower garden.
Annfield Plain Band: See: Annfield Plain Colliery Band
Annfield Plain Colliery Band (County Durham): Active in 1887 and also 1931
Anstey Band: Active in 1933
Anston Brass Band (Rotherham): Active in 1925
Ansty Band (Wiltshire): Active in the early 1900s
Appleby Prize Brass Band (Cumbria): Notice of the Appleby and North Westmorland Agricultural Society's 15th. Annual Show, 1905 - "The Appleby Prize Brass Band in attendance. Special train arrangements!"
Appleby-Frodingham Steel Works Band (Scunthorpe, Lincs): Formed in 1946 when the company bought the assets of a local subscription band. Active through the 1940s/50s/60s. Conductor in 1950 was William H. Kendall. Secretary: A. Peace
Appledore Town Band: There are records of a brass band in Appledore a far back as the 1880s. It existed until the 1920s when lack of support and players caused it to be disbanded.
Appleton Brass Band (Appleton-le-Moors)
Ardington & Lockinge Band (Berkshire): Active in the 1920s
Ardingly Brass Band (Sussex): In existence in 1893, played at Clinton Lodge, Fletching, Friday 2nd August 1912. An archive document from 1896 exists "Draft of Agreement for the dissolution of the two Ardingly Brass Bands and the formation of a fresh Ardingly Brass Band"
Ardley and Fewcott Band (Bicester, Oxfordshire): Active in 1950
Ardsley Provincial Band (Barnsley)
Areal Griffin Band (Abertilley, South Wales): Active around 1900
Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (TA) Band, 7th: See: 7th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (TA) Band
Arkendale Brass Band: See: Arkengarth Dale Band
Arkengarthdale Brass Band: See: Arkengarth Dale Band
Arkengarth Dale Band (Gunnerside, Yorkshire): Active in 1907. Also active in 1884, when it led a procession on Christmas Eve.
Arlesey Prize Band (Bedfordshire): Active in 1898 and rehearsed in the Arlesley Working Mens' Institute
Arley Adult School Band: Active in the 1920s
Arley Brass Band: Active in 1916
Arley Welfare Band: Active in 1953
Armadale Brass Band [1]: Formed in 1855, but folded in the early 1860s. See: Armadale Brass Bands for more details
Armadale Brass Band [2]: Formed in 1873 and folded c. 1903. See: Armadale Brass Bands for more details
Armadale Brass Band [3]: Formed in September 1932 composed of players who did not join the Armadale Public Band. A proposal to join with the Armadale Public Band was made a year later, in 1933
Armadale Diamond Jubilee Band: Formed in 1897 from the original Armadale Flute Band (1873), but also folded around 1903. See: Armadale Brass Bands for more details
Armadale Public Band: Active in 1928 and 1966
Armadale Town Band: Formed in 1905. Active in 1912, but folded sometime prior to 1931. See also: Armadale Brass Bands.
Armbank Brass Band: Active in 1872, when they participated in the celebrations for the opening of the new Orange Hall in Irvine.
Armley & Wortley Band (Leeds): Active in the 1900s and 1950s
Armstrong Whitworth Steelworks (Openshaw) Band (Manchester): Active in the 1920s
Armthorpe High School Band: Active in the 1970s, but had folded by 1980
Arnghyll and Cowley Colliery Band: Active in 1907. The colliery was owned by Cargo Iron Fleet Works in Middlesbrough
Arnold Albion Brass Band
Arnold United Prize Band: Active in 1922
Arsenal Football Club Band: See: Highgate Silver Band
Arthur Newsome Public Works Band: Active in 1930s
Artigarvan Band (Strabane)
Arundel Town Boys' Band: Active around 1880
Arundel Town Brass Band: Flourished between the 1860s and 1890s, regularly playing in the market place and in the castle grounds during the summer, and touring several times in France; the Blackman family which ran it were involved in other aspects of Arundel's musical life over three generations: the church choir from the later 19th century, a dance band, and a concert party which performed over a wide hinterland in the 20th century.
ASDA Hambleton Brass Band: Active in 1990
Ashbourne Rechabites Band: Active in 1889
Ashbourne Volunteer Band: Active in 1889
Ashby Brass Band: Took part in the Winterton Sports & Gala on 28 June 1919
Ashby Public Subscription Band (Lincolnshire): Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Ashby Silver Prize Band (Lincolnshire): See: Ashby Public Subscription Band
Ashdown Forest Temperance Band (Sussex): The Band was formed in 1902 and consisted mainly of musicians from Nutley and Fairwarp with a practice hut midway between the two villages. They provided a great deal of local entertainment until in 1911 when they split, 'by amicable decision', into two seperate bands and the bandsmen formed up outside the band-hut and the two halves marched off playing in opposite directions, dividing into the Nutley Brass Band led by Charlie Wickham, and the Fairwarp Brass Band led by Ernie Best. The musicians were not very temperate at all. They liked a 'drop of sherbert', sherbert being a generic term for all alcoholic drinks; 'going off to have a glass of sherbert' sounded less indulgent than having a glass of beer, although it fooled no-one. "One time the band was going to a fete at Fairwarp and the easiest way to get from Nutley to Fairwarp was through the Forest. Well, on the way through the Forest, one of these cornet players, 'e wanted to relieve himself, so he laid his cornet down, and then when they got to the fete, he started blowing his cornet and he couldn't get no sound out of it, you see. So he pulled the turning slide out of it, and when he'd laid it down, a little adder had crawled in that bell of the cornet and got down into that tuning slide. Yeh! It wouldn't have got into his mouth because it couldn't get up through the valves where you press them down, but when he sees that adder come out!"
Another report from the early part of the century notes: "A procession headed by Mr H W Attenborough as Mephistopheles, riding a horse, followed by the Ashdown Temperance Prize Band, went to the vicarage and to Strood, then to the Sheffield Arms where there was a halt for refreshments. With a fresh supply of torches and coloured lights, and joined by many more people, the procession arrived at Sheffield House where his Lordship, who was indisposed, watched from his bedroom. The evening ended with effigies of Guy Fawkes and the New Woman, a suffragette, being consumed by the flames of the bonfire at Splaynes Green."
Thanks to Graham Vincent www.fletchingbonfiresociety.co.uk for these details. Joseph Ridley (b 1842) was a very good self-taught carpenter. When the Ashdown Forest Temperance Band was formed, he built them a tin practice hut in one of his fields, an orchard at Horney Common, at a rent of one shilling a week. Frank Tyler Ridley was a founder member (with his brother Spencer) and secretary of the Ashdown Forest Temperance Band in 1904 and later, after the split with the Fairwarp members of that Band he was secretary of the Nutley Band.
Ashford Railway Works Prize Band
Ashford Residential School Brass Band (Kent): Active in the early 1900s
Ashford Town Band (Kent)
Ashgrove Band: Formed in 1979 as Ashgrove Primary School Band. Merged with Oldpark Silver Band in 2000. Merged with the C.W.A. Brass in 2009 to form Carrick With Ashgrove Brass
Ashgrove Primary School Band: See: Ashgrove Band
Ashington Colliery Band: Active in the late 1800s. A successor band is active today
Ashington Duke Band: Active in 1892
Ashington Model Band: Active in 1898
Ashton Borough Band
Ashton-in-Makerfield Band
Ashton-on-Mersey Band: Active in 1933
Ashton Under Lyne Brass Band: Folded in the early 1980s. A successor band was formed in 1996
Ashtonian Brass Band: Active in 1979
Ashwell Brass Band: See: Ashwell Foresters Band
Ashwell Foresters Band (Hertfordshire): Active c. 1890 and into the early 1900s
Askern Band: Active in the 1930s
Aspatria Colliery Prize Band (Cumbria): Active in 1930
Aspatria Volunteer Fire Brigade Brass Band (Cumbria): Active in 1895, when Joseph Wilkinson was the Secretary
Aspatria Town Band (Cumbria): Active around 1957 - 1964
Astley Brass Band: Active in 1911
Astley Missionary Band (Warwickshire): Active in 1936
Astley Public Band (Manchester): Competed in a contest in Leigh in 1884
Astley Victoria Brass Band (Manchester): Active in the 1880s, but did not survive beyond 1887.
Aston Brass Band: Active in the 1930s
Aston Parish Band: Active in 1936
Aston Silver Band (Aston-on-Trent): Active in 1945
Auchinleck Academy Silver Band
ATC Bristol Wing Silver Band (Bristol): Active in 1950
ATM Works Band: Formed in September 1941 from employees of Messrs. Automatic Telephone & Electric Co. Ltd., under the auspices of Mr F.C. Burstall, one of the company directors. The first bandmaster was Mr W. Heath, but had to pass the baton to George Gardner, due to ill health, by 1943. Still active in 1951 when they competed in the Championship section North West regional championships at the Victoria Hall, Bolton, conducted by W.H. Yates
Atherstone Band: Active in 1905, conducted by Mr J. B. Coxon
Atherstone Miners Welfare Band: Disbanded in 1966
Atherton Temperance Prize Band: Records of the band, from 1927-1959, are held by Wigan MBC Archives Service
Atherton Public Band: Active in the 1930s/40s. Competed in the First Annual Brass Band Contest organised by Wigan Borough Prize Band in 1943 (conducted by A Fairclough).
Atlas Copco (Dacorum) Band: See: John Dickinson (Apsley) Band
Attercliffe & Darnall Band: Active in 1943
Attercliffe Club and Institute Band: See: Attercliffe Institute Band
Attercliffe Institute Band: Active in 1930s
Auburn Mechanics Institute Band (Melbourne, Australia): Thought to have played a role in the formation of the first Hawthorn City Band in 1888
Auchinairn Brass Band: Active in the late 1800s
Auchinleck Band: Active in 1905, when they gained 3rd place in the Ayrshire Brass Band Association contest on 1 September.
Auchtermuchty Town Band (Fife): Active in 1928 and 1950, conducted by John Faulds
Auckland Park Colliery Band (County Durham): Active between 1891 and 1920
Auckland Silver Band (Bishop Auckland, County Durham): Active in the early 1900s
Audley and District Band: Split away from Audley Brass Band then remerged in 1970s
Audenshaw and Droylsden Band: Active in 1887
Austwick Brass Band
Auxiliary Fire Service Band (Burton-on-Trent): Active during World War 2
Avon County Youth Brass Band: Active in the 1970s/80s
Avon Street Gas Works Band (Bristol): Active in 1861
Avro Works Band: Active in 1940s
Awre Brass Band (Gloucestershire): Formed before 1843 and was in regular demand for events in the Forest area during the mid 19th century
Axminster Evening Institute Silver Band (Devon): Formed 1942 when Axminster Higher Education Committee took over the instruments previously used by the disbanded Axminster Town Band. Still active in 1950, conducted by C. E. Turner.
Axminster Town Band (Devon): Disbanded 1937
Axwell Park Colliery Band (Newcastle): Active in 1907
Aycliffe Brass Band: See: Newton Aycliffe Town Band
Aylesbury Borough Band: Active in the 1920s
Aylesbury Printing Works Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Aylesford Brass Band (Kent): Active around 1905
Aylesham and Snowdown Band: Active in 1960
Aylesham Silver Prize Band: Active in the 1930s
Ayr Benwhat Band: See: Benwhat Silver Band
Ayr Burgh Band (Ayrshire).: Active in 1950
Ayresome Quoit Club Band (Middlesbrough): Active in the 1920s
Ayton Band (Great Ayton): Active in 1906

B
B.I. Silver Band: Active in 1947
B.I.H.C. (British Insulated and Helsby Cables) Band: Active in the 1920s when the conductor was Mr. W. Boots.
Backworth Collieries Workmen's Band: Active in 1938
Bacup Change Band: Active in 1885
Bacup Old Band: Formed in 1858 as the Broadclough Band then the 4th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers (Bacup) Band in 1859. Through the 1860s a very successful run of contesting gave the Bacup Band a huge following in the local area. It left the Volunteers in 1870 and became the Bacup Old Band, only to disband in 1871 or 1872.
Bagillt Industrial Brass Band (Flintshire): Active in 1896
Bagley's (Bottle Works) Brass Band: Also known as Knottingley (Bagleys) Glass Works Band (?)
Bagthorpe Band (Nottinghamshire): Active around 1910
Baildon Band (Yorkshire): Often practised out of doors in summer on Baildon Moor at the junction of the Hawksworth and Bingley roads where there were a number of seats
Baillieston Silver Band: Founded May 1874. In 1888 they had attended two contests; won two prizes, value £5. The then conductor was Mr. W. B. Howell; Bandmaster 1st L.R.V.; a member of band of 92nd Highlanders who rose to be band-sergeant; studied at Kneller Hall. Settled in Glasgow; seventeen years bandmaster of the 6th L.R.V. before receiving this appointment. Taught several brass bands. Still active in 1950
Bainbridge Brass Band (Yorkshire): Active in 1911 when the band played all afternoon at Middleham castle for the Coronation celebrations of King George V, and then had to play for a dance in the evening at the castle. After the dance they travelled by waggonette to Leyburn Railway station arriving at 4.30 am. They had to wait over an hour for the train back to Askrigg. To make the walk to Bainbridge seem easier they decided to march back playing their instruments. They arrived in Bainbridge at 6.00am and proceeded through the village still playing their instruments waking everyone up who was within earshot of the band. After a good breakfast the band played for the rest of the day at Bainbridge for their Coronation celebrations
Bairnsdale Brass Band (Victoria, Australia): Formed in 1875, but only lasted a few years
Bairnsdale Brass Band (Victoria, Australia): Formed in 1908, but only lasted a few years
Bairnsdale Fire Brigade Band (Australia)
Bala Brass Band: Active in 1948
Bala Silver Band: Active in 1890s
Bala Town Band: Active in 1965
Balderstone Band: Folded around 1925 when its instruments were bought by the Flookburgh Band.
Balderstone Brass Band: Active in the 1970s?
Baldwin's Workmen's Band (Kenfig): Active in 1928 and 1948
Balgonie Colliery Band (Fife): Active in 1933
Ballochmyle Band: Active in 1905, when they gained 5th place in the Ayrshire Brass Band Association contest on 1 September.
Ballymacarriff Band
Ballymena Silver Band: Active in 1952
Ballynahinch Temperance Silver Band (Northern Ireland): Competed in the Junior Shield in 1962, conducted by E. Crozier.
Balwest Brass Band (Kerrier, Cornwall): In 1868 this band was reported playing at a Sunday school procession and tea treat, then no more can be found of them. So was this a group of brass players who got themselves together to help this Sunday school?
Bampton Brass Band (Oxfordshire): Active in 1907 when F.W. Taunt was the conductor. It had been established by 1869 when disagreement erupted with the vicar over custody of its new bass drum.
Bampton Town Band (Devon): Records of the band, from 1909-1969, are held by Devon Record Office.
Bampton Volunteer Band (Devon): Active in 1896, when it gave a concert in Wellington
Banbury Borough Band (Oxfordshire): Active in the 1920s
Banbury Borough Silver Band: Formed in 1957, but broke up a year later through lack of interest.
Banbury Brass Band (Oxfordshire): Active in 1845
Banbury Britannia Works Band: Active in 1873
Banbury British Legion Band (Oxfordshire): Active in the 1920s
Banbury Rifle Corps Band (Oxfordshire): Active in the 1860/70s
Banbury Teetotal Band (Oxfordshire): From Trinders 'Victorian Banbury', p.71: "In 1844, a Teetotal Brass Band was practising in the Temperance Rooms (Parsons Street)". Also still active in the 1860/70s
Banbury Town Band (Oxfordshire): Active in the 1860/70s
Band of the 35th Rifle Volunteer Corps: See: Marriner's Band
Band of the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary (Exeter): Stepping out on the musical beat in early 1976, the band established an enviable reputation for high quality entertainment - be it in village or concert halls, parish churches or cathedrals, garden fetes or city streets. It was a sad farewell on the 17th December 2004 when the Band played its final concert to a capacity audience at The University Great Hall, Exeter.
Band of the Farnworth Cotton Mills: See: Farnworth Old Band
Band of the Metropolitan Electric Tramways: A military-style band, not exclusively brass
Band of the Middlesex Royal Army Medical Corps: See: Highgate Silver Band
Band of the Scottish Gas Board: See: Scottish Gas Board Band
Band of the Tees Division Submariners Royal Engineers: See: Milburn's Model Band
Band of the Territorial Army 5th Battalion: See: Bury Public Silver Band
Band of the Royal Eastern Counties Asylum: Took part in the Colchester Carnival in 1934/36/37, conducted by A Wright
Band of the Worksop Rifle Volunteers: 1871 was a busy year for the Band of the Worksop Rifle Volunteers. In the 20th May edition of the Worksop, Retford and Gainsborough Times, it was reported that the 2nd detachment of the 7th Hussars arrived in Worksop, en route from York to Aldershot. They arrived in Worksop on the Saturday and stayed until Sunday. At 10.00am they paraded in front of the Corn Exchange and marched off to the Abbey Church. The Band of the Worksop Rifle Volunteers kindly lent their services.
On June 3rd of the same year, the Whit Monday processions were headed by three Benefit Societies. The Golden Ball Club was headed by the Band of the Worksop Rifle Volunteers, and on reaching Wheat Sheaf, the Wheat Sheaf Club fell in and was headed by the Harthill Band. Subsequently both Clubs joined the Abbey Sick and Friendly Society, the whole forming an interesting procession, and were marched to the Abbey Church where a very appropriate service was preached by the Reverend E.Hawley.
Banknock Band: See:Banknock Colliery Band
Banknock Colliery Band: Formed in May 1912 by the miners in the village of Dennyloanhead, Stirlingshire. Active in 1928
Bannockburn Colliery Band: Active c. 1928 and 1950
Banstead Cottage Home Boys Band: Active in 1902. The Cottage Homes were erected in 1878-80 to a design by A & C Harston and were described as giving the impression of "a well-designed model village, delightfully placed amid country surroundings of woodland and downs." The buildings occupied a narrow strip of land alongside a railway line, although the elevated postion of the site was said to provide views of Windsor Castle. An account of the buildings from 1898 states: "The entrance gates and porter's lodge are 50 yards from the middle of a fine main drive (about 600 yards in length), on either side of which are ranged the 23 detached homes or cottages for the children. In the centre of this drive lie the administrative and school buildings, consisting of the residence of the superintendent and matron, a house for the school staff, the stores or "village shop," the bakery, laundry, and swimming bath; three schools, two on the north side for boys and girls (a new girls' school has just been added with a covered playground for boys and girls beneath it), and the other on the south side for infants, and the detached chapel. Immediately at the right of the entrance, are two probationary homes, one for girls and one for boys, together capable of holding 40 children, while further to the right, on either side of the drive, are the nine cottages for boys, with accommodation for 40 in each. To the extreme right, a fine bandroom, which is to form part of a future drillroom and gymnasium, has been lately erected at the cost of some £800. On the left of the entrance and central buildings, the 14 girls' and infants' cottages are ranged, with 26 beds in each ; again to the left of these, come the infirmary with 30 beds, and the infectious block with 18 beds; and beyond these blocks lie the present boys' playfield and a large kitchen garden...."
Baptist Centenary Band (Wellington): See: South Street Baptist Band
Bardney St Lawrence Band (Lincolnshire)
Bardney Temperance Band (Lincolnshire): Active around 1910
Bardon Mill Colliery Band (Northumberland): Active between 1906 and 1947. Probably the same as Bardon Mill Silver Band
Bardon Mill Silver Band (Northumberland): Active in 1956-70
Barking and Dagenham Playleaders Band: Active in the 1970s. Remaining players help to form the Becontree Brass Band in 1981
Barking Concert Band: Active in the 1970s, previously called Dagenham Silver Band. Remaining players help to form the Becontree Brass Band in 1981
Barking Town Band: Active in the 1880s
Barlestone Band: Active in 1950 and 1964. Ran into difficulties around 1994 and decided to amalgamate with the City of Leicester Band in 1995. Unfortunately, after much effort by many of the players, this didn't work and the combined band decided to call it a day at the end of 1996.
Barlestone Silver Band: See: Barlestone Band
Barlow Band (Selby)
Barmouth Band: Active in 1948
Barnard Castle Subscription Band: The foundation stone of a stone arched bridge was laid at Whorlton, in June 1829, amidst considerable celebrations, with the usual "vast concourse of people" in attendance, as well as the Barnard Castle Subscription Band. After the formal laying of the foundation stone, the ladies who were present: 'retired, and took of a cold collation; and the gentlemen were entertained by the Rev J. Potts; and an excellent dinner and tea was provided for the parishioners' The Barnard Castle subscription band attended on the occasion. On July 7, 1831, "this elegant structure" in Whorlton was opened. The local people were so confident in its safety that a long procession stomped across it. The Barnard Castle Subscription Band led the way, followed by John Green. Then on horseback came the Whorlton bridge committee, led by the Venerable Archdeacon Headlam, followed by 27 carriages. Sundry other carriages and pedestrians brought up the rear.
Barnes' Band: See: Farnworth Old Band
Barnes' Home Industrial School Band: Active in 1910 and 1911 when it played in various parks in Salford. The school was erected, in Didsbury Road, Heaton, by the late Robert Barnes Esq., in 1871 for the education and training of neglected and destitute children under the provisions of the industrial schools act of 1866
Barnet Town Prize Band: See: Barnet Town Silver Band
Barnet Town Silver Band: Founded 1889 as High Foresters Brass Band. Renamed Barnet Town Band by 1899, known as Barnet Town Prize Band around 1907/1910, and Barnet Town Silver Prize Band in 1948. Became a concert/wind band in recent years.
Barnsley Band: Active between 1854 and 1882
Barnsley Borough Prize Band: Active in the 1900s
Barnsley Chronicle Band: Folded before 1993
Barnsley Co-operative Society Band
Barnsley Corporation Band
Barnsley Music Centre Band: Active in the 1970s and 1980s
Barnsley National Reserve Band: Active in the 1910s
Barnsley Rifles Band
Barnsley Temperance Band
Barnsley Volunteers Band: Active 1880s
Barrack Street Brass Band (Ireland)
Barrier Citizen's Band (Australia)
Barrington Brass Band (Somerset): Active in 1882 when it played at the anniversary of Hambridge Benevolant Society.
Barrington Church Band (Cambridgeshire): Active in 1874
Barrington Colliery Band: Active in 1898. Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Band records are held in the Northumberland County Record Office. Changed name to Bedlington Colliery Band in 1936
Barrow Bridge Band (Bolton): During the Prince of Wales' visit to Bolton in 1873 he was shown around the 'model' village of Barrow Bridge. He was greeted by the works brass band, which played him several tunes.
Barrow Britannia Band (Cumbria): Amalgamated with Barton Town Prize Band in the 1960s
Barrow Hill & Staveley United Prize Band: See: Staveley Works Band
Barrow Hill & Staveley Works Silver Prize Band: See: Staveley Works Band
Barrow Hill Prize Band,: See: Staveley Works Band
Barrow Labour Silver Band: Active in 1928
Barrow Primitive Methodist Brass Band: Active in the 1880s
Barrow Youth Brass Band: Disbanded in 2008. It was originally the junior section of the old Vickers shipyard band but broke away when the shipyard band and BAE parted company. Band officials gave away the remaining money the band had in the bank, plus the cash it raised from selling its musical instruments and other equipment, to other local youth bands.
Barrow-in-Furness Youth Clubs Band: Active in 1940s
Barrow-on-Soar Brass Band (Leicestershire): Active in 1899 with Samuel Darby, bandmaster, living in North Street
Barry Silver Band (South Glamorgan): Active in 1925
Barry Town Band (South Glamorgan): Active in 1911
Barry Ostlere & Shepherd Band: Formed in 1902 by the Barry Ostlere & Shepherd jute/linoleum company in Kirkaldy. The Band had many successes in Scotland and survived until the mid 1960s when the plant was closed.
Bartley's Barrier Brass Band (Australia)
Barton Brass Band (Bedfordshire): Active in 1907
Barton Cycle Works Band (Cumbria): Formed in 1904 by Mr F Hopper Snr. It had many successes in competition, the most notable being the Contest held at the Crystal Palace in London where they gained a 3rd and 4th place in the years around 1907. Unfortunately on another occasion they had a few too many trips to the Public Bar and acted with an "unfortunate lack of sobriety" disgracing themselves on the contest platform. This caused their sponsor, F Hopper to gather them in the Cycle Works yard confiscating their instruments and ritually burning thier uniforms before them - an inglorious end to a once fine band. Probably folded during WW1
Barton Hall Works Band: See: Barton Ropery Band
Barton Hall Works Band (2): Active in the 1940s
Barton Model Band: See: Barton Ropery Band
Barton Ropery Band (Cumbria): Formed in 1873 by Hall's Ropery Works. Later known as Barton Model Band. Probably folded during WW1
Barton Town Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Barton's Brass Band (Preston): Formed in the 1890s by Councillor Barton who owned a Manufacturing Confectionery Works. Later known as Barton's Prize Band, in 1919, when they rehearsed in the Heart of Oak, Adelphi Street, and their president and proprietor was Charles Brown.
Barton's Prize Band: See: Barton's Brass Band
Barwell Brass Band (Leicestershire): Active around 1900
Basford Hall Miners' Welfare Silver Band (Nottinghamshire): Formed May 1947. First conductor: H. L. Appleby, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M., succeeded in February 1948 by T. Himon, who in turn was succeeded by John Baldwin in February 1949.
Batley Castle Band: Active around 1900 - (possibly the Batley Castle Salvation Army Band)
Batley Old Band: Played a part in the celebrations following Batley's win the first Rugby League Challenge Cup Final which took place on 24 April 1897 at Headingley, in front of 13,492 people. The team travelled home to the sound of 160 celebratory fog signals detonating one after another on the railway line as their train passed over them. On their arrival, they were escorted by Batley Old Band to the town hall. Still active in 1903
Batley Temperance Band (Yorkshire)
Batley United Band: Active in 1855
Batley Victoria Band: Active in 1885
Battersea Borough Prize Band: Active in the 1900s
Battle Brass Band: Formed in the 19th century and disbanded in 1939. A successor band was formed in 1975
Battyeford Brass Band (Yorkshire)
Baughurst Gospel Temperance Band: Formed in the 1870s as a result of "revival" meetings in Baughurst, it held open-air meetings in Shyshack Lane, Heath End on Sunday afternoons. In winter a lamp was carried on a pole to give light to the musicians. It also played at Baughurst Primitive Methodist Chapel as well as at Camp Meetings and Hospital Sunday Parades. It disbanded during World War II.
Bawtry Band
Baxendale's Band: See: Denton Original Band
Baxterley Band (Warwickshire): Active in 1894
Beacon Silver Band (Nottingham): Reformed in the 1930s? from the earlier Boots Plaisaunce Band. Its playing days came to an untimely end when the instruments were destroyed in the bombing of the Printing Department building on Station Street in 1941.
Beamish Colliery Band (Co. Durham): Formed in 1898. Amalgamated with Seghill Colliery Band around 1907. Still active in 1950
Bean's Brass Band (York): York, 1833-1860
Beanfield School Brass Band (Corby): Formed in 1969
Bearpark Colliery Band (1): Active in 1899
Bearpark Colliery Band (2): Formed in 1920, folded around 1948.
Beaulieu Brass Band (Hampshire): Active in the early 1900s
Beaumont Methodist Band (Essex): Took part in Great Bentley Brass Band Contest on 18 April 1938.
Beckley Brass Band (Buckinghamshire): Active in 1865
Beckley Village Band (East Sussex)
Becontree Silver Band: Active in 1951. A successor Becontree Brass Band was formed in 1981 from ex-members of Barking and Dagenham Playleaders Band, Barking Concert Band and its predecessor, Dagenham Silver Band
Bedale Brass Band: Active in the late 1800s, but disbanded in the early 1900s
Bedale Brass Band: Founded in 1949, folded in 1954
Bedale Brass Band: Founded in 1963, folded in 1975
Beddgelert Band: Active in 1909
Bedford (Leigh) Band: Formed in 1875 as The St. Thomas' Band Bedford (becoming Bedford Church Brass Band in 1894) holding rehearsals in the School behind St. Thomas' Church on Chapel Street Leigh. The band broke up sometime in the early 1990s. For further details see the Bedford (Leigh) Band website. The first report of the band competing was in September 1884 at a contest organised by the St. Joseph's brass band also from Bedford, Leigh. The event was well reported in the both the Leigh Chronicle and the Leigh Journal with the band under their conductor, Mr. J Frost, claiming the third prize of £2, playing the quadrille "Leisure Hour". The first prize going to Atherton Volunteers and the second to Farnworth Public. Thirteen bands took part in the contest. For the full press report of the contest click here. William Smith was conductor of Bedford Church Prize Silver Band in the early 1900s.
Bedford Church Brass Band: See: Bedford (Leigh) Band. Competed in the First Annual Brass Band Contest organised by Wigan Borough Prize Band in 1943 (conducted by T.W. Charlsworth).
Bedford Church Prize Silver Band: See: Bedford (Leigh) Band
Bedford Trades Band (Bedford): Active in 1950
Bedhampton Methodist Band: Active around 1910
Bedlington Brass Band (Northumberland): Band records are held in the Northumberland County Record Office.
Bedlington Colliery Band: See: Barrington Colliery Band
Bedlington Colliery Band: See: Bedlington Doctor Pit Band
Bedlington Doctor Pit Band (Northumberland): Active in 1899 and folded around 1947
Bedlington Temperance Band (Northumberland): Active in 1899 also. [possibly the same as the Doctor Pit Band?]
Bedminster Silver Prize Band: Active in 1905, when they held a Grand Bazaar at Colston Hall in Bristol, following their fund-raising efforts during the Boer War.
Bedwas Band
Bedworth Legion Band
Bedworth Parish Church Silver Band: Formed in the late 1960s, when the Rector of Bedworth Parish Church obtained funds from the Nicholas Chamberlaine Trust to create the band. Amalgamated with Bedworth Silver Prize Band in 1985
Bedworth Silver Prize Band: Formed in 1927 as Wesley Reform Church Band. Amalgamated with Bedworth Parish Church Silver Band in 1985.
Beenham Brass Band (Berkshire): Active in the 1930s? One member was Cyril Jones, the Postmaster in Theale
Beeston Silver Prize Band (Nottinghamshire): Active in 1950
Beighton Excelsior Prize Band (Sheffield): Active in 1896
Beith Instrumental Band: Formed prior to 1865.On Saturday 17th June, 1865, the Bowling Club committee, followed by the Beith Instrumental Band and local townspeople led the way to the Green for the official opening of the Club. The Band were having financial problems in November 1865 and opened up a subscription to the more well-to-do people of the town, and also to the artisans. The band were gratified with the results of the labours of the committee and were delighted with the liberality of the subscribers. The band were meeting that night in their practice room after which they would parade through the town. In June 1903 the band secured a month's engagement at Saltcoats on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. The band was second in the Dumfries band contest in 1903, and in August 1904 they gained second place to Newmilns Band in the Ayrshire Championship. on 12 May 1917 the Beith Women's War Work Party held a Flag Day, Cycle and Fance Dress Parade (for which prizes were offered) in the Academy Grounds - Numerous attractions included Beith Instrumental Band. One of the first members of the Beith band, Mr John Simpson of Calderwood, Beith, died on October 27, 1905 at the age of 89 years.
Belgravia Brass Band (Melbourne, Australia): Formed in 1883, later known as the Footscray Temperance Brass Band
Belle Vue Brass Band (Wakefield): Founded in 1886
Belling Band (Middlesbrough): Active in 1906
Bellingham Brass Band (Northumberland): Active in 1909
Bells Band (Ashbourne): Active in 1889
Belmont Prize Band: See: Belmont Village Prize Band
Belmont Village Prize Band (Lancashire): Formed in 1882 by Harry Gorse of Darwen an employee of Messrs Deakin, in the village. He used to write marches and composed parts for the band during his lunch hour. The band was formed one month before Christmas and a local resident offered 10 shillings to play outside his house, the band jumped at the chance. The bands most successful period was in the late 1920's but 10 years later the band had hit hard times, blaming improved access to Bolton for the decline in the younger generation's interest. The band disbanded in the early 1960's.
Belper Brass Band: Formed in the late 19th century. Folded in 1956.
Belper Town Band: See: Belper Brass Band
Belper United Brass Band: Active in 1891 (William Ryde, bandmaster) and 1899-1912 (Jas. Haywood, bandmaster)
Belvedere Baptist Temperance Band (Kent): See: Callender's Cable Works Band
Belvedere Excelsior Band (Kent): See: Callender's Cable Works Band
Belvedere Military Band (Kent): See: Callender's Cable Works Band
Benalla Brass Band (Victoria, Australia): Active in 1895 when they performed at Glenrowan
Bendigo Central Band (Australia): See: Strathfieldsaye Municipal Band
Bendigo Citizens and Boys Band (Australia): See: Strathfieldsaye Municipal Band
Bendix Kingswood Band: See: Kingswood and District Band
Benenden Brass Band: Played at the village celebrations for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887
Benenden National Sanitorium Band (Kent): The band played the patients "in" on admission and "out" at discharge (they were often in for many months, up to a year or two). It is likely to have been an ad hoc band consisting of what musicians were available as inmates. The uniforms seem to have been deliberately ragged - some still exist in the museum at Benenden Hospital.
Bentham Brass Band: A member of this band was Richard Adamthwaite (1861-1947, cabinet maker in the employ of the Mr. Thomas Marshall in High Bentham. The band was still in existence in 1936, when it played at the Hodder Valley Show.
Bentley Colliery Band (South Yorkshire): Gained 2nd prize in a lower section contest at the Crystal Palace in 1911. Still active in 1935 and 1952. Competed in the Junior Cup in 1962, conducted by N. Edwards.
Bentley Colliery Silver Band: See: Bentley Colliery Band
Benwell and District Band (Newcastle-upon-Tyne): Active in the 1920s
Benwhat Silver Band: Formed around 1870. Amalgamated with an Ayr-based band to form the Ayr-Benwhat Silver Band.
Benwhat Silver Band (Ayrshire): Active in 1976
Berisfords Band (Congleton): Active in the 1960s
Berisfords and Cardway Band
Berkeley Teetotal Society Band (Mitcham): Active in the late 1890s. Organised by the redoubtable Priscilla Pitt, the Society ran an imaginative programme of social and educational events designed to promote self-improvement and the rejection of alcohol. Initially described as a "ragtag but optimistic bunch", the band developed into proficient musicians. By this stage they had proper instruments and sported uniforms funded by Joseph Ely (founder of the famous Wimbledon department store). The group eventually imported non-teetotal musicians and evolved into the Mitcham Gas Works Band, which was active in 1909. Their musical prowess was such that they appeared at a wide range of events and celebrations, even participating in the Crystal Palace Brass Band Festival.
Berkhamsted and Boxmoor Band (Hertfordshire): Formed in 1960 by the amalgamation of the Berkhamsted St Peters Band and Boxmoor Silver Band. In 1961 Mr. Stan Sheppard was appointed Musical Director.
Berkhamsted St Peters Band (Hertfordshire): Founded in 1888 by Mr.Thomas Ellens. Many of the members were choristers at the parish church of St. Peters and the Rector of Berkhamsted became the band's president. Mr. Ellens was conductor of the band from 1888 until 1909. In 1960, due to falling numbers in both organisations, Berkhamsted St Peters Band and Boxmoor Silver Band amalgamated to form Berkhamsted and Boxmoor Band.
Berkhamsted Town Prize Band (Hertfordshire): Active in the 1900s
Bermondsey Men's Institute Band (London): Active in the 1950
Berry Brow Brass Band
Berry Hill Temperance Band: Active in the early 1880s. Amalgamated with the Speedwell Colliery Band to form Berry Hill Silver Band in 1911.
Bersted Brass Band: See: Bersted and Bognor Band
Bersted and Bognor Band (Sussex): Existed in May 1909, which in April 1910 included 3 Horns, 3 Bass, 3 Cornets, 2 Drums , Euphonium and Trombone. In 1911 it was referred to as the Bersted and Bognor Prize Band. In 1912 there seemed to be a decline in the Band's popularity and membership had decreased to 9 members. However somebody had faith in the Band and although in 1914 one Bandmaster resigned another was appointed soon after from a selection of 9 applicants. In the same year new uniforms were purchased for the Band which had improved its playing! The Band had reduced to 9 members as 11 were by then in the forces. In 1916 the Bandmaster resigned as there were not enough players. In Easter 1922 the Band gave 5 performances, the Bandmaster's pay was 5 shillings per performance. The Band went into decline from then on, and in 1933 the Town Band Committee recalled Band equipment and music. In 1934 The Music and Instruments were offered to a Mr Bottrill, who declined the offer, and subsequently all items were sold.
Bersted & Bognor Prize Band: See: Bersted and Bognor Band
Berwick Band
Berwick St John's Band (Berwick): Active in 1898, probably folded at the outbreak of WW1
Bescot L & NW Prize Band (Walsall): Active in 1912
Bescot Silver Prize Band (Wallsall): Amalgamated with Aldridge Colliery Silver Prize Band and Bloxwich British Legion Band during the Second World War. Newspaper report of 1922: There were 750 participants, 200 more than the previous year, displaying their procreations under a marquee at Oxley Manor Park Estate. Additional fun and entertainment was provided by the perriots, competitions, sports, dancing and the "Bescot Silver Prize Band".
Besses o' th' Barn Congregational Band: Active in 1882, when it competed against the Besses o' th' Barn Old Band at a contest at Kersley.
Beswick Prize Band (Manchester): Active in the 1930s. Amalgamated with the Moston Band in 1965. They often performed at football grounds on a Saturday afternoon. At one football match at Manchester City a player arrived drunk, but they had him play anyway. As they were marching around the pitch playing, he went straight into the goal post, knocked himself out and had to be carried off!
Bethany Temperance Band (Aberavon, Port Talbot): Active in 1891, and also in 1894 when it came fifth in a brass band contest at Porth, conducted by Mr.Thomas Griffiths.
Bethel Brass Band: See: Bethel Silver Prize Band
Bethel New Connexion Band (Ovendon, Halifax)
Bethel Silver Prize Band (Macclesfield, Cheshire): Formed 1908 as Bethel Brass Band. Still active in 1950. Conductors: G. Bailey (1908-14 and 1919-21), H, Desborough (1914-17), A. Costello (1921-23), C Pownall (1923), R. J. Deal (1923-1950+)
Bethersden Brass Band (Kent): Active in 1907 when it played at the Bethersden Chrysanthemum show, conducted by Charles Heathfield
Bethesda Town Band: Active in 1913
Bethnal Green Men's Institute Band (London): Active in 1950
Beverley Borough Band: Active in the late 1800s. Disbanded in the 1920s
Beverley Borough Silver Band: Active in 1958
Beverley Silver Band: Active in the late 1800s.
Beverley Town Prize Band: See: Beverley United Prize Band
Beverley Unison Band: See: Beverley United Prize Band
Beverley United Prize Band: Active in the late 19th century, also known as Beverley Town Prize Band. It disbanded around 1930, when the instruments were handed over to the newly formed Hodgsons Recreational Club Silver Band.
Bexhill-on-Sea Town Band
Bexley A.F.S. Brass Band: See: North Kent Silver Band
BICC Band (British Insulated Cables Callender's Band): See: Callender's Cable Works Band
BICC Band (British Insulated Cables Company Band): See: British Insulated Cables Company Brass Band
Bickershaw Colliery Band: In 1919 the Abram Coal Company decided to form a brass band under the leadership of Lt.-Col. Ernest Hart. It had marked success in contests in the early 1930s and was rename Bickershaw Colliery Band in 1937 when the Company took over a further group of collieries. The band was a favourite in its day and took part in over 300 broadcasts . Culmination of the band's success came in 1940 and 1943 when it won the British Open Championships, with William Haydock as bandmaster. The band folded following the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947. Web Link
Biddenden Brass Band (Kent): Active in the early 1900s
Biddulph Prize Band: Active in 1930 and the 1980s
Biddulph Town Moor Band: Active from 1905 to 1925
Bideford Wesleyan Band
Biggleswade Town Band: Active 1910. Report from 6 December 1890: "Mr George Powers, released after 17 days after a Petition to the Home Secretary, on his return from Bedford Prison to Caldecote was met by cheering crowds, the village was decorated for the occasion - Biggleswade Drum & Fife Band and Biggleswade Brass Band played on Mr Powers's lawn. The band folded in the 1960s and the only remaining artifact is the band's bass drum, discovered in an attic in 2005 and now safely lodged in the Biggleswade History Society archive. Members of the band included Peter Horn who played 2nd trombone in the band in the late 40s/early 50s and his father Herbert (Bert) who played in the band for 35 years. At the time Peter was a band member the drum was played by Ted Robinson and later Les Arger.
Billericay Brotherhood Band (Essex): Active in the 1900s
Billericay Silver Band (Essex)
Billingshurst Band (Sussex): Took part in the Royal Tunbridge Wells & District Band Federation 27th Annual Band Festival (3rd Section), 14th May 1955, gaining first place, £10 and the Christie Challenge Cup, playing Overture: Lustspiel by Keler Bela, adjudicated by Harry Mortimer.
Binchester Band (County Durham): Active around 1908
Bingara Voluntary Brass Band (Australia): Active in 1897, but by January 1899 was in "a very low condition" and Mr Joe Hamilton, the former bandmaster announced his intention to form a private band. The Town Band was still in operation in March 1899 but some time later, the band folded due to lack of support. In July 1907 the mayor was asked to call a public meeting to re-form the local Town Band. With the onset of the Great Depression, the Municipal Brass was disbanded in April 1934 only to be re-formed in March 1935. In February 1936 the Bingara Advocate announced that it was rumoured that Bingara Municipal Brass Band will be reformed. It had apparently ceased to function some time before.
Bingham Brass Band (Nottinghamshire): Active in 1891 when Frank Taylor was the conductor. Took part in the Newark celebrations of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1898 - "Lights and lanterns were incorporated in the Market Place so that visitors could see the full splendour of the Bingham PSA Band. There was a large crowd to hear the excellent and varied musical programme which included hymns classical pieces and popular music."
Bingham PSA Band: See: Bingham Brass Band
Bingley Mission Prize Band (Yorkshire)
Bingley New Band (Yorkshire)
Bingley Rifles Band (Yorkshire)
Birchgrove and District Band (South Wales): Active in 1933
Birchover Prize Band: Founded in the 1880s and had disbanded by 1939. For more information see Web Link
Birdsall Band (North Yorkshire): Practiced at the pub in Langton
Birfield Industries Works Band (Birmingham): Active in 1951
Birkenhead Borough Silver Prize Band: Active in 1912, when they entertained the crowd at the opening match at the new Tranmere Rovers Stadium
Birkenhead Corporation Transport Band: Active in 1930s
Birkenhead Town Band: Active in 1951 when they competed in the 4th section North West regional championships at the Victoria Hall, Bolton.
Birkenhead Shore Road Band: Active in 1930s
Birkenshaw Brass Band (Yorkshire)
Birmingham British Legion Band
Birmingham City Prize Band: Active in 1920
Birmingham School of Music Band: Active in 1970s
Birstall Brass Band (Drighlington): Active in 1911
Birstall Old Prize Band: Active in 1913 and the 1940s and 1950s
Birstwith Brass Band: Formed in the 1890s
Birtley League of the Cross Band (near Gateshead): Formed in 1898, probably folded at start of WW1.
Birtley and Ouston Band
Birtley Pit Colliery Band: Active in the 1930s
Birtley St Joseph Band: Active in 1920s
Birtley Temperance Band: Active in 1898
Birtley Town Prize Band: Active between 1904 and 1928
Bishop's Itchington Brass Band: Active in 1927
Bishops Stortford British Legion Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Bishop's Waltham Temperance Brass Band (Winchester): Active in 1895 when T. Jolly was bandmaster. Also active in 1907, a report in the Titchfield Echo describes the Carnival in 1907:
"All Titchfield was on its feet on Monday night the August occasion being the November carnival and torchlight procession in memory of the misguided Guido Fawkes. Collections were made for the hospital and the unsuspecting were greatly trapped by this formula: "Gie us a penny, sir, it is the greatest night of the year". Truly Titchfield rose to the occasion. The carnival Committee turned its frolicsome pen to facetious bill composition which announced in fat type that the demonstration would he held on Monday November 5th, WADS (work all day Sunday), that it would he a sumptuous 'OK show'; that the procession would he preponderous (shades of Dr. Johnson preserve us!): that the mounted police would he under the command of Sergeant Buzfuzz and that a conglomeration would be unearthed'. The rest of the bill was descriptive of the line of the route and local witticisms were indulged in exclusively: objects of interest on the itinerary such as Jones' shop, Smiths backyard and Robinson's trade being alluded to in a way that was unfortunately caviar to the general. Monday's affair divides into two sections. In the afternoon the procession went round the town in the full light of day and satisfied the closest inspection. In the evening torch lights, Roman candles and lanterns lent glory and imagination to the scene. greatly hid defects and furthered the fun of the fair. For a village effort the carnival was a marvel of completeness and good organisation and was worth going a long way to see. Portsmouth had not yet managed better cars or devices and Titchfield seems to have much more of' that humour that makes the world go hum. A couple of old bicycles that ought to be in the South Kensington Museum. so quaint were their frames, were ridden by the tired tramp tourists,' the fire Brigade was caricatured with a red barrel on wheels with a manual hose: a living skeleton, a Mephistopheles, a barbaric barber, women and wine and the gaming table with its consequent caged convict breaking stones, and an airship "Polly Secundus" cleverly rigged up on a bicycle and illuminated with acetylene lamps. Then the Foresters and Oddfellows with their usual tableau cars as to the value of provision against sickness, Jack was to be seen saving farewell to the Miller's daughter with the wheel going round and round and dripping real water, a car illustrating the sad story of the 'Mistletoe Bough', fish frying, blacksmithing and various trade cars including bun making. The cars were decorated with material and foliage and at night lighted with Chinese lanterns, while followers carried oil flares casting a lurid light on niggers and grandees, cowboys and swashbucklers, old hags and bearded patriarchs. Masks were much worn doubtless because in a village where everyone knows everyone else (often their business as well), it is a great occasion to be able for a little while to sink one's own identity. The small boys fairly throbbed with excitement. Lights burned and crackers banged off around your feet and over your head and so great was the crush that Titchfield could hardly move through its own streets, which it meagerly lights with oil, made all the more impoverished-looking by the generosity of Monday's private illuminations. Music was supplied by the Bishops Waltham Brass Band and the Titchfield Fifes and Drums which took part in the procession through the streets to the recreation field. There was no organised fire display but the fun of a Bal Masqué was kept up until a late hour long after the last torch had spluttered out. Then Titchfield went home through streets dark with wet mist and redolent of benzolene and gunpowder smoke".
Bisley Boys' School Band: Active in 1938
Bitchburn Colliery Band (Howden-le-Wear): Active in 1905
Bitterne and West End Band: See Southampton Air Training Corps Band
Bitterne Band (Hampshire): Active in 1885. The drummer was R.C. Payne, the local Undertaker, and the Bandmaster was C. Watson.
Black Boy Colliery Band (Bishops Auckland): Active in 1879
Black Country Brass: Formed in the early 1970s. Merged with West Bromwich Band in the 1980s to form Sandwell Brass Band
Blackbraes and District Band
Blackburn Borough Band: Active in 1888/1889
Blackburn Comic Prize Band: Had its home at the Bethesda Hall, Stansfeld Street in the 1920s
Blackburn Old Prize Band: Active in 1924. From the obituary of William Ainsworth - "Born 1854, Died Feb/March 1924 whilst living at 137, Queens Park Road, Blackburn. Buried in Blackburn Cemetery. Funeral procession was led by the Blackburn Old Prize Band. He was a well known local footballer in his youth, also a step-dancer who won at least one championship and a belt, and a member of Blackburn Old Prize Band. Two of his sons, Harold, a well known cornet soloist, and Ernest also played in the Blackburn Old Prize Band."
Blackburn Public Band: Active around 1887, 1900 and 1933. Queen's Park, Blackburn, created to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, held the town's jubilee celebrations in September 1887 when the main drive and lake were illuminated and the Blackburn Public Prize Band gave a musical selection.
Blackburn Public Prize Band: See: Blackburn Public Band
Blackburn Ragged School Prize Band: Active in 1896
Blackburn Valley Brass Band: Active in 1909 and again in the 1950s and 1960s
Blackburn Wesleyan Mission Band: Active around 1900
Blackburn's Steel Works Band: See: Electric Tramway and Tramway Carriage Brass Band
Blackhall Colliery Band (1): Active in 1921
Blackhall Colliery Band (2): Formed in June 1926, it quickly established its name and quality. It became the Northern Area Champions in 1945 and established a world record when it competed in eight contests on Friday 10th June 1938 and won eight prizes. Folded in the 1950s.
Blackheath Town Band (Worcs): Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s, still active in the 1940s
Blackhill St Mary's Band (Chester-le-Street): Active between 1907 and 1931
Blackhill Mission Band (Durham): Active in the 1870s
Blackhill Teetotal Band: See: Consett Iron Works Band
Blackhill Workmen's Band (Durham): Active in 1914 when Henry Tyndale was secretary
Blackley Home Guard Comrades Band (Manchester)
Blackpool and Fylde Blind Band: Active around 1910
Blackpool Associated Works Band: Active in 1945. Competed in the First Annual Brass Band Contest organised by Wigan Borough Prize Band in 1943 (conducted by S.M. Rowe).
Blackpool County Borough A.F.S. Band: Active in 1941
Blackpool Excelsior Band: Active in 1926 to 1932
Blackpool Lifeboat Band: Active in 1938
Blackpool Norman Memorial Band: See: Norman Memorial Youth Silver Band
Blackpool Public Band: Active in 1920s
Blackpool Silver Prize Band: Formed March 1926 as Blackpool Special Constabulary Silver Prize Band
Blackpool Special Constabulary Silver Prize Band: See: Blackpool Silver Prize Band
Blackrock Band (Kerrier, Cornwall): This band was, in fact, based in the village of Crowan, due south of Camborne, so one can only conjecture as to why the name Blackrock when this village is about one mile east of Crowan. Perhaps the unknown leader was about the only person who lived in Black Rock? They worked from c1870 to c1895 and in the later part of their life carried out contesting challenges, not with any noteworthy results however.
Blackrod Band: Formed in 1872 as Blackrod Good Templar's Band it changed its name to Blackrod Public Subscription Band within a few years. It held its rehearsals in the building that was the Old Grammar School and is nowadays used as Council Offices. Each member then paid an entrance fee of 5 shillings and a weekly subscription of 1 shilling. Eventually it was decided to enter for contests, and in consequence it was necessary for a professional conductor to be engaged to ensure that the correct training was given to the band. Many conductors held this very important position, Messrs. Durham, Wheelwright, Rutter, Peatfield, Fairhurst and Pollard coming readily to mind. Several prizes were won during this period, but a first prize eluded them. During 1913 a new set of instruments was purchased at a cost of £378, and shortly afterwards a set of new uniforms was obtained at a cost of approximately £114. It will be realised that this sum was very heavy expenditure in those days, and the band are worthy of congratulations for the courage that was shown, especially when it is known that they only had the sum of £90 available. Members of the band, however, loaned money and borrowed the remainder. This effort was supported by the free services rendered by the officials and bandsmen for six years until they were clear of the debt.
Mr Percy Bullough, who was appointed bandmaster in 1907, became conductor in 1918 [a bandmaster, usually a player in the band, was deputy to the conductor and fulfilled rehearsals or engagements that the conductor could not. Most modern bands still have a bandmaster]. It was decided to compete in contests again, and soon the patience and enthusiasm shown over the years was crowned with glory, for the band won their first, first prize at Haydock. A story told about the band was that it was not uncommon for the bandsmen to have to be summoned from the Scot Lane Inn to start the village parade or either the field day. One bandsmen who was the worst for drink sat down on a wall with his bass and overbalanced landing in a garden with the instrument on top of him! One claim to fame is that the professional tenor John Mitchinson made one of his first public performances with them. They disbanded around 1959.
Blackrod Good Templar's Band: See: Blackrod Band
Blackrod Public Subscription Band: See: Blackrod Band
Blackrod Temperance Band: Active in 1882, when it competed in a contest at Kersley, Bolton.
Blackwater Band (Carrick, Cornwall): The band, which was originally a brass & reed combination, was formed in 1901 by a clarinet playing ex-bandman of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, C.Retallack. As implied, the instrumentation was changed later on, by Mr Retallack, to an all brass band, and Mr Retallack continued to lead them on his clarinet. No contesting can be discovered.
Blackwell Silver Prize Band (Derbyshire): Active in 1915 and probably linked to the Blackwell collieries
Blackwood Methodist Band
Blaenavon Colliery Workmen's Band (Monmouthshire): Active in the 1950s
Blaenavon Templar Brass Band: Active in 1897, when it played a "Grand Vocal & Instrumental Concert" at the Workmen's Institute Hall, Blaenavon, in aid of the instrument fund.
Blaengarw Silver Band: Active in 1948
Bleangarw Temperance Band: Active in 1894
Blagdon Brass Band: Formed in the 1920s. It is said to have played on Friendly Society Whitsun Walks - the Buffaloes, the Oddfellows and the Foresters were local societies. The Postmaster Wilf or Frank Light was one of the players. The instruments were possibly given by Lord Winterstoke, who was keen on self improvement for the villagers. A disused cottage in the centre of the village was used for storage (and possibly for practice). During WW2 this cottage was used by the Home Guard and they were going to revive the band, but the instruments, having been unused for a long time were unplayable. It is thought that a sousaphone accompanied the 'Victorian Carol Party' round the village some 40-50 years ago.
Blaina and District Silver Band: See: Blaina Band
Blaina Band (Monmouthshire): Formed in 1817 and converted to all brass in 1832 with Enbach instruments from Amsterdam. The band was originally known as Brown's Works Band, supported by the local Brown's Ironworks. Later also known as Blaina Lancaster Band, Blaina New Lancaster Town Band, Blaina Town Band and Blaina and District Silver Band. In 1894 it came sixth in a brass band contest at Porth, conducted by Mr. F.Birkenshaw. They competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Still active in 1948
Blaina Lancaster Band: See: Blaina Band
Blaina New Lancaster Town Band: See: Blaina Band
Blaina Town Band: See: Blaina Band
Blair's Band: Active between 1906 and 1919
Blairgowrie Brass Band: Committee minutes, 1905-1962, are held in the Perth and Kinross Council Archive. In 1901 and 1902 the Blairgowrie and Rattray Merchant's Association agreed to donate £5 to the Band, specifically in 1902 the Association Secretary was instructed to write to the Bandmaster, when handing over the money, to the effect that the Association would like the Band to appear more frequently in public than they did last year. Active in 1928.
Blairgowrie & Rattray Municipal Band: See: Blairgowrie Brass Band
Blakeney and District Silver Band: Formed 1953 from the remaining members of Two Bridges Brass Band who moved to Blakeney. Managed to buy a brand new set of instruments within a year and pay for them all by 1957.
Blakeney Brass Band: Formed in the village before 1843 - it was in regular demand for events in the Forest area during the mid 19th century
Blantyre St Joseph's Band (Lanarkshire): Active in 1933
Blaydon Comrades Victory Band: Active in 1921. Probably formed by survivors of the Great War.
Bleak House Band (Carrick, Cornwall): What a wonderful title! Formed just after WW1, this band, at first, consisted almost entirely of members of the Trebilcock and Marshall families. Their first set of instruments were bought from the defunct Feock Band. One of these Trebilcocks lived at Bleak House, so much of their rehearsals were carried out there. They carried on until they had to disband in 1929.
Bledington Temperance Band (Gloucestershire): Active in the early 1900s
Bletchley Station Band (Buckinghamshire): Associated with the railway station in Bletchley. There is a picture of the band in H. Gregg's book Town of Trains, dated 1920's.
Bletchley Town Silver Band: Active in 1948 when it organised its second annual contest
Blidworth Brass Band (Nottinghamshire): From 1885 directory: "...composed in 1880, and consists of 12 performers; James Robinson bandmaster"
Blight's Cornopean Brass Band: Founded by William Blight and active in 1844 when it played at the Floral Fete in the Royal Surrey Zoological Gardens, on Tuesday, September 17th. Other attractions included a "grand dahlia and miscellaneous flower show for flowers, fruit, & vegetables, combined with picturesque grounds, superb menagerie, gigantic model of old London, a model of Venice, feeding of the carnivora, promenade concerts introducing Beethoven's Battle Sinfonia, Spohr's "Consecration of Sounds," &c. and Great Fire of London, allowed to be the grandest pyrotechinic display ever witnessed. No establishment in Europe presents so many, varied and unique attractions. Admittance one shilling. Open at one. Conflagration at eight o'clock" . Also advertised elsewhere as "available to accept engagements for Public Dinners, Water Parties, Promenades, Archery Fetes, Flower Shows, Fancy Fairs and Etc."
Blisland Temperance Band (North Cornwall): Formed about 1863 and found east of Wadebridge, they later changed their title to Blisland Brass Band. Their appearances were known to have been carried out up to 1902. A non-contesting band.
Blofield and District Brass Band: Active in 1957
Bloomfield Amateur Silver Band: Active in early 1960s
Bloxham Brass Band (Oxfordshire): Active in the early 1900s. Tom Baughen (licensee of the Unicorn Inn) became its conductor when it amagamated with the Bloxham Church Band some time prior to 1914
Bloxham Church Band (Oxfordshire): Amagamated with the Bloxham Brass Band some time prior to 1914
Bloxham Temperance Band (Oxfordshire): Active in 1900
Bloxwich British Legion Band: Amalgamated with Aldridge Colliery Silver Prize Band and Bescot Band during World War 2
Bloxwich Imperial Prize Band (Walsall): Active in 1912
Blue Jacket Band (Portsmouth): Active around 1920
Blue Ribbon Brass Band (Ratho, Midlothian): Active in 1900
Blyth and Cowpen Operatic Band (Northumberland): Formed in 1894 and still active in 1900
Blyth and District Band (Northumberland): Active between 1904 and 1909
Blyth L.N.E.R. Band (Northumberland): Formed in 1921 and still active in the 1950s
Blyth N. E. Railway Band: See: Blyth L.N.E.R. Band
Bodmin Regnal Mission Band: Records of the band, from 1941-1942 are held by Bodmin Town Museum
Bognor Town Band: Active in 1928
Bold Colliery Band: See: Bold Miners' Welfare Band
Bold Miners' Welfare Band (St Helens): Formed around 1970 and folded around 1990. Thought to be the last miners band on the Lancashire coal field. A lot of their music was inherited from the earlier Clock Face Colliery Band. A report from Coal Face, in June 1979, states: Band 'Babes' Cut Their Contest Teeth. Brass competition 'babes' who have collected their first trophy afters even years are aiming to follow the lead of another Western Area band bidding for top prizes. Musicians in St, Helens' Bold Colliery Band made their trophy-winning debut at Workington, Cumbria. "It's the breakthrough they've been looking for," says Admin. Officer, Frank Kenyon. Music loving Frank took action when Clock Face Colliery closed some years ago and their instruments became available. he thought it would be a pity if the band tradition died and decided to re-form them at Bold and they are now one of the North West's last surviving colliery bands.Bold bandsmen were helped in their re-birth by CISWO who transferred the old Clock Face instruments and by pitmen like now-retired training officer Jack Wildman;. "It was very hard work but we now have a full sized 24-string band with plenty of reserve players as well." says Frank Kenyon. Pianist Frank, who got his taste for the sound of brass from his father who used to take him to hear the former Bickershaw Colliery Band as a boy, adds: "We give free performances for any coal industry function we are invited to and always play at the paraplegics sports at Blackpool. "Some of the lads have even appeared on TV during a scene from the Liver Birds but of course out big ambition is to win at the NCB finals at the Mining Weekend. The band give free tuition for any youngster who fancies the chance to blow his own trumpet, miner's children especially being welcome.
Boldon Colliery Band: Formed in 1911, as Boldon Colliery Workmen's Band, it folded in 2004
Boldon Colliery Workmen's Band: See: Boldon Colliery Band
Boldshay Victoria Band (Bradford)
Bolingey Band (Carrick, Cornwall): Bolingey will be found half way between Newquay and St Agnes, and a band under this title appeared at the St Agnes Regatta of 1891 under the direction of a Mr Veale. No other mention can be found of this band.
Bollington Band (Cheshire): Founded in the 19th century and disbanded on the eve of the Second World War
Bolsover Silver Prize Band: Active in the 1920s
Bolsover Colliery Band: Formed 1894 - Web Link
Bolton I.O.R. Band: See: Bolton Rechabites Band
Bolton Independant Order of Rechabites Band: See: Bolton Rechabites Band
Bolton Old Band: Formed as a reed band in around 1803. They were attached to the Bolton Volunteer Regiment under Colonel Fletcher. The Colonel was a great lover of music and when the regiment was disbanded soon after the Napoleonic war he kept the band on at a cost of over £1,000 a year to himself. The regiment was reformed in 1819 and the band once again became the regimental band. Colonel Fletcher died in 1832 and the regiment was taken over by the Earl of Ellesmere. Sometime around 1850 the regimental headquarters were moved to Worsley and the band had converted to all brass. They had disbanded by 1884.
Bolton Public Band: Formed in the 1920's it had disbanded by late 1955. In 1951 they competed in the 4th section North West regional championships at the Victoria Hall, Bolton.
Bolton Rechabites Band: The early Temperance movement in the 1820's and 1830's only required its members to sign a pledge against the more 'ardent spirits'. By the 1830's an internal group had started to call for the total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, they took the name Rechabites from a Biblical tribe. The movement seems to have been formally instigated in Salford in 1836. The Bolton I.O.R. Band was formed in the Autumn of 1920 by a small group of keen amateurs; they rehearsed in the back bedroom of their conductor's house, a Mr Higham in Gordon Avenue. For several months Mr Higham held rehearsals five nights a week until in October of 1921 the band decided to invest in a full set of new instruments, at a cost of over £1,000. They took their first public engagement in May of 1922 at Walkden. The band achieved their height on the contest scene in 1930 with a silver cup at the Yorkshire Brass Band Association Contest in Settle. It is not clear when the band disbanded, but it would most likely be the 1940's.
Bolton Temperance Band: In 1902 the authorities at Queen Street Mission conceived the idea that their open air meetings on Sunday evenings in Idle Street (now Central Street) would be more effective with the aid of a band. A band was therefore formed, or rather a number of Mission Lads and men were assembled, taking the name Queen Street Mission Band. The hero, the late Mr Ashworth, surveyed them. Not one of the 24 could read a note of music, not one of them could play an instrument. His job was to make them into a brass band, and it is a tribute to his patience and ability that he was able to do it. He produced a band which ranks amongst the best in the town, and which has won many prizes. After six months tuition they had two hymns and two marches in their repertoire, one of the marches was aptly called 'Now or Never'. They won numerous local titles and were at their most successful during the early and mid 1920's. The band possibly disbanded sometime during the 1940's.
According to Charlie Taylor of Tyldesley Band, who used to play sometimes with the Temperance Band, they uses to rehearse on Sundays in a pub in Bolton Town Centre. They turned up to rehearsal one Sunday, to be told by the landlord that the pub was shutting. They had a quick chat amongst themselves and turned round to Charlie and announced 'that if the pub was going then they'd go as well' and that was the rather abrupt end of the Bolton Temperance Band. This happened around 1952. This coincides nicely with the formation of the Bolton Public Band, which started up around this time [?].
Bolton Victoria Hall Band: Active in the 1890s and had disbanded by 1935.
Bond Street WMC Imperial Silver Band: See: City of Leicester Band
Bond Street Working Men's Club Band: See: City of Leicester Band
Boney Hay Mission Band (Lichfield, Staffs): Active in the late 1890s
Bonnybridge & District Band (Stirlingshire): Formed in 1871 as a reed band. A strike in the foundry put an end to the band as many members had to leave the village. Reformed in 1878 as a brass band. By 1888 had attended 10 contests, winning 6 prizes totalling £63 9s.
Bonnybridge and District Silver Band: See: Bonnybridge & District Band
Bonnybridge Silver Band (Stirlingshire): Formed in 1922 and said to be Falkirk district's top band from then until it disbanded due to a lack of support in 1970. The band's first success was in 1925 when taking third place in the 15-band Section Three. It won the section in 1927, then went on to win Section Two in 1929, after being third the previous year - all under conductor Gregor J. Grant. After a settling in period, Bonnybridge gained third spot in the Championship Section in 1933 then second place in 1936. After a couple of placings in the 1950s, the band became 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (T.A.) in the '60s and won the Championship Section in 1963. Before the band's demise, it took three 4th placings in '65, '66 and '69.
Bonnyrigg Burgh Band: Active in 1898
Bonnyrigg Volunteer Band: Active in 1880
Bookham Silver Band
Boolaroo & District Sulphide Brass Band (Australia): Active in the 1900s
Boolite Brass Band (Victoria, Australia): Active around 1896
Boosbeck Colliery Band (Guisborough): Active around 1907
Boots Plaisaunce Band (Nottingham): Established 1906. Jesse Boot was keen to promote music making and musical appreciation amongst company employees, and within Nottingham generally. In 1906, when a campaign was launched to restore the Albert Hall, Jesse Boot offered to spend £5,000 on a new organ, on condition that the organist provided popular recitals every Saturday afternoon with a fair number of seats not exceeding 3d each. Jesse Boot funded the organist's salary for three years. At Plaisaunce, the Boot family's summer house, employees were invited to afternoon entertainments, with music, dancing, athletics, swimming, and in the evenings sometimes fireworks. Jesse Boot provided a set of instruments for the use of an employees' band, and the Plaisaunce Band was formed. Florence Boot chose the uniforms - Lincoln Green, light green collar and cuffs, and silver braid. Jesse Boot arranged for the band to be coached by a professional conductor, Mr Alex Owen, and in June 1908 the band made its first venture into competitions at Lincoln. In 1909 the band won first prize in the Junior Cup section in the National Brass Band contest at Crystal Palace. Reformed after the First World War and affiliated to the Scout Movement, the band had the honour of being the first civilian band to play on Wellington Barracks Square. The band later re-formed as the Beacon Silver Band, but its playing days came to an untimely end when the instruments were destroyed in the bombing of the Printing Department building on Station Street in 1941.
Borough of Barnes Brass Band: See: West London Silver Band
Borough of Leicester Working Men's Club and Institute Brass Band: Active in 1906/1911
Boroughbridge British Legion Band (York)
Boscastle Brass & Reed Band (North Cornwall): They were formed about 1899 and changed the title in 1919 to Boscastle Brass Band. Their conductor in 1905 was Leslie Prout, who went on to conduct the Delabole Band. He was succeeded in 1912 by William Hochin who carried on until WW2 when band duties were suspended. Reformed in 1945 under Mr Grigg, who came from a whole family of Griggs that played with the St Dennis Band, they began contesting. Mr Grigg handed over to Charles Berryman in 1953 who, sadly, was drowned in the Boscastle floods of 1958. Arthur Biddick held things together until another Leslie Prout came along. For many reasons the band had to disband in 1973.
Boscastle Silver Band (Cornwall)
Boscombe Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Boston Borough Brass Band: c. 1860s - William Underwood, a working tailor of Boston, played the cornet in the band. He was a brother of John Underwood of Surfleet - famous local preacher.
Botwell Brotherhood Band: See: Hayes and Harlington Silver Band
Boulder City Brass Band (Australia): Active in 1910
Boulder Mines Brass Band (Australia): Active in 1899 - conductor Albert Prout. Still playing in 1920 when it took part in the unveiling of the Goldfields Soldiers' Monument in Boulder in July 1920.
Bourne Brass Band (Lincolnshire): Active in 1887
Bournemouth Postmen's Brass Band: Active in the 1890s
Bournemouth YMCA Silver Band: See: Winton British Legion Silver Band
Bournville Silver Band (Birmingham): Formed in 1890 as the Bournville Works Silver Band. Still active in 1938, also in October 1956 when it was conducted by George Allen.
Bournville Works Silver Band: See: Bournville Silver Band
Bourton Prize Band (Dorset): Active in 1910
Bourton-in-the-Water Band: Active in 1875. At this time the players included: W Troughton (carpenter), George Lawrence (mason), C. Betteridge, George Clifford (mason), Jim Wright (trombone) (slater and plasterer), Fred Clifford (mason), W. Butler (hay trusser), S. Hall and R. Hall (timber fellers and sawyers). Frank Palmer (drummer).
Bovey Tracey Town Band (Devon)
Bowes Brass Band (Teesdale): Active in 1931
Bowhill Colliery & District Band (Scotland): Active in 1933 and 1964
Bowling Brass Band (Yorkshire)
Bowral Association Band (Australia): Formed on the 19th of November 1894. GE Vincent, the son of the conductor in the first Bowral band, gave a great service to music in the Berrima District and was appointed bandmaster, which he did until his death in 1932.
Bowral Brass Band (Australia): Formed in january 1882. The conductor was George Vincent and it had 16 members but it ceased in 1888 with a new band forming in 1889 that played in the streets on Christmas Day. This band continued until the Bowral Association Band was formed.
Boxmoor Boys Brigade Band: Formed in 1929, renamed Boxmoor Silver Band in 1932
Boxmoor Silver Band: Formed in 1929 from members of the Boxmoor Boys Brigade, renamed Boxmoor Silver Band in 1932. Amalgamated with Berkhamsted St Peters Band in 1960 to form Berkhampstead and Boxmoor Band
Boys' and Girls' Refuges and Homes Band (Salford): Active in 1910 and 1911 when it played in various parks in Salford. The Manchester & Salford Boys & Girls Refuges and Homes were founded in 1870 by Leonard Shaw and Richard Taylor, who were Sunday school teachers at St Ann's Church Manchester. They were determined to take some action to help the many children and young people whom they observed living rough on the city's streets.
Brackley Borough Silver Band: Folded before the 1970s
Brackley Temperance Band
Bradford Borough Band (Yorkshire)
Bradford Boys Brass Band: Active in the 1950s and 1960s
Bradford Brass Band: Accounts of the band, from 1854-1859 are held by the West Yorkshire Archive Service, Bradford
Bradford City Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. The band's Club Room was at 45 Heap Lane, Bradford, in 1912. See further details on this page.
Bradford City Temperance Band: See: Bradford Victoria Silver Band
Bradford Clarion Band (Yorkshire)
Bradford Model Band: Active in 1867
Bradford Moor Silver Band: Active in 1937
Bradford Postmen's Band (Yorkshire): Founded in 1886
Bradford Prize Brass Band
Bradford Railway Foundry Band (Yorkshire)
Bradford Teetotal Saxhorn Band (Yorkshire)
Bradford Temperance Band (Yorkshire)
Bradford Tramways Band (Yorkshire)
Bradford Victoria Silver Band (Yorkshire): Formed as Bradford City Temperance Band, became Bradford Victoria Silver Band in 1936. Still active in 1950
Bradninch Temperance Band (Devon): Active in 1901, when it gave a concert in Wellington
Bradshaw Band (Bolton): Originally started as a drum and Fyfe band in 1856 by the Church Lad's Brigade, some of these lads who had fostered a true love of music broke away in 1862 and formed a brass band. They were renowned for their colourful uniforms throughout the life of the band. Initially they wanted a uniform to make themselves stand out from the other local bands and help them gain engagements, but due to a lack of funds they used their resourcefulness and clothed themselves in flannel trousers and straw hats. In 1906 they decided to change their uniforms and after great deliberation they decided on the uniform of the Mercantile Marine, they clung on to this until 1930. The band then chose a Scarlet and Blue uniform which they kept until they disbanded in 1954. Although they never won any major trophies, they seem to have had a very good and friendly atmosphere in the band.
Bradwell Town Band: Active before 1914, when it was conducted by William Evans - other band members at the time were Johnson Evans and Albert Elliott.
Bradworthy Band (Devon)
Braes of Allen Band: See: Braes of Allendale Band
Braes of Allendale Band (Northumberland): Formed in the early 1900s, probably folded in the 1950s
Brailes Brass Band (Warwickshire)
Brain's City of Bristol Brass Band (Bristol): Active in 1864, when they took part in the processions celebrating the official opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
Braintree Town Band (Essex): Active in 1909. Also in 1938, when it took part in Great Bentley Brass Band Contest on 18 April.
Bramley and District Subscription Band: Active in 1952
Bramley Band (Leeds): Formed in 1828 as a reed band by Edward Hesling, a farm-man, consisting of 14 players. It reorganised in 1836 as a full brass band, with John Whitley as bandmaster. Was reputedly the first temperance brass band to be established in England. Competed in the British Open in 1853. By 1859 the temperance element of the band had presumably lapsed as they had earned the nickname of "Bramley Beer and Bacca Band". It amalgamated with Bramley Model Band, under the conductor Samuel Hesling White, in 1898. The band thrived through the early part of the 20th century, but folded around 1936. The uniforms and instruments were sold, but the Band Club (or Band 'Ole) continues today although, sadly, the medals and trophies which were on display there were later stolen and never traced. A successor band, Bramley and District Subscription Band, was formed after WW2.
Bramley Brass Band (Leeds): See: Bramley Band. Entry in 1866 directory: "Widely celebrated for its musical skill although composed mainly of working men"
Bramley Christian Mission Band: See: Bramley Model Band
Bramley Model Band: Originally formed as the Christian Mission Band around 1890, it later was renamed Bramley Model Band, ultimately amalgamating with Bramley Band under the conductor Samuel Hesling White in 1898.
Bramley Reed Band: See: Bramley Band
Bramley Temperance Band: See: Bramley Band
Brampton Total Abstinence Brass Band (Cumberland): Records of the band, from 1892 to 1899, are held by Cumbria Record Office, Carlisle Headquarters. Supported by the lord of the manor, their temperance habit was spectacularly broken following a win at a local contest where they beat their rivals the Carlisle St Stephens Band. Subsequently they were disbanded.
Bramusa Family Band
Brancepeth Colliery Band (County Durham): See Willington Temperance Band
Brancepeth Welfare Band (County Durham): See Willington Temperance Band
Brandon Colliery Silver Prize Band (County Durham): Founded in 1890. Winners of the D and N Association Challenge Cup 1907, the Hunwick Cup 1909, and The Newburn Cup 1909. Still active in the 1970s following the colliery closure in 1968
Branksome & Parkstone Band (Dorset)
Branksome Town Band (Poole): Active in 1906
Branksome Town Band: Formed from several disbanded or abandoned bands in the Poole area. c 1934
Brantham Brass Band (Suffolk): Active in 1924
Brantham Xylonite Works Band (Suffolk): See: Xylonite Works Band
Brassington Band: The village had had a band at least since the celebrations for George III's coronation in 1761, and probably for very much longer. Inter-war photographs show the bandsmen, sometimes in uniform, with peaked caps, sometimes not, leading parades through the village. They played at all the outdoor events. The Village Hall committee's accounts, for instance, show a payment to "Brassington Silver Band" of £3-10-0d for playing at the Wakes in August 1946. They appear regularly thereafter for similar fees - by 1950 it had risen to £5 for the Wakes parade. The band, however, was short of bodies. It found it hard to find enough players to lead a parade or take on a concert and in 1964 amalgamated with the Wirksworth and Middleton bands to form the BMW band, practising at Wirksworth.
Braughing Band (Hertfordshire): Active in the 1890s
Braunton Silver Band
Brea Brass Band (Kerrier, Cornwall): Brea can be found a few miles south-east of Camborne and were formed c1883. Of the list of engagements that have been discovered, it seems odd (but not impossible) that their only appearances were at Sunday school tea treats. This band disappeared at about the same time that Camborne Town Band was formed (1896). Probably a coincidence.
Brechin Brass Band: Active in 1900, when it was the tenant of the "Hall" on Park Road, Brechin. A successor band, possibly formed after WW2, is the current Brechin City Band.
Brecknock Silver Band (London)
Brediland Concert Brass
Brenchley Town Band (Kent): Active in 1914 with C.W. Noakes as bandmaster
Bretby Colliery Band (Derbyshire): Active in 1895
Bridge Street Mill Band (Witney): Formed in 1880.
Bridgend & District Silver Band (Wales)
Bridgewater Imperial Band (Somerset): Formed in the 1930's but sadly demised 2004. Members of the S.W.B.B.A. they competed in the third section as late as about 1977.
Bridgnorth Band: Active in 1872
Bridlington Borough Prize Band: Active in 1912
Briercliffe Prize Brass Band: Formed in 1854, playing "selections from the most popular composers of the day," at Wild's Colossal Pavilion, Burnley, during a "Fashionable night" in January 1859. It was reorganised in 1866, with twenty members, and a new set of instruments was obtained. For some years the band was known as the Haggate Band and its members included Mr. John Foster, a noted solo euphonium player. Rehearsals began in a room at Finnymoore Foot, near Walverden, and the members were self-taught. All of them were singers, some being members of the Haggate Baptist choir. The first bandmaster on record was Robert Bannister, and after three or four years existence the band entered its first contest at Hollingworth, with the test pieces of the "Hallelujah Chorus" and "Kyrie" and "Gloria." Their performance was so creditable that they won the fourth prize of £5 and a soprano cornet. From 1902 the membership dwindled, and the band became practically extinct, but about 1906 it was revived. It folded in 1936.
Brierfield Public Band (Burnley): Active in the early 1900s, and to at least 1938
Brigg Brass Band (Lincolnshire): Entry in 1856 directory: "...celebrated for musical talent, being established many years ago, under the patronage of the late Earl of Yarborough"
Brigg Subscription Silver Band (Lincolnshire): Active in 1913/1919 when George Quarmby was the conductor, living in Bigby Street, Brigg. Formed in 1875 as Wrawby Brass Band. See: Wrawby Brass Band
Brigg Town Brass Band (Lincolnshire): Disbanded in December 2008.
Brighouse Borough Band (Yorkshire)
Brighton Corporation Band: Active in the 1900s
Brighton Corporation Tramways Band: Active in 1908
Brill Band (Buckinghamshire): Active in the 1880s
Brinscall Brass Band (Lancashire): Active in the early 1900s
Brinsley Imperial Band: Took part in the 44th Annual Temperance procession on Whit Monday in 1915. Starting from Somercotes, a sea of banners, flags and gaily decorated floats proceeded through Leabrooks and Riddings, gathering strength as it marched, and parading the village of Ironville before winding its way up to the Jessop Monument in Codnor Park. Still active in 1921
Brisley Brass Band (Norfolk): Active in the 1890s to 1910s. In 1913, in the will of the Rev. William Henry Lowe, rector of Brisley, he bequeaths to his successors as rector the instruments and accessories which belong to his brass band, and includes the list of instruments
Brislington Band (Bristol): Brislington is now a suburb of Bristol, but was formerly a rural village in North Somerset, which did not come fully into the Bristol Boundary until 1933. The Brislington Band [usually known as "Tom Weymouth's Band"] may have been founded around 1860, or earlier in the 19th century, we are not sure. Tom Weymouth was the bandmaster in the 1860s and was also landlord of 'The Pilgrim Inn' located at Hollywood Road.Brislington, it still stands today. Tom Weymouth took over the pub in 1862, and ran it, and the band until the 1890s,when both were taken over by his son also Tom. The band flourished until the 1900s, but Tom Jnr continued to run the Pilgrim until 1933. The band played at all local events, and there are local diaries from the 1860s noting that they went from house to house at Christmas and New Year's Eve. Notably they began the village celebrations for the Royal Wedding of the Princess of Wales [later Edward V11 and Queen Alexandra] in 1863, by playing at the top of the tower of the parish church of St Luke's. They also played regularly at Bristol Zoo, at some time, and played at the opening of Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol in 1864. It is also believed that the Band played when the Keynsham [a near neighbour village] Mummers performed in Brislington. When Brislington's first public park [King Edward VII's Pleasure Grounds] was opened in 1903 a band stand was presented by Miss Annette Clayfield-Ireland, sister of Alfred Clayfield-Ireland the 'Squire of Brislington' of Brislington Hall. Sadly both park and bandstand have long since been covered by modern housing.
Thanks to Jonathon Rowe [archivist] & Grahan Crimmins
Brison's Brass Band (Bristol): Active in 1864, when they took part in the processions celebrating the official opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
Bristol Aeroplane Company Works Band: Formed 1939
Bristol Alkali Works Band (Bristol): Active in 1864, when they took part in the processions celebrating the official opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
Bristol and District N.U.R. Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Bristol Britannia Band: Active in 1904
Bristol East Band: Formed in 1892 as Bristol East Temperance Band. Amalgamated with the Kingswood (Bristol) Band in 2007 to form Bristol East and Kingswood Band.
Bristol East Temperance Band: See: Bristol East Band
Bristol Gas Company Brass Band: Active in the 1890s
Bristol Imperial Prize Band: Active around 1905
Bristol Mission Prize Band: Active in 1906
Bristol Post Office Brass Band: Formed in 1885 - still active in 1936
Bristol Youth Band: Active in the 1960s and 1970s
Britag Band: Active in 1985
Britannia Ironworks Band: See: Britannia Works Band (Banbury)
Britannia Silver Prize Band (Doncaster): Formed after 1900 and gave concerts during WW1, still in existence in 1927
Britannia Works Band (Banbury): Industrialist and philanthropist Bernhard Samuelson owned the Britannia Works for the manufacture of agricultural machinery. This attracted a labour force to the town and created a need for the education of the children of Samuelson's employees, which was served by Banbury's Britannia Road School. Space within the school was sometimes used by the Britannia Band as for instance on the occasion of the relief of Mafeking in 1900. The first ever school treat was held on August 12, 1862 when 260 children and about 70 staff and friends had tea on the lawn of Samuelson's residence, Bodicote Grange. The children sang and the Britannia Works Band played 'a number of airs'. Six years later we are told that tea, cake and fruit were plentiful but that a heavy shower of rain at 5 o'clock dampened the grass but not the children's spirits. Competed in the British Open in 1893 and was still active in the 1930s
Britannia Works Band (Gainsborough): See: Gainsborough Britannia Works Band
British Aerospace (Chadderton) Band (Oldham): Formerly called Newton Heath Band.
British Aluminium Band (Camelon, Scotland)
British Insulated Cables Callender's Band: See: Callender's Cable Works Band
British Insulated and Helsby Cables Band: See: B.I.H.C. Band
British Insulated Cables Company Brass Band: See: B.I.H.C. Band
British Oil and Cake Mills Band (Hull): Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
British Oil and Cake Mills, Ltd. (Hull) Silver Prize Band: See: British Oil and Cake Mills Band
British Railways (Gorton Works) Band: See: L.N.E.R. (Gorton) Works Band
British Railways (Mirfield) Band: Active in 1949
British Railways (Sheffield) Band: Active in 1949
British Ropes Excelsior Band: Active in 1969/72
British Ropes Silver Band (Doncaster): Active in 1940s and 1950s
British Steel Company North Skelton Band: See: North Skelton and District Band
British Steel Teesside Band: See: North Skelton and District Band
British Telecom Band: See: Stockport Telephone Band
British Thompson Houston Band (Rugby): Between 1935-1946 Jephthah (Jeff) Baxter was Bandmaster. BTH was an engineering company from Rugby,and the band played on the B.B.C. Home Service during WW2.
British Vita Works Band: Active in 1973/4
British Workman's Brass Band: See: Pendleton Old Prize Band
Brixham Excelsior Band: Active in 1910
Brixworth Brass Band (Northamptonshire)
Broad Chalke Brass Band (Wiltshire): Active before the First World War
Broadclough Band: See: Bacup Old Band
Brockhampton Band
Brockhurst Brass Band (near Monks Kirby, Birmingham): Active in 1875
Brocklesby Brass Band: Active in the 1880s
Broadway Brass Band (Worcestershire): Active in 1873 and through to 1893 at least.
Brodsworth Colliery Welfare Band (Doncaster): Active from the 1940s to the end of the 1980s. Competed in the Junior Shield in 1962, conducted by D.V. Hardy
Brodsworth Colliery Welfare and Institute Band: See: Brodsworth Colliery Welfare Band
Brodsworth Colliery (T.S.B) Band: See: Brodsworth Colliery Welfare Band
Brodsworth Main Club & Institute Band: See: Brodsworth Colliery Welfare Band
Brodsworth Main Colliery Band: See: Brodsworth Colliery Welfare Band
Broken Hill Band (Australia)
Bromborough Pool Silver Prize Band (Cheshire): Active in 1889. In 1896 the secretary was John Marshall and the band was known as Bromborough Village Band. In 1902 (known as Bromborough Pool Village Band), and 1914, the secretary was James Harris
Bromborough Pool Village Band: See: Bromborough Pool Silver Prize Band
Bromborough Village Band: See: Bromborough Pool Silver Prize Band
Bromley Borough Band: Active in 1938
Brompton Boys' Institute Band
Brompton Silver Band: Active in the 1930s
Bromwich Subscription Band: Active in the early 1900s
Bronwydd and Llysnewydd Brass Band: An account from 1st July 1895 - the day the railway opened between Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul. "The whole town turned out to welcome the opening of the railway. Schoolchildren were given a day's holiday and an organising committee had been hard at work making all the arrangements for the historic day. Shortly before 10 am the town's schoolchildren all wearing rosettes and flowers marched in procession to the station headed by the Bronwydd and Llysnewydd Brass Band. There they boarded three special excursion trains of 12 carriages each for a return trip to Llandysul. According to the report in the Tivyside, saloon carriages were provided for the teachers and members of the organising committee. On the return of the excursion trains nearly 2,000 children and adults sat down to tea in the Market Hall. During the afternoon the band played through the streets and everything "wore a most festive appearance."
Brook's Band (Thwaites, near Keighley)
Broomhill and Chevington Collieries Brass Band (Northumberland): Active in 1912. Bandmaster at one time was Edward Thirtle. A selection of his family and band photographs have been lodged with the Woodhorn Colliery museum in Ashington, Northumberland.
Broomhill Colliery Band (Amble, Northumberland): Active in 1900, probably formed in the 1880s. Still active in the 1950s but had disbanded before 1961.
Brotherton Brass Band (Yorkshire): Wound up in the courts as of 27th March 1962
Brotherton Old Band: Active in 1920s and 1930s
Brotton Temperance Band (Cleveland): Formed in the 1890s, active in 1908, and probably folded during the Great War.
Brown's Works Band: See: Blaina Band
Brownedge Brass Band (Preston): Active in the 1850s
Browney Colliery Band (Brandon, Co. Durham): Formed in 1899, folded around 1938.
Brownhills Excelsior Brass Band (Staffordshire): Active in 1920s
Brunner Brass Band (New Zealand): Active in the 1890s
Brunswick Hall Brass Band (Whitechapel): Active around 1913
Bruthen Band (Victoria, Australia)
Brymbo Steel Works Band (Wrexham): Presumably folded by the early 60s, when a worker installing a crane in the loft space of the old steel works stores discovered a complete set of brass band instruments covered in dust, which looked as if they had been there for years. Inquiries were made with the steelworks management and several days later they had gone. The steelworks themselves closed in 1990.
Brynamman Silver Band: Active in 1907, and the 1920s when the conductor was Herbert Rees
Brynamman Territorials Brass Band
Brynamman Town Band
Brynamman Voluntary Band
Brynmawr Salvation Army Band: Active c. 1930s
Brynmawr Silver Band (South Wales): Active c. 1934 and 1948
Brynmawr Town and District Silver Band: Active c. 1920
BT Band: See: Stockport Telephone Band
Buckden Band (Cambridgeshire): Reputed to have been one of the largest village bands in the country at one time.
Buckfastleigh British Legion Band (Devon)
Buckfastleigh Town Band (Devon): Active in 1907
Buchan Brass Band
Buckhaven Town Band: Formed in 1905. Amalgamated with Wellesley Colliery Band in 1976 to form the current Buckhaven & Methil Miners Band.
Buckley Engineers Volunteer Brass Band: Formed in 1880. Known as the Mill Band as it rehearsed in the mill in Mill Lane, Buckley. It was still active in 1898 and won first prize at an Eisteddford in Holywell.
Buckley Mill Band: See: Buckley Engineers Volunteer Brass Band
Buckley Hall Orphanage Brass Band (Rochdale): The orphanage opened in 1888. There was also a drum and fife band, and a choir at the home.
Bucknall Ex-Servicemen's Band (Staffordshire): Active in 1928, conducted by Mr Henshall.
Budleigh Salterton British Legion Silver Band: Active in 1933, when the bandmaster was C.J. Bedwell and the secretary H.J. Burch
Budock Water Band (Carrick Cornwall): That there was a band under this title there is no doubt, but all that can be discovered is that it carried out two engagements in 1897, and that was that. Probably a makeshift band of players who wanted to earn a few extra pennies.
Bulamwaal Band (Victoria, Australia)
Bulford Band (Wiltshire): Active in 1903
Bullcroft Colliery Ambulance Band: Active in 1927
Bullcroft Main Colliery Band: Active in the 1950s
Bullcroft Miners Ambulance Band: Active in the 1950s and 1960s. Competed in the Junior Cup in 1962, conducted by J. Woods
Bullcroft Welfare Band (South Yorkshire)
Bulwell Excelsior Prize Band (Nottinghamshire): "The Kimberley Baptist Church Sunday School banner was paraded through Kimberley's streets in June 1911 when the coronation of King George V was celebrated. All of the local churches marched behind the Bulwell Excelsior Prize Band after assembling on the cricket field. "
Buntingford Silver Band (Hertfordshire)
Burgess Hill Brass Band: Formed in 1890, and was an active and successful band in the 1970/1980s, when it's most successful Musical Director was Arthur Chapman, and the Band was very strong in contests. In the early 80's several of the senior players left to reform the then defunct Handcross Band and the fortunes of the band fell for several years. It amalgamated with the Haywards Heath Town Prize Silver Band in 1986 to form the the Mid Sussex Brass Band.
Burley & Ilkley Band (Yorkshire)
Burley Silver Prize Band: Rehearsed in the Township School in Burley-in-Wharfedale.
Burnage and District Band: Active in the 1940s to 1960s. Competed in the Junior Shield in 1962, conducted by W. Stopford.
Burnage Prize Band
Burnage (Manchester) Band: Active in the 1970s and 1980s.
Burnham and Highbridge Band: Competed in the 1962 West of England Regional Championships (3rd Section), conducted by W.S. Farr
Burnhope Colliery Band (County Durham): Formed in the late 1890s and folded in the 1950s
Burnley Artillery Band
Burnley Band: Active in the 1860s to 1890s
Burnley and District Band: Active in the 1940s.
Burnley Catholic Brass Band: Formed in the late 1880s by John Rafferty and others.
Burnley Home Guard Association Band (Lancashire)
Burnley Police Band
Burnley Public Band: Active in the 1930s
Burnley Temperance Band: Active in the 1890s and competed in the Grand Shield in 1933
Burnopfield and District Band: See: Burnopfield Colliery Band
Burnopfield Colliery Band (Newcastle): Active between 1903 and 1939
Burnopfield Silver Model Band: See: Burnopfield Colliery Band
Burnt Heath Band (Essex): Formed in the neighbouring hamlet of Crockleford Heath in the early 1900s, it folded in the 1940s. For more details, see Grandad Played The Cornet: A History of Brass Bands in North East Essex, by David Cawdell.
Burnt Yates Old Band: Formed in the 1860s, folded in 1885.
Burntisland Band: See: Burntisland Burgh Band
Burntisland Burgh Band: Active in 1906, and still active in 1960
Burntwood Temperance Silver Prize Band
Burradon Colliery Band (Newcastle): Formed in the 1890s, had folded by the end of the 1960s
Burradon Silver Model Band: See: Burradon Colliery Band
Burry Port Town Band: Originally formed as Elliotts Smelting Works Band in 1896, it lasted until the 1930s, when it folded. A successor band was formed in 1972
Burslem Band: Active in 1880s
Burslem Prize Band (Staffs): Active in 1894
Burslem Imperial Band: Extant in 1930
Burtle Band: Active in 1907
Burton Band (Burton-on-Trent): Already active in 1897, conducted by Mr W. Twells, when the new Burton Silver Prize Band was founded
Burton Excelsior Band (Burton-on-Trent): Formed in 1905 by Ernie S. Cox, a Burton fruiterer. Rehearsed at the Robin Hood Inn at that time. The band's uniform was very dark green with contrasting green piping on the trousers, tunic and cap. Ernie Cox conducted the band until the 1930s when Fred Adams took over the baton. Ernie Cox transported the band to and from engagements on the back of his fruiterer's delivery lorry. Gained seventh place at the Derby Festival on 22 August 1912, and competed in a contest run by the Daily Herald at Skegness, with 30 bands, using the test piece March of the Heralds. Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s, on one occasion a second place was obtained. Competed in a brass band contest at Overseal, Leicestershire in July 1921, under conductor E. Booth (drawn 6 of 11 bands, they were not placed). The band folded at the outbreak of the Second World War.
Burton Excelsior Silver Band: See: Burton Excelsior Band
Burton Latimer Britannia Silver Prize Band (Northamptonshire): Active in 1906
Burton Leonard Brass Band (Harrogate): Active in 1908
Burton (Newall) Band: Active in the 1970s
Burton Pidsea Brass Band (Yorkshire): Active in late 1800s
Burton Silver Prize Band (Burton-on-Trent): Formed around 1897 by Harry Reynolds. Competed at Tamworth Castle in 1907, Crystal Palace in 1908, took sixth prize at the Derby Festival on 22 August 1912, and first prizes at Moira in 1913 and 1914. It also gained second prize at the Crystal Palace Preliminary Shield Championships around that time. Further Crystal Palace appearances were made in 1921 (sixth prize in the third section), 1923 (fourth prize in the second section, playing Mendelssohn's Ruy Blas against 26 other bands), and again in 1931. It broadcast on BBC Radio in May 1935 to great acclaim. The conductor was H.A. Reynolds and the band played Punchinello by Rimmer, Light Cavalry by Suppé, the cornet duet Playmates by Greenwood (soloists S. Parker and H. Gallimore), In the Twilight by Rimmer, The Harvesters' Country Dance by Cope, Gondoliers Selection by Sullivan, The Piper's Wedding by Kennedy Thayne, and Martial Moments by Winter. The band folded at the outbreak of the Second World War.
Burton Town Silver Prize Band: See: Burton Silver Prize Band
Burwash Brass Band (Sussex): Musical director at one time was Anthony Spurgin, well known for his musical compositions for brass band and orchestra.
Burwell Band (Cambridgeshire): From the 1850s Burwell had its own village band, after 1918 intermittently revived into the 1990s as the Excelsior Band
Bury Borough Band: Formed in 1848, took 4th prize at the first Bellevue contest in 1853
Bury Brass Band: See: Ainsworth Brass Band
Bury Fire Brigade Band: See: Bury Public Silver Band
Bury Public Silver Band (Lancashire): Formed as Heap Bridge Brass Band in 1877 by members of Heap Bridge United Methodist Church, in 1881 became connected with the firm of Messrs. B. & G. Wrigley, woollen manufacturers. Began contesting that year and during the period to 1888 had won 14 prizes. A new set of instruments, value £400 and uniforms £120 were purchased in 1882. Known as 1st Volunteer Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers Band (later the Band of the Territorial Army 5th Battalion) between 1891 and 1918. After the war, they reverted to the title of Heap Bridge Brass Band. Became Bury Fire Brigade Band in 1939, and reformed in January 1946 as Bury Public Silver Band. Records of the band, from 1885-1914, are held at Bury Archive Service
Busk Congregational Old Boys Band: Active in 1933
Buslingthorpe Band (Yorkshire)
Butterfield's Tank Works Band: Formed in 1945 at the Butterfield Tank Works, Shipley. "....at the West Riding Brass Band Society's contest at Doncaster, won the first prize in the selection section and the second prize in the march selection. Second prize in the selection section was Hade Edge Silver Band, Holmfirth, conducted by Mr Albert Robinson." (from the Telegraph & Argus of December 7th, 1952)
Butterfly Colliery Ambulance Band: Merged with Codnor Old Prize Band at some point.
Butterknowle Prize Silver Band (County Durham): Active in 1887
Butterknowle Silver Colliery Band (County Durham): Formed in the 1890s, probably folded after 1945
Butterley Colliery Ambulance Band: Active in 1930s
Buttershaw Mills Band (Bradford): Active in the 1860/1870s
Butterworth's Vale Brassworks Band (Rochdale): Active in 1918
Buxted Silver Prize Band (Sussex): Formed 1912 as Buxted Wesleyan Band
Buxted Wesleyan Band: See: Buxted Silver Prize Band
Buxton Band: Disbanded after the Second World War
Buxton British Legion Band: Formed after the Great War and practiced in the Peak Buildings, Buxton. It flourished between the wars, but struggled during and after WW2 and finally folded around 1948/49.

C
C.E.T. Band (Hexham): Active in 1909
C.W.A. Brass: Formed in 1994 by the merger of Carrick Whitehouse Silver (CWS) Band and Agnes Street Band. Further merged with the Ashgrove Band in 2009 to form Carrick With Ashgrove Brass
C.W.S. (Manchester) Band: Formed in 1900 as the CWS Tobacco Factory Band, changed to CWS (Manchester) Band in 1937. It became the City of Manchester Band in 1985, finally disbanding in 1993. A group of workers from the CWS Tobacco Factory in Manchester got together to form a band in 1900, one which quickly made a name for itself on the concert and contest circuit. In 1931 the old Tobacco Band, conducted by J. A. Greenwood was awarded first prize at the Grand Shield Competition at the Crystal Palace. In 1946 the directors of the CWS changed its name to the CWS (Manchester) Band. In 1947 Fred Roberts from Brighouse & Rastrick was offered the position of Bandmaster alongside their new professional conductor Eric Ball. In December 1947, at the age of seventeen, Derek Garside was invited from Brighouse & Rastrick to be the Principal Cornet at CWS - a position he was to hold with distinction for the next 25 years.
The first major success the new band had was at the British Open Championships at Belle Vue in 1948. In the Centenary British Open Championships of 1952 under the baton of Eric Ball, they were awarded the title of British Open Champions for the second time playing the Henry Geehl test piece 'Scena Sinfonica'. Alex Mortimer was appointed as Musical Director in 1954.
Between 1947 and 1970 they took part in the British Open Championships in the Kings Hall, Belle Vue on 18 occasions and won it 4 times and were placed on 12 occasions. They took part in the Daily Herald National Brass Band Finals in London practically every year following their contest successes as North West Area Champions in 1955, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961 and 1962, which saw them crowned champions for the sixth time in eight years, also registering the area's first senior class of hat trick wins. With the exception of 1961 when they were led to victory by their bandmaster Tom White, they were conducted by Alex Mortimer. In addition they were runners-up at six area championship contests and placed sixth in 1970 in the World Championships.
Prior to competing in the 1962 National Finals they had already collected 5 second prizes and 3 third prizes in twelve appearances at the senior finals. In the eight Edinburgh International Festival contests the band entered, they took 4 first prizes, 4 second prizes and, with the exception of 1953 when they were conducted by Jack Atherton, they were conducted by Eric Ball (1949/50/51/52) and Alex Mortimer (1954/55/56). The band took part in the National Festival Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1955, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1968 and 1969.
The band finally achieved their long awaited crowning glory on Saturday, 20th October 1962 when they won the Daily Herald National Brass Band Championships at the Royal Albert Hall with Musical Director, Alex Mortimer, playing Frank Wright's arrangement of Verdi's 'Force of Destiny'. A performance which is still talked about today - forty years on… An achievement they went on to repeat the following year in 1963 playing 'Belmont Variations' by Sir Arthur Bliss.
The band toured throughout the United Kingdom and went on numerous continental tours, including Canada in June/July 1972 with Fairey Aviation Band, Black Dyke Mills Band and G.U.S. (Footwear) Band. Owing to Alex Mortimer's continuing ill health he was unable to go on this tour which meant Derek Garside the band's Resident Conductor then became Musical Director and took charge of the band on that tour. A few months prior to Derek's appointment the band had once again qualified for the national finals under the direction of what was to be Alex Mortimer's last appearance on stage at an area contest. Although Derek led the band through that summer it was 'Mort' who had found sufficient strength and determination to lead them for just one more time at the Royal Albert Hall playing Eric Ball's test piece 'A Kensington Overture' off number three but the results showed that it was not to be their year.
In 1973 Derek led the band to qualification at the North West Area contest, ensuring they took part in the national finals once again. This was a memorable occasion for Derek on what was his first appearance at the Royal Albert Hall as Musical Director, leading them to second place behind B & R. Under Derek's direction the band did well and was awarded first place in both 1975 and again in 1976 at the North West Area Finals - Derek had announced in advance of this performance that he would be leaving the band after the London finals. He was followed by Trevor Walmsley DFC as the last full time Musical Director of the band, followed by Frank Renton with Stan Whiteman as the Resident Bandmaster. Shortly before Frank arrived to take up the reins Maurice Handford the former Principal Horn player from the Halle Orchestra and Orchestral conductor took them for a short while.
On Sunday, 3rd April 1977, at the Preston Guild Hall, conducted by Trevor Walmsley DFC the band could only manage third place at the North West Area Contest, which ended a run of twenty four successive appearances at the national finals in London. In 1985 the C.W.S. Board of Directors decided that a brass band was not the image the Co-op wished to promote in the future and made the decision the band would cease to exist - for the record the last appearance of the band was at Dobcross Band Club in 1985. Manchester City Council then took over the band which was renamed The City of Manchester Band, which finally folded in March 1993.
C.W.S. Tobacco Factory Band: See: C.W.S. (Manchester) Band
Cable & Wireless Band (London): Formed in 1940, originally for boy messengers, but included girl messengers during the War. In 1947 there were "7 lady members" of the band.
Cadbury Bournville Works Band
Cadfan and District Band (North Wales): Active in 1948
Cadfan Silver Band (North Wales): Refused the right to bear the title "Royal" in 1934
Caergwrle Brass Band (Wrexham)
Caerau Silver Band: Active in 1921
Caerphilly Silver Band: Active in 1907
Cairnie Colliery Band: Active in 1862 - Took part in a gala procession in Musselburgh on July 17th
Caistor Town Band (Lincolnshire): Active in 1905
Calder Vale Subscription Band: Active in the 1920s/30s. Still active in 1951 when they competed in the 4th section North West regional championships at the Victoria Hall, Bolton.
California Works Band (Gomersal)
Callender's Cable Works Band (Erith, Kent): Formed in 1898 as the Belvedere Baptist Temperance Band. This arose when some members of the Belvedere Salvation Army Band were given an ultimatum to cease playing their favourite march "Now or Never", which was a secular piece, or leave. They left and formed the Baptist Band, with J. Maycock as Bandmaster. They soon amalgamated with the Belvedere Military Band and were then renamed the Belvedere Excelsior Band, still with Maycock as bandmaster and E.H. Alder as conductor. In 1907 the entire membership was working for Callender's and they sought and won sponsorship from the company. The band was at its height in the 1920s with three second places in the National Championships and the British Open, together with several recordings and many broadcasts which maintained the high profile of the band through the Second World War. When Callender's Cable & Construction Company merged with British Insulated Cables in 1945 to form British Insulated Callender's Cables, the band became the BICC Band. The band was still honouring commitments to play for the BBC in December 1960 when the following month BICC decided to close down the band. When it disbanded, its library was purchased by the current Haydock Band, the players retained their instruments and the bandroom at the works was eventually bulldozed to the ground.
Callington Town Band (Cornwall): Active in the 1850s, first recorded appearance in 1859 leading a procession at the Philanthropic Society's Festival. In 1886 the Band played at the opening of the first reservoir at Ashburton Farm, Florence Road. In July 1892 the Band provided the music on a steamer trip from Calstock with the Cricket Club. In 1895 the Band led the Church Parade of the Foresters, Oddfellows and Rechabites. In 1902 they played when Lord Compton unveiled a fountain in the wall of the Primary School. In 1911 they played at the celebrations in the town to mark the Coronation of King George the Fifth. In 1912 they played at the opening of the New Market Hall and Fountain. In 1913 they played at Callington Cricket Club Annual Fete (conducted by Mr J Taylor) and for Carnival Day and Bonfire Night. In 1914 they played in the afternoon and evening at a Boy Scouts Grand Fete at Haye, and a Band of Hope Fete at St Ive. In 1921 the Band played at the Callington Show, conducted by Mr G Buzza. In 1923 the Band headed the procession for the Town Fete and Show. They also appeared at Pensilva Festival, a Picnic at Castleleigh, Callington Hospital Fete, and the Cricket & Football Clubs' Sports Day, conducted by Mr James Jago. Mr Jago conducted the Band until 1932, when he retired. The band probably disbanded in 1933 as no further records of it appear. However, a successor band was formed in 1996 "after a thirty year gap", which implies the band possibly continued until the mid 1960s.
Calstock Band (Carrick/Cornwall): The Calstock Band was playing publically from c1858 to the late 1920's. There engagements were of a very local nature and in 1887, as a reward for playing at the Calstock celebrations of Queen Victoria's Jubilee, they were given £4 and a free tea! The man who conducted them from 1920 to 1925 was known as "Old Bob Presron" and seems to have been looked upon with great affection both by band and public.
Calulu Band (Victoria, Australia)
Calverley and Greengates Band (Yorkshire)
Calverton Brass Band (Nottinghamshire): Active in 1878 when the band played at the Calverton & District Floral & Horticultural Show on July 22nd. Conducted by Mr Morley, its concert programme was: Sympathy (R. Smith), Defence (J. Frost), Cavatina (Bellini), The Sea Lion (J. Wright), Rose of Love (R. Smith), Golden Sunbeam (H. Round), Killarney (T. Haigh), We Don't Want to Fight (J, Metcalf), Queen's Prize (H. Round), Every Land's My Home (Blair). The Band probably folded prior to 1914. From the Newark Advertiser, May 28 1902 - "The annual club feast in connection with members of the Ancient Order of Druids was held on Thursday last. The members marched in procession to the parish church, headed by the Calverton Brass Band"
Calverton Colliery Welfare Band (Nottinghamshire): Formed in the late 1940s, early 1950s, with instruments provided by the Miners Welfare Organisation. Won the third section in the Eighth Mineworkers' National Brass Band Contest at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, in 1969. Disbanded in the early 1990s following the closure of the colliery. Web Link
Camberwell Silver Band (London): Active in 1962
Camberwell Temperance Silver Band
Cambois Colliery Band (Northumberland): Formed in the early 1900s and lasted until the 1950s/1960s
Camborne Royal Trophy Band (Cornwall): Active in 1913
Cambridge Albion Band: Formed on November 18th 1921, at a meeting held at 17 Abbey Street, Cambridge. Those present were: D. Brown, Mr R.E. Austin (bandmaster), Mr D.J. Brown, Mr C. J. Brown, Mr H. Holder, Mr. F. Green, Mr. J. Barrett, Mr. H. Brown. It merged with the Cambridge Town Band in 1927, to form the Cambridge Town Silver Band. A report of the time states: "They proposed to buy a set of new triple silver-plated instruments made by Messrs Hawkes, London, with the now famous "Profundo" basses as played by the St Hilda Colliery Band. This would greatly improve the tonal qualities of the band; there was not another band in the Eastern counties with such instruments"
For more details and information from the band's record books, see: Cambridge Albion Silver Band Records
Cambridge Brass Band (New Zealand): Active in 1901
Cambridge Heath Band: Active in 1920
Cambridge Railway Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Took part in a contest in Cambridge Guildhall in 1925 which it won to great excitement. "There was a furore of applause from the large audience present, and the bandsmen themselves momentarily lost their heads in their enthusiasm. The dignity of the large hall, which had rung for well nigh two hours with the blare of brass instruments was quite forgotten. Hats were thrown high into the air and trombones and cornets waved to delighted friends among the audience."
Cambridge Railway Silver Band: See: Cambridge Railway Band
Cambridge Silver Prize Band: Active in 1945
Cambridge Town Band: Merged with the Cambridge Albion Band in 1927, to form the Cambridge Silver Band.
Cambridge University Volunteer Band: Active around 1885-92. G.H. Kirkup played the baritone during that period.
Cambusbarron Band: Formed 1882, could not contest for the first five years due to lack of proper instruments. In 1886 a subscription sale on Art Union principles realised £190 which enabled them to purchase the necessary instruments
Cambusnethan Band: Formed in 1870 and, up to 1886 when it amalgamated with Newmains Band, it had attended 18 contests netting 13 prizes worth £125 10s.
Camden Unity Band
Camelon Brass Band (Scotland): It was formed in 1832 as a more sophisticated form of a Flute Band which had been formed in 1830 mainly at the instigation of Robert Smith. The Smiths had a long and distinguished association with the Band. The father maintained his connection for forty years and his son Robert was leader of the Band for about forty years and was closely connected with it for over fifty. On Friday 10th November 1907 a presentation was made in The Victoria Inn when Robert Smith was presented with a long service gold medal and a gold albert to mark his 52 years with the Band. In the Falkirk Mail of 16th November a poem appeared entitled "Auld Camelon Band", of which the first verse is:
"There's Auld Camelon Band they're aye tae the fore; They started wi' flutes in the year'34,
If you had only heard them their music you'd adore, ~ For always their number was less than a score,
But noo their auld flutes ha'e been turned into brass~ Three cheers tae the friends that gave them the cash,
For we've all joined together to gi'e them a hand, and try and make good members tae the auld Camelon Band."
The original founder had four sons all of whom played in the Band despite the fact only one of them, presumably Robert, could read music, he whistled the tunes and the others picked them up from this. Each of the sons had nicknames which were "Whip," "Radical," "Bit' and "8oosey." The latter name did not derive from an addiction to strong drink, but from the owner's predilection for musical instruments made by the famous London manufacturer of instruments of that name. In the programme for a Bazaar held at the beginning of the century to raise funds for the Band there is a brief sketch of the Band's history from which the following is an extract. "The chief industry of the village at that time was Nailmaking, and the Nailers, whatever other virtues and vices they possessed, could not be accused of closefistedness. To a man they assisted their musical brethren to accomplish their purpose. Out of their comparatively slender earnings they contributed so liberally that in a short time the Band was furnished with all the instruments then considered necessary, namely, Keyed Bugles, French Horns, Trumpets, Trombones, Ophicleide, and a bass instrument called "The Serpent." All these instruments, if we except the Trombone, are now obsolete."
As a breakaway from the Camelon Brass Band, Charlie Wright, who once owned the Canal Inn, formed the Wright Memorial Band. Mr Wright was a notable character in the area who resided in the first house in Blinkbonny Road. Each New Year' s morning he would come out and stand at his door and serenade the village with the tune "A Guid New Year to Ane and A' ."
Active in 1928, conducted by George Smith.
Camelon Silver Band (Scotland): See: Camelon Brass Band
Cameron Ironworks Band: See: Yorkshire Evening Post Band
Camerons Silver Prize Band: See: Whitworth Band
Camerton and Clifton Band (Workington)
Cammell Laird Band (Birkenhead): Formed 1957, disbanded 1972. Originally conducted by Rex Mortimer, then James Scott, it gained success in contests through the 1960s, but was abruptly disbanded by the company in 1972.
Tim Mutum recorded:
The Cammell Laird Works Band was originally a combination of brass and reed. It was based in Birkenhead and all the players were employed by the ship building and ship repairing company of that name. Not surprisingly, it was formed to provide music for what is always the proudest moment of a shipyard's life, the launching of a newly built vessel. The band dates from 1957 but whether that was the year of its formation or when it went all brass is not clear. However, in 1958 Rex Mortimer became musical director in addition to his main role with Fodens Band. In that year they entered their first competition, at Blackpool, and were placed a respectable seventh. In 1959 the band secured the Fourth Section North West title, going on to win the National title itself in London. The start of a remarkable ascent to the very top echelons of British banding had begun. In 1960 James Scott, then principal cornetist at Munn and Felton's Band, was appointed bandmaster. James was at the peak of his playing career so this appointment was surprising. James says that he felt the time was right. In the spring of 1960 a letter arrived from the managing director of Cammell Laird asking if he would be interested in moving to become the musical director of the band. After a great deal of thought - it was a gamble with no guarantee of success - he decided to take the plunge, as his desire to conduct had to be met at some stage. He moved back north where he began what was to become a successful conducting career and, at the same time, gained valuable experience as a trumpet player with the major northern symphony orchestras. The first few months were not the success James Scott had hoped. The band was in the Third Section when he first joined them as bandmaster and Rex Mortimer was still professional conductor - James still thinks of it as his apprenticeship into the world of conducting. Rex stayed a couple years and then it was left to James and gradually they began to improve. In 1961 the band won both the Second Section North West Area and repeated their 1959 success by winning the National title in London too. Within four years the band had reached the Championship Section. James Scott attributed the success that followed to the fact that the membership of the band remained stable throughout the mid 1960s, with the exception of a couple of policemen who moved on through their police work. The band was a team. The band won the Championship Section North West Area for the first time in 1964 and James Scott led them to their first appearance in the National Finals later that year. Drawn 24th and last band to play on Gilbert Vinter's 'Variations on a Ninth' they played far beyond their expectations and took 4th place. A year later, they repeated their North West victory, going onto London where they were runners-up behind Fairey. Further visits to the National Championships in London followed, as the band added two further runner up placings in Blackpool plus a third in subsequent years. In 1966 they were again placed fourth, and although they failed to gain a place in the 1967 and did not qualify in 1968, in 1969 James Scott led them to sixth place. The band's final visit to the Royal Albert Hall was in 1970 after they won the North West Area for a third and final time. Despite the diluted field of rivals due to the World Championships, the band could not finish in the prizes. It was their last appearance at a major contest. The band's appearances at the British Open started in 1962 and ended in 1966 without them ever getting a mention in the prizes. By the early 1970s shipbuilding was in decline and the band's future became uncertain. In April 1972 it was tersely announced that the band had been closed down, the instruments and uniforms called in and future engagements cancelled. A few years later James Scott had this to say, "The firm didn't realise what they'd got - they were Philistines. Shipbuilding began to decline and they finished the band - said they couldn't afford to run it. It was very sad".
Cammell Laird Shipbuilding & Engineering Band: See: Cammell Laird Band
Campbelltown Methodist Christian Endeavour Brass Band (New South Wales, Australia): Active in 1903
Campden Town Band (Chipping Campden): James Walter (Jim) Pyment was the Foreman of the Guild of Handicraft Woodworking Shop and a good organiser. The Town Band in Campden was formed earlier than 1862, when there is a record of it playing for a wedding. The Guild arrived in 1902, and Jim Pyment took over the leadership of the Band in 1903, using the School of Arts and Crafts lecture hall at Elm Tree House for practices and being warmly thanked in the end of Session reports for his attention and assistance. There is a photo of the band larking about in the garden of Elm Tree House at band practice. The Town Band was awarded First Prize for brass bands at the Madresfield Musical Competition in May, 1904. At the annual dinner in July, it was reported that an instrument fund was established and that monies gained from playing about the town most Saturdays was being collected to enable the Band to go to hear a Band contest at Crystal Palace in September. In 1905 the bandsmen were outfitted in new military style uniforms. The band continued into the 1920/30's, even though the musicians were not all Campdonians. It probably disbanded towards the end of the 1930s. Bandsmen in 1904 were:
James Walter (Jimmy) Pyment (Band leader, Senior Guildsman, since 1894, Foreman of the Wood shop); Charley Downer (Guildsman since 1898, Metal Worker and blacksmith); Bill Thornton (Guildsman since 1894, Metal Worker and blacksmith); Arthur Pyment (son of Jim Pyment); Algernon Hathaway (Morris man, killed in 1915 at Dardanelles); Fred Hathaway (Morris man, elder brother of Algernon); Dennis Hathaway (leader of Morris men, eldest brother of Fred and Algernon); Bill Aston; Charley Aston; Frank Bennett; Fred Bennett (Stonemason); Noah Bennett; Jacky Webb; Charley Grove; Bill Harris; Fred Taylor; Gran Huckfield; Arthur Ernest Bunten (Guildsman since 1902, cabinet maker, played the lead cornet, half-brother of Jim Pyment); Charley Veale.
List of some activities of the Campden Brass Band between 1862 and 1902, from the Evesham Journal:
Oddfellows dinner (28-6-1862); Wedding (30-8-1862); Britannia Club Day (10-6-1865); OddFellows Day (24-6-1865); Britannia Club Day (26-5-1866); Britannia Club Day (15-6-1867); OddFellows Day (29-6-1867); Pic-Nic, Westington (31-8-1867); Britannia Club Day (13-6-1868); Oddfellows Day (11-7-1868); Annual Fete and Pic-Nic (11-7-1868); Penny Reading (13-2-1869); Gas Company Dinner (5-2-1870); Britannia Club Day (11-6-1870); Oddfellows Club Day (18-6-1870); Church Bazaar (6-8-1870); Spring Races (11-2-1871); Britannia Club Day (3-6-1871); Britannia Club Day (7-6-1873); Oddfellows Club Day (14-6-1873); Britannia Club Day (30-5-1874); Britannia Club Day (22-5-1875); Oddfellows Club Day (29-5-1875); Horticultural Show (11-9-1875); Britannia Club Day (10-6-1876); Oddfellows Club Day (17-6-1876); Jubilee Celebrations/ (25-6-1887); OddFellows Club Day (2-7-1887); Britannia Club Day (26-5-1888); Pic-Nic, Court House Grounds (2-6-1888); Sunday School Treat (28-7-1888); Corpus Christi Procession (29-6-1889); Britannia Club Day (31-5-1890); RC Church Opening (28-6-1890); Sunday School Treat (9-8-1890); Stroud Society Club Day (18-6-1892); Royal Wedding Celebration (8-7-1893); Corpus Christi Procession (2-6-1894); Sunday School Festival (25-8-1894); Stroud Society Club Day (15-6-1895); Sunday School Treat (23-5-1896); Friendly Societies Procession (25-7-1896); Sunday School Treat (21-8-1897); Sunday School Treat (5-8-1899); Benefit Nursing Association (16-9-1899); Stroud Society Club Day (16/06/1900); Baptist Sunday School Treat (14/07/1900); To Meet Returning Reservists (24/11/1900); Stroud Society Club Day (08/06/1901); Sunday School Treat (10/08/1901); Sunday School Treat (23/08/1902).
The Campden Town Band continued in existence, but not quite continuously, until the 1950's. In 1930's it was called the Campden Town Prize Silver Band.
Campden Town Prize Silver Band (Chipping Campden): See: Campden Town Band
Campsie Band (Australia): Active in 1909
Canal Ironworks Band (Shipley): Active in the 1920s
Canal Ironworks Silver Band: Active in the 1920s
Cannock Chase Colliery Band: See: Chasetown Brass Band
Cannock Chase Colliery Silver Prize Band: See: Chasetown Brass Band
Canon's Marsh Gas Works Band (Bristol): Active in April 1864, when they gave a concert in the Broadmead Rooms
Canterbury City Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Canterbury Silver Band: Disbanded in WW2
Capel Band (Surrey)
Cardiff City Tramways Band: Active in 1926
Cardiff Corporation Tramways Band: Active in 1911
Cardiff Corporation Transport Band: Active in 1935 and 1948
Cardiff Transport Band: See: Cardiff Corporation Transport Band
Cardynham Brass Band (Caradon/Cornwall): This was a very "on/off" outfit that first appeared c1895, disbanded about 1898, reformed in 1909, disbanded again in 1928, reformed in 1930 but finally finished in 1933. A few contests were entered in 1914 under S Carne. It probably did not help matters when Bodmin Band, whist attempting to form their band in 1927, invited the players of Cardynham to join them.
Carfury Brass Band (Penwith/Cornwall): This band was certainly functioning from 1911 to 1914, but more than that is not known at present.
Cargo Fleet Ironworks Band (Middlesbrough): Formed in the early 1900s and still active in the late 1940s
Cargo Fleet Steelworks Band (Middlesbrough): Active in 1960/70s
Carlisle City Prize Band: Original band formed in the 1850s but disbanded and reformed several times over the next century.
Carlton Temperance Band: Active in the 1930s
Carluke Brass Band: The constitution and rules of the band, from 1911, are held in Glasgow City Archives. Active in 1933
Carluke Silver Band: See: Carluke Brass Band
Carnforth Brass Band (Lancs): Active in 1904 and 1920
Carrick Amateurs Band: Founded in 1971 and amalgamated in 1985 with Whitehouse Silver Band to form C.W.S. (Carrick Whitehouse Silver) Band
Carrick Instrumental Band: See: Maybole Burgh Band
Carrick Whitehouse Silver Band: Was subsumed into the Agnes Street Band in 1994 to form C.W.A. Brass
Carrickfergus Boys' Brigade Band, 3rd: See: 3rd Carrickfergus Boys' Brigade Band
Carr Works Vale of Eden Band (Carlisle): See: Carr's Biscuits Works Band
Carr's Biscuits Works Band (Caldewgate, Carlisle): Active in the 1940s/50s
Carron Works Band (Falkirk): Gained four Second Section placings in the Scottish Championships of 1896, 97, 99 and 1900. The band was associated with the local Carron Iron Works
Carrow Works Band (Norwich): Active at least between 1870 and 1913. Sponsored by Colman's the mustard makers. The firm's owner, J.J. Colman, was a champion of new technology and installed the first private telephone line between his works in Norwich and the London office in Canon Street. In February 1878 Charles Noble, principal cornet with the band, played Gilbert and Sullivan's Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes down the telephone line to London, where a live audience gathered around the receiver. He was almost certainly the first bandsman to make a live broadcast. In this picture of the Carrow Works Band, from 1893, Charles Noble is seated on the far right, on the ground, with Mr John Womersley, president of the band, in the centre (not in uniform). In 1873 they took second prize at the brass band section of the National Music Meeting at the Crystal Palace.
Carthorpe Excelsior Brass Band (near Ripon): Formed in 1868
Casterton Brass Band (Australia): In 1888 it combined with the Sandford Brass Band to become the Glenelg Brass Band.
Castle Eden Colliery Band (County Durham): Formed in 1890 and still active in the 1950s. Probably folded soon after the colliery closed in 1959. A newpaper report from 1886 also has reference to the band.
Castle Howard Farm School Band
Castle Howard Reformatory School Band: GW (Paddy) Berfert, formerly of the 10th Royal Hussars, was bandmaster before 1904. The boys were "always immaculately dressed in military style uniforms, their instruments polished to perfection".
Castleford New Subscription Prize Band (Yorkshire)
Castleford Primitive Methodist Brass Band (Yorkshire)
Castleford Subscription Prize Band (Yorkshire): Active in 1913
Castleside Band (County Durham): Formed in 1906, and still active in 1920.
Castleside Brass Band (Blackhill, Co. Durham): Active in 1901
Castletown Band (Isle of Man): Formed around 1865 and no longer in existence. A breakaway group from the band formed the current Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band in 1893.
Castletown Colliery Band (Sunderland): See: Hylton Colliery Band
Castletown Rechabite Band (Isle of Man): Took part in the celebrations for Queen Victoria's coronation in 1838, "At 11 o'clock, the members of the Independent Order of Rechabites (who celebrated their anniversary on this occasion),with the children of the various Sunday-schools of the town and neighbourhood to the number of about 1,000, assembled at the green, and walked in procession, accompanied by the Rechabite Band, to St. Mary's Church.The Rechabites retired to the Tent, at the Schoolhouse, where a plentiful supply of tea, buns, and beef, was provided; after partaking of it, the band and a few of the members again walked through some of the streets." Rechabite bands were formed in the Isle of Man very soon after the introduction of the Order of Rechabite, and no small part of the minute-books of the Order is taken up with purchases of instruments and arrangements for training adult and juvenile musicians. A Manx band took part in a great demonstration in Liverpool in1839.
Caterham Silver Band (Surrey)
Catherine Hill Bay Brass Band (Australia): Active in 1903
Catrine Bleaching Works Brass Band (Ayrshire): Mr John Carson was Bandmaster in 1903
Catrine Brass Band (Ayrshire): Robert Moore was the Bandmaster in 1903
Catsfield Brass Band (Sussex): Active in 1933
Catshill Silver Band (Worcestershire): 1951 - Bromsgrove - Catshill Silver Band delighted large audiences during concerts on the village recreation ground and at Rubery. It was the first time the bandsmen had worn their new uniforms of navy blue, piped with red, and military style caps. 1953 - Catshill Silver Band were seeking a bandmaster in the Bromsgrove Messenger's advertisement columns.
Catteral Amateur Brass Band (Preston): Active in 1839
Caversham Band
Cawthorne Brass Band: Formed on 5th November 1873, later called Cawthorne Subscription Band. The Band then had a Band Room in the upper storey of the coach house at the Spencer Arms.It was was well established by 1920 when it featured prominently in "Cawthorne Hospital Sunday" , a musical festival in aid of Barnsley Beckett Hospital.The conductor at this time was W. Rusby. By the late 1940's after briefly disbanding during the war years, the Band was well established. It's conductor then was Ken Wood, who conducted the Band for many years and composed and arranged a great deal of music for the Band. Throughout the 1950's the Band was to be seen regularly at village events and by 1959 it was able to acquire its first set of uniforms. It was a set of uniforms obtained second hand from Dodworth Band. It disbanded in 1961. (a new band was formed in 1976)
Cawthorne Subscription Band: See: Cawthorne Brass Band
Celynen Band: Formed in 1888. A successor band, the Celynen Collieries Band, was formed in 1952
Central Hall Mission Band (Manchester): Belonging to the Methodists Central Hall in the city.
Central Hall Prize Band (Manchester): Active in 1910 and 1911 when it played in various parks in Salford.
Central Manchester Band (Manchester): The band was formed with the instruments from the former Stevenson Box Works Band. They rehearsed in the Grove Hotel on Every Street, Ancoats, Manchester, then moved to the the New Inn on Cambrian Street off Bradford Road, Manchester in approximately 1963. In 1969 they moved into the Central Fire Station on London Road, Manchester, then moved into the Railway Mens Club on Store Street (beneath Piccadilly Railway Station), where they performed regular monthly concerts up until 1994/5. They finally disbanded around 1996/7. Records show they were prize winners in the Junior Cup at the Belle Vue Spring Festival in 1952. Competed in the Junior Shield in 1962, conducted by W. Allen.
Central Manchester Silver Band: See: Central Manchester Band
Ceramia Goldthorpe Colliery Band: See: Yorkshire Main Colliery Band
Certified Industrial School Band (Manchester): Active in 1910 and 1911 when it played in various parks in Salford. The Manchester Certified Industrial School, Ardwick Green, was founded (certified) in 1857 and closed in 1922.
Chadkirk Temperance Band (Marple)
Chadwick Memorial School Band (Newcastle): Probably formed in the 1880s at this Roman Catholic school for boy offenders. The school closed in 1906.
Chailey Industrial Band (Sussex): Played at Sheffield Park, July 30th 1900
Chain Bar Methodist Band (Manchester): Amalgamated with the Moston and Beswick Band in the early 1980s.
Chalgrove Band: See Chalgrove Temperance Band
Chalgrove Temperance Band: Formed in the late 1800s, later known as Chalgrove Band. Folded in 1956. A successor band was formed in 1972.
Chalton Band (Hampshire): Active in 1911
Chalvey Brass Band
Chalvey Methodist Band (Slough)
Chandlers Ford Brass and Reed Band: Active in 1913
Chandlers Ford British Legion Band: Active in 1925
Change Band
Chapel End Band.: Competed in a brass band contest at Bedworth in 1888
Chapwell Colliery Band
Chard Town Band: Competed in the 1962 West of England Regional Championships (4th Section), conducted by C.E. Turner.
Charlbury Town Band (Oxfordshire): Played at Cornbury Park on 7 August 1897
Charlton and Guisborough Band: See: Charlton Star of Hope Band
Charlton Star of Hope Band (Guisborough): Active in 1900 and 1907
Charnwood Brass: Formerley Loughborough Band? Merged with Leicestershire Co-operative (SMW) Band in 1999
Chasetown Brass Band (Staffordshire): Formed prior to 1868, probably that of the colliery company. In the late 1870s it played at the athletic sports meeting and led processions. By 1885 it was known as the Cannock Chase Colliery Band. By 1893 it was performing at the Lichfield Greenhill Bower. Having won second prize in a competition in 1919, it became known as the Cannock Chase Colliery Silver Prize Band and competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s.
Chasetown Temperance Band (Staffordshire): Formed in 1897, and in the summer of 1899 it gave sacred concerts on Sundays on the dam of Norton Pool.
Chatham Borough Band: Active in 1938
Chaucer Street Mission Band: See: Ebor Excelsior Silver Prize Band
Chedgrave and Loddon Brass Band: Active in 1930
Cheetham Hill Prize Band
Cheetham Hill Public Subscription Band (Manchester): Active in the 1960s and dates back to at least 1927, won the Second Section of the Daily Herald National Championships in 1966. Won the First Annual Brass Band Contest organised by Wigan Borough Prize Band in 1943 (conducted by J. Jennings).
Chelmsford Brotherhood Silver Band: Active in 1938
Cherry Hinton Band (Cambridge): Formed in 1880. It initially borrowed its instruments from the Fulbourn Hospital band, performing at harvest festivals and meetings of the Garden Society c. 1880-94. From 1902 the band practised in the parish room, newly opened for social activities. Although the band flourished in the early 20th century, winning prizes, it folded in the late 20th century.
Cherry Orton Brass Band: Active in the early 1900s. One bandmaster was Boss Pauley, owner of a wheelwright and undertaking business, who taught a number of local youths to play various instruments. This band was kitted out in a heavy uniform with silver braiding, and was much in demand throughout the district for various functions. Practice would take place in the wheelwright's shop on winter nights just lit by one or two oil lamps, and warmed by the dying embers of the forge. When the bandsmen complained that it was too cold for their fingers to feel the stops of their instruments, Boss Pauley would say, 'Alright Abide With Me and then bugger off'. The bandsman who beat the large drum was a larger short rotund figure who had difficulty seeing over his drum. He was once seen marching down Bridge Street alone, unaware that the rest of the band had turned down Albert Place. I folded some time in the 1930s
Chertsey Town Band (Surrey): Formed in 1892. Active in 1913 - with A.J. Allen secretary, of London Street. Later became Chertsey Town Silver Prize Band, then merged with Addlestone Temperance Band. See: Woking Brass Band
Chertsey Town Silver Prize Band (Surrey): See Woking Brass Band
Chesham Brass Band: See: Chesham Town Silver Prize Band
Chesham Town Silver Prize Band: First formed in the 1880s as the Chesham Brass Band, and was obviously much in demand in those early days. The band had, by 1907, become a Silver band. The next 20 years were surely the band's heyday; they were much in demand for shows, fetes, open air dances, and indeed, almost any gathering in the town and district. They entered competitions in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Reading, where cups and medals for excellence were won, hence the word 'prize' being added to their title. (More information can be found in a chapter of Tales of Old Chesham by George Piggin, ISBN 0 948929 70 7). Records of the band from 1912-35 are held by the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies, Aylesbury.
Memories of Herbert Wingrove who has lived in Chesham for over 80 years - he remembers the band playing at major events in the town, in Lowndes Park and in the Broadway on Saturday afternoons when the Salvation Army were not playing there. The players were all male and had a smart uniform with peaked caps. They led the crowd at every football match and were a vital part of Chesham. Sydney Mcdonald was the conductor and a Mr Reading played the Last Post on the cornet at the Remembrance Day services. Herbert said he contributed to collections towards the upkeep of the band. They must have had 20 or 30 beautiful silver instruments of which none remain.
Roderick John Macdonnell born 1876 died 1967, was bandmaster and/or conductor. He originally played and taught the cornet. He worked in a cycle factory and then the boot and shoe industry until he was 73, then he worked at Sundt plastics until his death. He studied music and played the cornet in various brass and silver bands. He taught music as an extra income, and his pupils included Harry Mortimer. He had to stop playing when he had dentures, instead became a conductor and bandmaster. Played in and conducted the Chesham Town Silver Prize Band from 1914 until his death.
Cheshire Home Guard Band, 38th Battalion: See: 38th Battalion Cheshire Home Guard Band
Cheshire Lines Railway Band: Active in the 1920s/30s
Cheslyn Hay Victoria Prize Band (South Staffordshire): Joseph Kingston, a well-known figure in the area as bandmaster of the Cheslyn Hay Victoria Prize Band, started work at Wyrley Colliery when he was ten years old in 1866. Joseph retired in 1919 after working fifty-three years and he died in 1936. Reference from 1903 - "The Victoria Brass Band will play selections of music at the workhouse this Saturday afternoon. The inmates are sure to have a treat."
Chester Bluecoat Band: Active in the 1970s
Chester Bluecoat Hospital Band: Active in the 1940s
Chester General Station Band: Active in the early 1900s and also the 1920s through to at least 1928
Chester-le-Street Temperance Band: Formed in 1875, still active in 1920
Chester-le-Street Town Band: Active in 1899 and 1905
Chesterfield and District Brass Band: See: Chesterfield Brass Band
Chesterfield Brass Band: Formed in the 1860s. In 1879, when it was reported that it was "celebrated for the numerous prizes it has earned in all the great contests" Later known as Chesterfield and District Brass Band, Pearsons Pottery Chesterfield Band. Merged with Ireland Colliery Band in the late 1980s to form Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Band.
Chesterfield Town and Old Comrades Band: Active in 1926
Chethams Hospital Boys Band (Manchester)
Chevington Model Band (near Alnwick): Linked to Chevington Colliery, and active between 1914 and 1933
Chiddingly Brass Band (Sussex): Formed in the 1890s, probably. Jim Coleman was the bandmaster in the 1930s
Chilcompton Brass Band: Active in the 1920s
Childs Hill Band (London): "1914 - The Elstree Scouts put on a 15 minute display of bridge building, and the Child's Hill Prize Silver Band played throughout the day, and during a dance that started at 7.15pm and carried on until 10pm, when the day was wound up with a rendition of God Save the King."
The Childs Hill (Silver) Prize Band was engaged to play in Roundwood Park for £100 for the season. This was repeated in 1931, but the Council were concerned that in the depression as many unemployed musicians should be employed as possible, and the engagement went to Harlesden & District British Legion Military Band in 1933.
Childs Hill (Silver) Prize Band: See: Childs Hill Band
Chilsworthy Brass Band (North Cornwall): An article in the Cornish Times of 1863 reads "CHILSWORTH BRASS BAND. The members of the Chilsworthy and Latchley "Brass Band" respectfully beg to inform the public generally, that they are now open to treat with all parties for further engagements, and having selected suitable music for all occasions, arranged by some of the best men of the day, (the same, being under the management of J.C.PURTOX, Esq, Plymouth), they hope as hitherto to give satisfaction to their emplyers. Applications to be made to MR W STENLAKE, Chilsworthy, Gunnislake, Calstock." A photograph of the 1907 band shows a well balanced band of 15 players. A non contesting band, the village of Chilsworthy can be found 2/3 miles west of Tavistock, near the Cornwall/Devon border. This is not to be confused with the Devon village of Chilsworthy.
Chilton and Windlestone Band: Active in 1934
Chilton Band: See: Chilton Colliery Band
Chilton Colliery Band (Sedgefield): Active in 1906 and 1925
Chinley and Buxworth Band: Active in 1937
Chippenham Town Silver Band: Founded in 1891 and disbanded in 1953
Chislet Colliery Welfare Band (Kent): Active in 1950
Chiswick Town Band (Middlesex): Active in 1914 - John Thomas Sampson was then the secretary.
Chobham Band (Surrey): Active in 1966. Pictures of the band are held in the Surrey Heath Museum.
Cholderton Prize Band (Wiltshire): Active in 1910
Choppington Brass Band (Northumberland): Active in 1887
Choppington Colliery Band (Northumberland): Formed in the early 1900s and active in 1913, also probably still active in the 1950s
Chopwell Colliery Band: Formed in the late 1890s. Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Still active in the 1950s
Chorley Silver Band: Formed in the 1890s? Folded in 2000. The name and property were subsequently taken over by the then Chorley Youth Band which had been founded in 1996
Chorlton Brass Band (Manchester): Active in 1893
Chorlton cum Hardy Silver Prize Band: Active in the early 1900s
Christ Church Band (Leytonstone)
Christchurch Band (Bradford)
Chulmleigh Town Band (Devon): Active in 1893 and 1899 when William Parsons was bandmaster
Church of England Brass Band (Preston): Active in the 1840s
Churchdown Brass Band (Gloucestershire): Members had new uniforms in 1894
Churwell Band (Yorkshire)
Cinderford Ark Mission Band
Cinderford Excelsior Band: Formed in the 1920s with the instruments of the old Ark Mission Band. The band broke up prior to World War 2. Another source has the band founded before 1897, and meeting at the Methodist chapel in Church Road, folding in the mid 20th century.
Cinderford Wireworks Band
Citizens (Peyone) Brass Band (New Zealand): Active in 1908
City of Coventry Band: Formed in 1939. Achieved some success under Albert Chappell, amongst others, as well as a fine recording under their new name of Jaguar Cars (City of Coventry), under Ray Farr. The band folded when Jaguar discontinued their sponsorship.
City of Edinburgh Band: Known as Grassmarket Band until 1928. Still active in 1964
City of Leicester Band (Leicester): formerly Everards Brewery Band and Bond Street Working Mens Club Band, Bond Street Imperial Silver Band, Leicester Club and Institute Band (1933). Competed in the Junior Cup in 1962, conducted by R. Jackson. It ran into difficulties around 1994 and decided to amalgamate with Barlestone Band in 1995, unfortunately after much effort by many of the players this didn't work and the combined band decided to call it a day at the end of 1996.
City of Leicester W.M.C. Silver Prize Band: See: City of Leicester Band
City of Leicester SP Constabulary Band
City of Manchester Band: See: C.W.S. (Manchester) Band
City of Rochester Band: Active in 1957
City of Rochester Brass: See: Strood Gospel Mission Silver Band
City of Stoke-on-Trent Special Constabulary Band
City of Truro Band: Formed in 1853 as Truro Saxhorn Band.Won third prize at the Crystal Palace in the the Junior B section in 1924 - the first cornish band to win a prize there. Notable conductors of the band were Mr Tom Hubbard, Mr G.W. Cave in the 30s and Mr A.W. Parker. Folded some time before 1970. A successor band was formed in 1975
City of Wakefield Band: Active in 1954
Clacton Brass Band (Essex): Active in 1911 and through the 1930s, it probably folded before the current Clacton Band was formed in 1948.
Clanfield Brass Band (Oxfordshire): The Parrott family made up a good proportion of the band at one time
Clapham Excelsior Band
Clare Brass Band (Suffolk): Active in 1862
Clarks Nichols & Combes Works Band: See: Clarnico Works Band
Clarnico Works Band (Leytonstone): Active in the early 20th century. Clarnico is an amalgamation of Clarks Nichols & Combes who used to have a sweet factory at Leytonstone in Essex. It was later taken over by Trebor Bassett.
Clay Cross Band: Active in 1866/7
Claygate Brass Band (Thames Ditton): Active in the early 1900s
Clayton Aniline Works Band (Manchester): Formed in December 1943, disbanded in 1956. They shared the bill with a young Julie Andrews in a charity concert at Belle Vue, Manchester on October 5th 1955.
Clayton Silver Band: Active in the 1910s, being conducted by Joe Dyson at one time.
Clayton Silver Prize Band: Active in 1907
Clayton Subscription Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Clayton Steam Sheds Band: Active in 1936
Clayton West and Emley Band: See: Clayton West Band
Clayton West Band (Yorkshire): Active from the1950s to the 1980s. Later known as Clayton West and Emley Band
Clayton-le-Moors Band: Active in 1882/1890. On the 4th September 1882 the 30th Annual Brass Band Contest took place at the Belle Vue Gardens in Manchester. Of the 30 bands entered there was only 18 that put in an appearance one of which was the Clayton le Moors Rifle Volunteers Brass Band ~ this was their Greatest Achievement. The music required to play was a selection from "Il Seraglio" by Mozart which was arranged expressly for the occasion by Mr Charles Godfrey, the bandmaster of the Royal Horse Guards and the scores of which were supplied to the contesting bands, six weeks ago. The proceedings lasted over six hours. Several bands exhibited great ability, but on the whole, there was a falling off in the excellancy of the playing. The first prize of £30 went to Clayton le moors Rifle Volunteers, surprising really when you hear the story ~ not only that they all received a gold medal each value of £3 but was presented an electro-plated "Echo" cornet of the value of £22. Ned Holditch was the principle cornet player and conductor of the Band. He couched the band for the Belle Vue contest and as was usual in those days they engaged Mr Alex Owen of Bessie of the Barn conductor. When they got to Belle Vue, Ned warned all the bandsmen to keep away from the marquees containing the bars and then they could easily win the contest. Apparently Ned's advice didn't apply to himself because when he went onto the platform to play the contest piece, Mr Owen accused Ned of being drunk of which he didn't deny the statement but told the conductor just before they started that the band would win and he would also collect the solo cornet prize. His predictions proved correct and Ned won a Silver Cornet trophy for first prize. When the band arrived back at Rishton they wanted to show off their "winnings" and sent round to Ned's for the prize he had won. He replied by sending back the pawn brokers ticket ~ for he had "hocked" in prize at "Uncles" and used the proceeds to get drunk. [Edward "Ned" Holditch was born Edwin Henry Holdship in Portsmouth, 1847]. Band was still active in 1925.
Clayton-le-Moors Rifle Volunteers Band: See: Clayton-le-Moors Band
Cleckheaton Band: Commenced contesting in 1878 and over the next 10 years attended over 40 contests amassing prizes totalling some £400
Cleckheaton Temperance Brass Band: Minutes of the band, from 1886-99, are held by West Yorkshire Archive Service, Kirklees. The band was formed as the Nook Chapel Band in Cleckheaton, becoming the Cleckheaton Temperance Brass Band when it broke away from the Chapel.
Cleckheaton Victoria Silver Prize Band: Won the first South Yorkshire Brass Band Contest, in Doncaster, on 29 August 1859 playing a medley from Verdi's "La Traviata". and took part in the second South Yorkshire Brass Band Contest, at Nether Hall Park, Doncaster, on 25th June 1860. Active in 1903 to 1911. Achieved sixth place at the National Championships at the Crystal Palace in 1903 under the baton of Angus Holden.
Cleland Band
Clevedon Silver Band (Somerset): Formed in the 1870s as the 5th Gloucestershire Royal Artillery Band. It entered a contest in Windsor Park in 1881 and played to commemorate the jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. Renamed Clevedon Silver Band in 1905, under the baton of Mr Fred Ware, it competed at the Crystal Palace in the 1930s. From the Clevedon Mercury c.1925, "The Clevedon Band, under the baton of Mr F Mogg, played a varied and well-chosen programme. Although small in number they are effective and have a sound idea of the qualities requisite to render brass music pleasingly. They were heard to the best advantage in what were the most difficult items in their repertoire. The soloists played with true regard to phrasing, and gave a fine interpretation of the various songs. Mr Mogg, the conductor, was excellent in his rendering of 'Alas! Those chimes' on the cornet. The obligato passages were played with unusual restraint and feeling, the ensemble being perfect. The balance was perfectly maintained and the expression fully sustained but not unduly stressed. Mr Mogg has the band well under control, getting an instant response to his baton and he is to be congratulated on his work". The band folded at the start of WW2.
Cleveland Steelworks Band: Formed in 1888 and active through to the 1920s
Cliff's Band (Wortley)
Clifton Certified Industrial School Band (Cliftonwood, Bristol): Active in the 1880s. The school was established in 1849. The object of the school was "to save lads from the streets when driven to them by the loss or misconduct of their parents, to give them a handicraft and to train them in honest principles". The brass band was under instructor Henry Miles, and 2 members of it had enlisted for the Band of the Scots Fusiliers and 1 for the Rifles Band. The Annual Report in April 1884 gave details of the activities of the school and a summary of the last 3 years. The average number of boys was 210 and during 1883 47 had been admitted. 10 were of the 1st class, 15 of the 2nd, 1 of the 3rd, 9 of the 4th and 3 transferred from other schools. Only 3 could read and write above the 2nd standard. Altogether over the 3 previous years 143 boys had been discharged. Situations had been found for 78 of these. 70 of them were doing well, 2 had been convicted, 1 was doubtful, 4 could not be trusted and 1 had died. 17 had been returned to friends. Of these 13 were doing well, 2 had been convicted and 2 could not be traced. 14 had gone to sea. Of these 12 were doing well. 1 had been convicted and 1 had died. 28 had emigrated. This was to Canada and situations were found for them by an agent. Of these 27 were doing well, 1 was doubtful. 5 had been discharged on account of disease. Of these 4 were doing well, 1 unknown. 1 had enlisted and was doing well.
Clifton Colliery Prize Band: Active around 1900 and also in the 1920s when it played at the Lenton (Nottingham) Flower Shows
Clipstone Colliery Band (Nottinghamshire): Sponsored by Torque Tension Ltd in the late 1970s
Clitheroe Brass Band: Active in 1889 and 1932
Cliviger Band
Clock Face and Sutton Manor Collieries Band: See: Clock Face Colliery Band
Clock Face Colliery Band (St Helens): Active in the 1930s. Also known as Clock Face and Sutton Manor Collieries Band. Still active in 1964. Folded later in the 1960s, thought to have been a Championship band at some point
Cloughfold Band: Active in 1872
Clowne Silver Prize Band (Derbyshire): Active in 1905
Clutton Brass Band (Somerset): Active in 1926, when some of its members were engaged to help out the Downend Reed & Brass Band on Whit Monday. They were happy to be given ten shillings and six pence, plus meals and board, for a rehearsal and one engagement.
Clydach Band: Active in 1910 and 1948
Clyde Workers Band (Glasgow): Active in 1928, conducted by W.H.P. McGowan
Clydebank R.C. Band: Active in 1928, 1933
Coalbrookdale Brass Band: From the Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News, 9th September 1905: - "Broseley Wood Potato Show - The second annual potato show was held on Saturday on Mr. M. Davies's premises, and was largely attended. The potatoes were of splendid quality. The room was tastefully decorated, and outside the premises hung a beautiful festoon containing a suitable motto. ......... During the afternoon the Coalbrookdale Band discoursed an excellent selection of music, under the direction of Mr. G. Beardshaw"
From the Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News, 25th September 1909: "On Saturday the members of this band, presenting a neat and smart appearance in their new uniform, paid a visit to Broseley, and played a Choice selection of music in High Street. A collection was taken in aid of the funds." Still active in the 1930s.
Coalville Coronation BandSee: William Davis Construction Group Band
Coalville Ebenezer BandSee: William Davis Construction Group Band
Coatbridge Town Band (Scotland): Active in 1888, conducted by W.H. Cole, players mainly consisted of miners and ironworkers. Active in 1964, conducted by H. Thom.
Cobden Chadwick Band (Oldham): Formerly known as the Zion Methodists Band from Lees, it amalgamated with the Lees and Glodwick Band to form Oldham Brass 97, in 1997
Cockermouth Borough Band
Cockfield Band: See: Cockfield Prize Silver Band
Cockfield Prize Silver Band (County Durham): Formed in the 1890s. Remained active through to the 1930s
Codnor Old Prize Band: Founded in July 1860, it was for many years the only source of entertainment (apart from the annual wakes) in Codnor, and right royally they enlivened the village with their stirring music. The various chapels could always rely on the band on aniversary days to lead processions in the village and elsewhere. They also had a high reputation when they competed in numerous contests and won many prizes. It was at the height of its fame around 1905. Weekly practices were held at the Miner's Arms, the band-master and conductor being Mr William Eyre for a number of years. The band ultimately merged with the Butterfly Colliery Ambulance Band.
Codnor United Band: Took part in the 44th Annual Temperance procession on Whit Monday in 1915. Starting from Somercotes, a sea of banners, flags and gaily decorated floats proceeded through Leabrooks and Riddings, gathering strength as it marched, and parading the village of Ironville before winding its way up to the Jessop Monument in Codnor Park.
Coedely Colliery Band: Competed in the 1964 West of England Regional Championships (Champ. Section), conducted by W.J. Priday. Also known as Coedely (Rockwool) Band. Won the Second Section at the Eighth Mineworkers' National Brass Band Contest, at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, in 1969.
Coedely (Rockwool) Band: See: Coedely Colliery Band
Coedpoeth Public Band: Active in the 1940s
Coedpoeth Silver Band: Formed by Joseph Wilcoxon (b. 1855), probably in the late 1890s. Active in 1910. Correspondence and papers pertaining to the band (1948) are held by Denbighshire County Council.
Cohens (600) Brass Band: Active in 1950
Colchester Excelsior Band: Active in 1905, when the bandmaster was W. Fisher
Cold Ash Brass Band (Berkshire): Folded in the 1930s. A successor band was formed in the village in 2003
Coldstream Silver Band: Active in 1906
Coleford Brass Band (Gloucestershire): Active in 1864
Coleford Town Band (Gloucestershire): Formed 1945, amalgamated with Yorkley Onward Band in 1994 to form Forest of Dean Brass.
Colinton Brass Band (Scotland): Active in the early 1900s
Collinson's Brass Band (Preston): Active in the 1840 and 1850s
Colne Borough Brass Band: Active in 1932
Coltness Brass Band: See: Coltness Iron Works Silver Band
Coltness Iron Works Silver Band: Formed in 1898/9 and became First Section Scottish Champions in 1907, 1941-3, 1945 and 1949. Following a difficult period after the ravages of the 1914-18 War, the band regained its former level and glory during the 1930s and 1940s. Web Link (mention in 1901 Masonic records): Report from the Motherwell Times, Friday 14th. June 1901: "The New Masonic Halls - Laying the Memorial Stone. The procession which was marshalled at the Town Hall by Brother W. McKean, Provincial Grand Marshal, and which was the largest Masonic gathering ever seen in Motherwell, marched by the way of Clyde Street, Merry Street, Dalziel Street, Coursington Street, Park Street, Crosshill Street, Brandon Street and Muir Street to the Halls in Hope Street. The procession which was accompanied by Coltness Iron Works Band was witnessed by large crowds all along the route. When the front of the procession arrived at the building the ranks opened up to allow the Provincial Grand Officials to pass through, and to take up their position near the stone. ................Three cheers were then given, and the choir gave a spirited rendering of the "Hallelujah Chorus", after which corn was sprinkled on the stone, and the oil and wine was poured over it. The Coltness band then struck up the "Mason's Anthem" and other three cheers were given...................The ceremony concluded with the playing of the " Mason's Anthem", by the band, after which the Provincial Grand Officers returned to the platform, where they were greeted with three cheers by the brethren. Everyone joined in the rendering of " Rule Britannia", at the close of which the assemblage was photographed for the " Hamilton Herald " Supplement, by Mr. T. Johnston, photographer, Camp Street. Thereafter the company was again arranged in processional order, and proceeded by way of Muir Street, Milton Street, Calder Street, and Merry Street to the Town Hall, where the Lodge was closed in due form. The bands which accompanied the procession were the Coltness Silver Band, and the Motherwell Town Silver Band both of which more than maintained their reputation for first class music.
Report from Livingstone, 17th September 1904: - The next item of importance was the laying of the Memorial Stone of the Public Library in Clyde Street. On this occasion there was a joint Lodge of St. John DaIzell, No. 406, and Lodge Livingstone St. Andrew, No. 573, with Brother Alexander Findlay, M.P., M.M. Lodge Irvine St. Andrews, No. 149, acting as Right Worshipful Master. The Office-bearers were selected from the R.W.M.s., P.M.s, Wardens and Brethren of both Lodges. The Brethren met in the Lodge-room, then paraded the principal streets (headed by the Motherwell Silver Band and Coltness Silver Band)
In September, 1937, the 1st Bonkle Scout Troop celebrated its 25th anniversary. On Sunday a special "All Scout" service was held in the Scout Hut grounds. Neighbouring companies of Scouts and Guides paraded with the Bonkle companies. The address was given by the Rev. George Fraser, MA, Stoneyburn, a former minister of the church who was the first Scoutmaster of the troop. The praise was led by the Coltness Silver Band.
Coltness Silver Band: See: Coltness Iron Works Silver Band
Colwall Brass Band(Worcestershire): Active between 1905-1953
Colwyn Town Band: Active in 1951 when they competed in the 4th section North West regional championships at the Victoria Hall, Bolton.
Colyton Excelsior Silver Band (Devon)
Combs Brass Band (Suffolk): Active in 1933. The Bandmaster in 1953 was Maurice Laflin
Compstall Brass Band: Founded in 1850. Still active in the 1920s and disbanded sometime in the 1950s. Its last conductor was J Dearden. A band pavilion was erected by George Andrew for the use of the band in the grounds of the Athenaeum in Compstall in 1859. This bandstand was demolished during WW2 (see www.satiche.org.uk/bandstands/bs0169.jpg).
Compstall Bridge Band: Active in the 1860s
Compstall Mills Band: Active in 1873
Comrades of the Great War Prize Band: Active in 1926
Comrades United Band (Leeds)
Congden's Shop Amateur Brass Band (North Cornwall): Only one reference to this band has been found - when they appeared at a Temperence Festival in 1886. One does wonder if they were formed for this one event. The village called "Congden's Shop" can be found a few miles south west of Launceston.
Congleton Band
Congleton Town Prize Brass Band
Conisborough Band: Took part in the first South Yorkshire Brass Band Contest, at Doncaster, on 29th August 1859, conducted by Mr Thickett
Connahs Quay Silver Prize Band (Chester): Active in 1911 and 1948. Amalgamated with the John Summers & Sons Steelworks Band in 1972 to form the new Deeside Silver Band. The 1 July 1911 edition of the Chester Chronicle reported: "The participants assembled near Mollington Post Office at 12.30 precisely. The Rev. J.M. New formed them into a procession and they marched to the spot (on Townfield Lane) where the tree was to be planted. In advance came the Connah's Quay Silver Prize Band, and after the band walked Mrs and Miss Olive Frost (of Mollington Hall) followed by Parish Councillors wearing rosettes of white ribbon. Next came the festivities committees wearing their badges, then the children of the parishes carrying Union Jacks, and at the rear the residents."
Connells Sounding Brass (Ipswich): Founded in 1982, then amalgamated with the Orwell Band in 1983, retaining its name. It amalgamated again, in 1985, with Ipswich Town Band, one more keeping the Connells Sounding Brass name. This band ultimately became the current Ipswich & Norwich Co-op Band following sponsorship by the Co-op in 1992 and being renamed the Ipswich Co-op Band.
Cononley Prize Brass Band (Keighley): Formed in 1906, still active in 1951. See further details relating to a 1951 photograph, here
Consett Brass: See: Morrison and Busty Collieries Band
Consett Colliery Band: Active in 1931
Consett Iron Company Band: See: Consett Iron Works Band
Consett Iron Works Band: Active in 1884, when it arranged a band contest in June that year. Formerly known as Blackhill Teetotal Band.
Consett Mission Band: Active between 1906 and 1936
Consett Temperance Band: Active in 1933
Consett Town Band: Formed in 1936
Constantine Band: Formed in 1848, shortly after the 'Wheal Vyvyan Mine' was opened. The first mention of a band in Constantine was in the Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser dated 18th July 1857. Around 1887 the band had a change of name, being referred to as The Volunteer Band. The explanation of this name appears quite simple, after the episode with Russia in the Crimea and the trouble with India at the time of the mutiny, it was decided the army might serve overseas in increasing numbers and that the army at home should be bolstered by a reserve force, many of whom played in the band. By 1908, after the formation of the Territorial Army, the Volunteer Band once again became Constantine Band. It is believed that when the Great War broke out the band became involved with the Territorials and joined them. When the war ended they once again reverted back to Constantine Band, and they were back in business playing at local functions like Regattas and Traditional Tea Treats. They disbanded sometime later. A successor band was formed in 1977
Conwy Band: Forerunner of the band which was "reformed" in 1972. Unknown dates.
Conwy Town Band: Formed in 1972. Disbanded 2007
Co-operative Society Prize Band (Burslem & District) (Staffordshire): Formed in 1884 as a military band, transformed to all brass in 1920 and renamed Longton Town Band until change of name to Co-op in 1946
Cooper's Royal Brass Band (West Yorkshire): Active in 1913
Copford Band (Essex): Active in 1905 when the bandmaster was F. Neer, and probably was active in the 1890s also.
Copley and Skircoat Band (Halifax)
Copley Mills Brass Band (Halifax)
Copperfield Brass (Weston-Super-Mare): Named after the road (Copperfield Drive, Weston-Super-Mare) in which the first bandmaster (Dave Tilling) lived. The band was formed in 1979 by Dave Tilling, Eileen and John Ludlow, after being approached by some students from Bristol University. They grew to a full band by 1980 and then started contesting. The band folded in the early 1990s. It rehearsed in Worle in Weston-super-mare initially and then moved to Congresbury (Somerset). Some remnants of it now exist in a band called Congresbury Brass. While it existed the band was pretty sucessful in 4th and 3rd Section competitions. It was a member of the SWBBA.
Copperhouse Brass Band (Penwith/Cornwall): Copperhouse, close to Hayle, had a brass band for at least twenty years (1891-1911). They never attended any contests.
Coppull Subscription Band (near Wigan): Formed in 1888 and merged in 2005 with the Standish Band to form the Coppull and Standing Band. An anecdote from the memoirs of William Halliwell, as related by Alan Littlemore: Mr Halliwell had a special affection for the Coppull Subscription Band, and one of his favourite stories (which he included in his memoirs 'Sixty Years with Brass Bands') concerns a certain Frank Smallshaw, who was for some time euphonium player with Coppull. Mr Smallshaw who was a native of Crawford village, near Uppholland, interested himself in brass bands as a young man, and he played with various bands in the Wigan district. On going to live in Coppull his services were soon requisitioned by the local band, and in September, 1901, he won a gold medal for euphonium playing at a Darwen contest, beating the then famous Herbert Scott of the Besses o' th' Barn Band, and other equally well known. Now let me quote the personal account of this gold medal exploit of Mr Smallshaw from Mr Halliwell's memoirs.
"An incident with an interesting sequel stands out clearly and pleasantly in my memories of Coppull Subscription Band's contesting efforts in 1901. The band had been successful in several in several minor contests, and decided to enter a contest at Darwen. This entry was considered to be a too ambitious venture of them, because brass bands bordering on the top class frequently completed there. Mr Richard Stead, a famous euphonium player of the Meltham Mills Band, was appointed judge. The test piece was H Round's "Songs of England", and included the "Pilgrim of Love" song as a euphonium solo. This solo was normally rather outside the scope of the band's solo euphonium player Frank Smallshaw - but he was a trier. Smallshaw could do quite well in the dashing music of marches, quadrilles and waltzes, but a beautifully quiet sentimental song, requiring a smooth, flexible, quiet tone, with delicate articulation was rather beyond his normal capacity as a player. The bands success depended on him, and in order to improve the quality of his playing I adopted the unusual method of securing from Smallshaw a pledge that during private practice, or with the band, he would play the solo very, very quietly until I gave him leave to open out and play freely.
Smallshaw's quiet play mystified his fellow bandsmen, and he had to face up to some bitter criticism and gibes from them,' Mr Halliwell goes on to relate, 'but he loyally kept his pledge to me. When the ban was lifted Smallshaw was a new man as far as that solo was concerned. At the contest he played beautifully, and Mr Richard Stead referred to his performance in the following words: "Euphonium cadenza a very artistic performance. Andante moderato…soloist plays beautifully, and with excellent taste - not overdone and Mr Stead awarded Smallshaw the medal for the best euphonium solo."
"The sequel to this event", Mr Halliwell adds in telling the story, "was that Smallshaw brought the medal to me and said, 'Here Mr Halliwell, this is your medal, not mine.' Of course, I refused it and expressed a hope that we should win some more medals to keep it company. Smallshaw's reply was startling, 'There'll be no more - not for me - I'm stoppin' while I'm a good un.' And so Smallshaw went into honourable retirement from brass band contesting. Years later he visited the Belle Vue Championship Contest, and I had the opportunity of indulging a gentle "leg pull" by enquiring for the other medals."
Competed in the Junior Shield in 1962, conducted by R. Evans.
Corbetts Band: Active in 1899. A band formed and owned by Mr E.R. Corbett
Corby Beanfield School Band (Corby, Northamptonshire): In 1981 the band had reached the 2nd section after winning the 3rd section finals in 1979 - one of the few school bands to reach this level. The conductor at the time was Donald Manning who also conducted the Kettering Citadel Band. The school closed several years ago and along with this the band.
Corden Street Mission Silver Band (Derby)
Corfe Castle Band (Dorset): One of their instruments, an Ophicleide possibly, is on display in the Corfe Castle Museum.
Cornholme Brass Band (Todmorden): Active in 1888 and 1908
Cornsay Colliery Band: See: Cornsay Colliery Silver Band
Cornsay Colliery Silver Band (near Esh Winning, Durham): Active between 1878 and 1907, and may have had a resurgence after WW2. Folded around 1950 and some surviving members joined the newly formed Esh Winning Colliery Welfare Band.
Cornsay Institute Band: See: Cornsay Colliery Silver Band
Cornsay Orchestral Band: Active in 1891
Corris & District Band (North Wales): Active in 1948. Was still in existence in the 1980s
Corris Silver Band
Cortonwood Colliery Band (Barnsley): Active in the 1950/60s. Competed in the Senior Trophy, in 1962, conducted by M Thompson
Coseley Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Cossall Colliery Band (Nottingham): Active in 1889, when it performed at Ilkeston Flower Show. Active in 1894, when it rehearsed on Tuesdays at the Commercial Inn, with John Hunt, conductor; William Hardy, secretary (30 Norman Street, Cotmanhay)
Cossall Colliery Co.'s Brass Band: See: Cossall Colliery Band
Cotgrave Miners Welfare Band: Active in the 1980s
Coton in the Elms Brass Band (Derbyshire): Formed around 1910 with Harold Coates as bandmaster. Renamed Coton Silver Prize Band following successes at contests at Leicester and Belle Vue. Folded at the start of the Second World War.
Coton Silver Prize Band (Staffordshire): See: Coton in the Elms Brass Band
Cottingham Wesleyan Band: It boasted an extensive repertoire. One of the highlights of their year was leading the annual Sunday School outing that continued right up until 1939. The band reformed for a short time after World War II.
Coundon Band (Bishop Aukland)
Coundon Star Band: Active in 1887
Countesthorpe Village Band (Leicestershire): Active in 1895 and 1899, when Frederick Johnson was bandmaster
Coventry Colliery Band: Active in 1939
Coventry Silver Band: Active in 1912, when S.A. Dyche was conductor
Coventry Vauxhall W.M.C. Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Cowdenbeath Brass Band (Scotland): In existence in 1917. Earlier name: Cowdenbeath Public Band. Later Longannet Colliery Band (Cowdenbeath). Active in 1948. Merged with Kelty & Blairadam Band in 1999 to form Kingdom Brass.
Cowdenbeath Public Band: See: Cowdenbeath Brass Band
Cowling Temperance Prize Band (Yorkshire): Formed around 1897 and folded around 1954. Kenneth Smith was a member from 1945 to 1954,and his father and two grandfathers played in the band, and appear in a photograph of 1926. An article from the Craven Herald 1st July 1932. - "Mr. John Smith of no. 9 Middleton, Cowling, on Saturday attained his 84th birthday, which was celebrated by a gathering at his home by members of his family and friends. He also developed a liking for instrumental music, and became a well-known cornet player and brass band conductor. He was the solo cornet player in the first Cowling Brass Band, which had its headquarters in Winkholme. There are now only two surviving members of this band, Mr. John Smith and Mr. Edward Smith of Summerhouse Farm. The conductor of this band was Mr. Simm Redman, also a noted musician in his day. During his residence in Lothersdale, Mr. Smith formed a Brass Band, of which he was conductor, and on returning to Cowling also formed the present Cowling Temperance Brass Band, which he served as conductor for many years. From early youth Mr. Smith has possessed a remarkable facility for music writing. In the old days he often copied out parts for choirs when printed copies were too expensive to buy, and has done much work in the way of transposing music for brass bands. Some years ago he published a book of hymn-tunes, containing a collection of tunes which he had composed during his life, and this publication has been much in demand. Brass Bands in many parts of the country have played his hymn tunes, and he has had many letters of appreciation of his music, including some from abroad. The first of these tunes called "The Green" was composed on the village green at Cowling Hill when he was 20, and the last, appropriately named "Eventide", he wrote at the age of 80. He gave many of his tunes attractive titles derived from local place names, such as "Cowling", "Wood House", "Scar View", "West View", and "Gill Top".
Cowpen and Crofton Band (Blyth, Northumberland): Formed in the 1890s as Cowpen Colliery Band, but was supported by both collieries. It was actively contesting up to 1986 when it folded shortly after the closure of Bates Colliery which had supported the band.
Cowpen and Crofton Workmen's Band: See: Cowpen and Crofton Band
Cowpen Colliery Band (1): Active in 1867, when it played at the launch of a new lifeboat at Blyth in May that year.
Cowpen Colliery Band (2): See: Cowpen and Crofton Band
Cowshill Band: See: Upper Weardale Band
Coxhoe Silver Band (County Durham): Formed in the 1890s, and supported by the Coxhoe Colliery. Folded in the late 1930s.
Coxhoe Temperance Band: Active in 1876 when it competed in a contest at Hartlepool on 6th June
Coxlodge Colliery Band: See: Coxlodge Institute Band
Coxlodge Institute Band (Newcastle): Thought to have been formed in 1808, was an important feature in the social life of the area. It was particularly known for having provided the music for a ball held underground to mark the opening of Gosforth Colliery in 1823. On Christmas mornings in the early 1900s carols were played at various parts of the village, the last performance being at the Coxlodge Hotel where each bandsman received a 10s note and a free drink. The band folded in the 1950s.
Coxlodge & Hazelrig Colliery Band (Newcastle): Active in the early 1960s when it rehearsed in the "Victoria and Comet" pub directly opposite the Newcastle Upon Tyne Central Railway Station.
Cradley Heath Band: Active in 1950
Cradley Heath Town Prize Band: Active in the 1920s/1930s
Cradley Heath Victory Brass Band: Active in the 1920s
Cragg Vale and Mytholmroyd Band: See: Moderna Blanket Works Band
Cragg Vale Subscription Band (Yorkshire)
Crane Moor and Stainborough Brass Band (Barnsley): Active in the 1900s
Cranham Band: Extracts from MR J D Birchall's Diary refering to a Cranham band (Mr Birchall was one of the two Lords of the Manor to the village he lived nearby at Bowden Hall in Upton St Leonards). "April 7th 1874 (Tuesday) - Invited 180 school children to tea and an entertainment in the grounds nothing could be more successful we obtained the service of the Cranham band. We had incalculable quantities of cake and bread and butter. (Cranham children were included)". "December 26th 1874 (Saturday) - Most Brilliant day we had the Cranham band to enliven us whilst we skated."
From a village memoir: "Mr Clash one time publican at the Black Horse in the 1920's His band used to provide music for the regular dances held at the Institute in the village. The instruments were stored in his garage. However on one occasion a fight broke out and the instruments were used as weapons of war, most were so twisted or damaged that it was the end of the band, and thereafter bands from outside the village had to be brought in."
There has been a regular feast in Cranham for very early times. Since before the First World War the feast became associated with the Holloway Society. The marching brass bands that accompanied the boundary beaters usually came from surrounding villages. This marching was later reduced and became a march through the village playing at stops on the way to the church for a service. Slowly this is a feature that has been lost due to the difficulty of getting a marching band. Today the Salvation Army band just comes to play at the service.
Crantock Brass Band (Restormel/Cornwall): A mile or so south of Newquay, this band was in existance in 1888. This is the only reference found to an engagement. Not surprisingly, they were not a contesting band.
Craven Amateur Band: Active in 1863
Crawley Down Band: Active in 1904
Crawley Town Prize Band: Formed in 1861 and still active in 1935
Crawley Village Band: Active in 1905
Crawshawbooth Brass Band: Active in the early 1900s
Crediton Town Band (Devon): Active in 1862. Its fortunes were somewhat sporadic and lapsed, probably around the Great War. It experienced a great revival in the 1930s, when it became the tradition for the band to play at the April Great Market when drovers brought their cattle into the High Street for sale, but folded again in 1953. A successor band was formed in 1983.
Crescent Iron Works Band (Salford?): Active in 1880
Crewe Locomotive Steam Works Band (Cheshire): This band existed around the turn of the 20th century but little detail exist of them anymore. (Possibly the same as below?)
Crewe Squadron Band: Active in 1953
Crewe Steam Sheds Band (Cheshire): Competed in the Grand Shield in 1936 and the Senior Cup in 1937. (Possibly the same as the Loco Steam Works Band?)
Crewe Temperance Silver Band (Cheshire): Active in 1933
Crewe West End Silver Band (Cheshire): Active in the 1940/50s - competed in the Senior Cup in 1949.
Crigglestone Band (Yorkshire)
Crittalls Works Band (Braintree): Active in the 1930s. Took part in the Colchester Carnival in 1937, conducted by AM Knight.
Crofthead Brass Band: Active in 1893
Crofthead Public Brass Band: Revived in 1893, it's demise was subsequently reported in 1901.
Crofthouse Brass Band: Formed in 1840, still active in 1896
Crofts End Mission Band
Crofton Workmen's Band (Blyth): Between 1959 and 1962 it rose from the 4th Section to the 1st Section in successive years, the first band to do so. It folded around 1983.
Cromer Boys Band (Norfolk): Formed in 1948. Merged with Sheringham Temperance Band in 1956 to form Cromer and Sheringham Silver Band
Crooke Band (Wigan): See: Standish Band
Crooke & Kirkless Band (Wigan): See: Standish Band
Crooke Miners Welfare Band (Wigan): See: Standish Band
Crookhall Bradley Band: See: Crookhall Colliery Band
Crookhall Colliery Band: Founded in 1924 as the Victory Pit Crookhall Colliery Band, led the championship tables in the North-East in the 1950s and 60s. Known as Crookhall Bradley Band in 1966/7. Following the colliery's closure sponsorship came from Patchogue Plymouth, a fibres division of the American oil company Amoco, and the band became the Patchogue Plymouth Amoco Band. The parent company were impressed with the band to the extent it took over the sponsorship and the band became the Amoco Band in around 1976. However it did not last and the band folded around 1980.
Crosby British Legion Silver Prize Band: Competed in the Junior Trophy in 1962.
Crosfields Perfection Soap Works Band (Warrington): Active in 1905
Crosland Moor Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Cross Gates Band (Yorkshire)
Cross Hills Band (Yorkshire)
Crossley Brothers Band: Active in 1943
Crossley's Carpet Works Band: Formed in 1950, wound up in 1969. Records of the band 1950-1969 held in Halifax Public Library.
Tim Mutum recorded:
The origins of the band date back to December 1949 when fifteen workers at the Crossley factory near Halifax and two others, provided the music for the firm's works carol service. From that nucleus the band quickly became established aided by generous support from the company, winning its first contest in 1951 - the Fourth Section Area contest. Like many a band it secured a quality conductor, this time in the shape of John Harrison who joined in 1952, and who became the driving force behind the band's subsequent successes. Harrison had conducted Brighouse & Rastrick although he was only musical director for a year, whilst his major playing success had been with Cresswell Colliery where he played cornet and soprano. He left Crossley in 1955 but returned in 1958. During the 1960s he continued to conduct Crossley until its demise, and from 1964, was also professional conductor for a time at Cory, commuting from Halifax. There was to be no further lower section Area titles for the band, but promotion through the sections meant that by 1953 they were competing in the Championship Section against the likes of Black Dyke and Brighouse. In 1955 Crossley Carpet Works Band were competing in the Nationals at the Royal Albert Hall, courtesy of coming runner up at the Yorkshire Area. Harrison, having left earlier in the year after the Area success, Willie Wood took them to the Final. It was the sign that the band had arrived in the 'big time', and help retain. Their new found status quality players such as Bernard Bygraves, previously of Brighouse and Black Dyke (and Ferodo as mentioned previously) were persuaded to join. Eventually, this led to a large reduction in the number of players employed by Crossleys, and by the early 1960s only about 20% of the band were employed by the company. Crossley was now a force in Yorkshire, coming third at the Area in 1959 and 1961, winning the title in 1962 and coming runner up in 1964. They were placed third at the Nationals in 1961, and in 1962 went one better finishing second to CWS (Manchester), beaten only by one of the truly great contest wining performances on Verdi's overture 'The Force of Destiny'. Their last appearance at London in 1964 saw them drawn 16 on 'Variations on a Ninth' - coming out of the prizes. Their first appearance at the British Open came in 1956, although the band had failed to win the Grand Shield in the previous few years. The 'one off' appearance under Willie Wood saw them finish out of the prizes, but they returned in 1962 (following their Area win) and were placed fourth. The band continued to appear at Belle Vue until 1968, but never again came in the prizes. By 1969 the band had ceased contesting. It was overdrawn at the bank by £1,000 and only a few of the players worked for Crossleys. Furthermore, the parent - company at that time was in critical talks for a merger with a major rival. In its edition of 28th June 1969, British Bandsman reported that the band had been wound up by the directors who, through company press officer Willa Mooje, also stated that it was not company policy to create work for musicians.
Crossley Lads Club Band (Openshaw): Joseph Frith was asked by Sir William Crossley, the founder of the Lads' Club, in 1892 to start a brass band there. He remained as it's bandmaster until 1922. He gave up 2 evenings a week and a Sunday afternoon for band practice. Highly successful, the band won many prizes in festivals and competitions.
Croswells' Brewery Band: Active in April 1886, when they were allowed to play one night per week at Walsall Arboretum on condition that there was no product advertising!
Crowborough Silver Band (Sussex)
Crowle Adult School Brass Band
Crowle Brass Band
Crowle Town Silver Band (Lincolnshire): Active in the 1930s/40s
Crown Farm Colliery Band: Active around 1920
Crown Point Brass: See: Denton Original Band
Crown Tube Works Band (Wednesbury): Active in 1862, bandmaster W. Blandford. Also in 1886
Croydon Citizens' Labour Band
Cubert Band (Restormel/ Cornwall): They existed in 1897 and were probably formed just for the village celebrations of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Situated a mile or so south of Newquay, they also did no contesting.
Cubbington Excelsior Brass Band
Cubbington Silver Band: Formed in 1900, disbanded in 1957 or 1959 when the remaining players joined the Royal Leamington Spa Silver Band. A successor band was formed in 1995.
Cudworth Band
Culgaith and Temple Sowerby Brass Band: Bandmaster at one time was James Huddart, who was succeeded by Albert Kitchen.
Cullompton Town Band: Active in 1884 and also in 1913, when it performed in Wellington, Somerset - bandmaster: J.P. Rutey
Cumberland Artillery Band, 2nd: See: 2nd Cumberland Artillery Band
Cumbernauld Band: Active in 1928, conducted by H. Bennett
Cupar Town Band (Fife): Active in 1933, and in 1964, conducted by D Campbell.
Cwm Town Band (Ebbw Vale): Active in the 1990s
Cwm Town Workmen's Band: Active in 1938
Cwmavon & District Band: Active in 1948
Cwmavon Copper Miners' Tin Plate Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Cwmbran Subscription Brass Band (Monmouthshire): Active in 1914, when Lewis Edwards was conductor (resident in Malpas Street)
Cwmllynfell & District Silver Band: Active in 1948. Competed in Welsh Championships in the 4th section in 1957, 1960 and 1961, conducted by E. G. Lewis.
Cwmmawr Brass Band: Played for the Professional Foot Races at the Mansel Athletic Grounds, Carmarthen in 1901, when they were conducted by T. Harris; Cwmtawe Brass Band
Cwmtwrch Brass Band: Active in 1890
CWS (Manchester) Band: See: C.W.S. (Manchester) Band
Cyfarthfa Band: Founded in 1838 by iron magnate Robert Thompson Crawshay, whose father owned the huge Cyfarthfa Works at Merthyr Tydfil. The original 1838 band was quickly disbanded as the players, who were mainly local, did not live up to the Crawshays' expectations. Professional, mainly English, players were imported and formed the basis of what was the arguably the first virtuoso brass band. It went on to great success in the contest field.
"Christ Church, in Georgetown, Merthyr Tydfil, was completed in 1857, and consecreted on April 30th of that year. The Sunday of the consecration was a great day and many were invited to the Crawshay Castle for lunch. The famous Cyfarthfa Works Band, which had played at the great opening of the Crystal Palace in London (1851) played the services as there was no organ."
The band won the Crystal Place Contest in 1860, playing Nabucco. Whilst they competed rarely, they still won the Welsh National Eisteddfod held in their home town in 1881.
Some of the music and instruments from the band still exist, the instruments and pieces, in their original bound folios, are displayed at Cyfarthfa Castle, One such piece is the 'Tydfil Overture' written by the great Joseph Parry (he of Myfanwy fame) and probably the first specific, original brass band work.
Following Crawshay's death in 1879, and the passing of the age of iron, the band declined. With no formal support the band limped on until 1908, when the local authority took over the band with a strict set of guidelines. It became the Cyfarthfa & Merthyr Municpal Band, which survived until 1928.
(Further information: Cyfarthfa Reborn)
Cyfarthfa & Merthyr Municpal Band: See: Cyfarthfa Band

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