 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.
For the purposes of this list any bands which amalgamate are both regarded as having "ceased" to form the new band. Also any band with a significant gap in its activity and a subsequent reformation is regarded as having folded at that point. Where the results are a band that still exists, this is noted.
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!
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- Dagenham Brass Band
- Active in the 1920s
- Dagenham Silver Band
- Active in the 1970s. Later known as Barking Concert Band
- Daisy Hill Brass Band
- See: Daisy Hill Subscription Band
- Daisy Hill Subscription Band (Bradford)
- Active in 1905 when Louis Allison took over as conductor. Also active in the 1940s and 1950s
- Dale Abbey Brass Band (Derbyshire)
- Active in 1896
- Dalkeith & Westfield Trades Band (Midlothian)
- Founded as Westfield Brass Band - it was in existence 1876, and also in 1892 when it led a procession to welcome a visit from William Gladstone. In 1904 the band changed its name to the Dalkeith & Westfield Trades Band in order to gain a wider support. That same year the band led a parade in honour of Winston Churchill. In 1905 the band received a grant from the town council after a vote. There's no trace of when the then band went out of being, but it must have been before 1911 as it didn't take part in various reported occasions thereafter.
- Dalkeith Burgh Band (Midlothian)
- Formed after the end of WW1 as the Westgate band. Changed name to Dalkeith Burgh Band sometime before 1929, as it led the Gala Day procession in that year, in the gap left by the earlier Dalkeith & Westfield Trades Band. It played at the local gala day crowning in 1953 in King's Park - the same day as the Queen's coronation. Merged with Monktonhall Colliery Silver Band in 1989
- Dalry Brass Band
- Active in 1872, when they participated in the celebrations for the opening of the new Orange Hall in Irvine. In October 1903 the Kilwinning Co-op Society's new £7,000 building in main Street was formally opened following a procession round the town comprising nearly 1000 persons and led by Dalry Brass Band. In January 1905, at a singing competition under the auspices of Dalry Silver Band, Miss Anniw Frew, New Street, Stevenston, was winner of the gold medal. In September 1905 the Dalry Silver Prize Band provided musical entertainment during the afternoon of the Grand Quoiting Exhibition Game, held under the auspices of Dalry Quoiting Club,
- Dalry Silver Band
- See: Dalry Brass Band
- Dalry Silver Prize Band
- See: Dalry Brass Band
- Dalton Amateur Band
- In January 1897 the annual meeting of the Dalton Town Band was held at the Wellington Hotel. Very soon after this meeting had taken place, there was some disagreement among the members of the band which made some of them terminate their association with the town band and start a band of their own. This was officially formed as the Amateur Brass Band at a meeting held in the Wellington Hotel in March 1897. Mr. A. Baker was appointed as conductor of the new band which survived for many years, and frequently performed at concerts, parades, etc. A Baker later went on to conduct the Brotton Old Band, the Anaconda Copper Mines Band (U.S.A.), then to the Barrow Iron and Steel Works Band in 1921.
- Dalton Glee Band (Yorkshire)
- Danby Brass Band (Yorkshire)
- Active in 1856, when the conductor was Mr Robert Duck
- Dandenong Brass Band (Australia)
- Formed in 1885 and amalgamated with the Dandenong Railways Band in 1895, disbanded in 1939
- Dandenong Railways Band (Australia)
- Formed in 1892 and amalgamated with the Dandenong Brass Band in 1895, disbanded in 1939
- Dannemora Prize Band (Sheffield)
- Active in 1891
- Dannemora Steel Works Brass Band (Sheffield)
- Competed in the Junior Shield in 1962, conducted by E. Foster. Active in 1965
- Dannemora Steelworks Prize Band (Sheffield)
- Won the selection contest held in Doncaster at the Salutation Inn on 14 April 1900
- Dapto Brass Band (Australia)
- Active in 1910
- Darcy Lever Band (Bolton) [1]
- James Halliwell joined Darcy Lever Band at the age of 12 in 1853 and played with them for 15 years while their uniform was a Black Frock Coat, tall hat and white waistcoats. The band dispersed in 1874, where upon Mr Halliwell went as bandmaster to the 9th Lance Volunteer Band.
- Darcy Lever Band (Bolton) [2]
- In 1886 James Halliwell reformed the Darcy Lever Band and was bandmaster until the band dispersed for the last time in 1906. James Halliwell died in 1924. Several members of the Halliwell family played in the band
- Darenth Home for Boys Band (Dartford)
- Active in 1911
- Darfield District Band
- Active in the early 1980s.
- Darfield District Houghton Main Colliery Band
- See: Darfield District Band
- Darley Dale Brass Band
- Formed on the 16th August 1880 and rehearsed in Wensley. The band was a typical village brass band, taking part in local traditions and events. Apart from a break during the Second World War, it continued until the early 1960's when the numbers in the band began to dwindle, and in 1965, the band admitted defeat and ceased to exist, selling all the instruments to the County Education Authority along with the music and all other equipment. A successor band was formed in 1984.
- Darley Silver Band
- Formed in 1901 as Darley Temperance Band. Their first conductor was Redford Procter from Dacre, was in demand for agricultural shows around the district, for which in the early days it was necessary to hire a wagonette and horses for the journey. They played at annual village school fetes, and at the Darley Hospital Sunday Event on Stocks Green, local hospitals benefiting from collections at this event and others at churches and chapels. They led the procession through Darley at the Annual Rechabite Band of Hope Festival on Whit Monday, and were involved locally whenever there were national festivals, coronations, peace celebrations etc, and at many other local events, performing in their uniform of blue, red and gold. From 1932, the band rented a room in Wall, Square for their weekly practices. They kept going when many such bands disbanded, two members, Joe Furniss and J R Houseman, completing forty-five and thirty-eight years service respectively. The band merged with Summerbridge and Dacre Band in 1959
- Darley Temperance Band
- See: Darley Silver Band
- Darlington Band
- See: Darlington Borough Band
- Darlington Borough Band
- Active in 1930 and into the 1950s
- Darlington British Railways Band
- See: Darlington N.E.R. Brass Band
- Darlington Forge Band
- Active from 1921 through 1932. Newspaper report from April 1924 - "Opening of Darlington's new lake. With 3,000 people watching and Darlington Forge Band playing, the Mayor stepped ceremonially into a motor boat, which promptly failed to start."
- Darlington Forge Company Band
- See: Darlington Forge Band
- Darlington N.E.R. Brass Band
- Formed in the late 1830s and became all brass by 1860. Active in 1913 and through to 1948.
- Darlington N.E. Railway Band
- See: Darlington N.E.R. Brass Band
- Darlington Philharmonic Band
- Active in 1864
- Darlington Saxhorn Band
- Formed in 1858. From a newspaper report in 1862 - "Darlington Total Abstinence Society sponsorted a new water fountain and it was ready for opening on June 10, 1862. Led by Dr Fothergill's successor as president, William Thompson, and the Darlington Sax Horn Band, the abstainers paraded from the Mechanics Institute, in Skinnergate, along Blackwellgate and High Row and up Bondgate to the fountain. There Mr Thompson, whose bankruptcy in the late 1870s allowed Darlington to acquire a vast chunk of South Park very cheaply, ceremonially drank the first glass of water from the fountain." Still active in 1876.
- Darlington Temperance Band
- Formed in 1890 and still active in 1920
- Darlington Volunteer Band
- Active in 1904
- Darnall Club and Institute Band
- See: Darnall Silver Band
- Darnall Silver Band (Sheffield)
- Active in the 1930s and 1940s
- Darnall W.M.C. Silver Band
- See: Darnall Silver Band
- Dartford Borough British Legion Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Dartford Borough Silver Band (Kent)
- Dartford Volunteer Silver Band
- Active in 1903
- Dartmouth Borough Band (Devon)
- Active in 1939, when the Bandmaster was J. Courtney, and 1947. When it folded the equipment was passed on to the Kingsbridge Band. Some of the historic pieces, including a drum, were returned to Dartmouth Museum.
- Dartmouth Town Band
- See: Dartmouth Borough Band
- Darton Main Colliery Band
- Active in 1918
- Darton Subscription Band
- Darvel Brass Band
- See: Darvel Burgh Band
- Darvel Burgh Band (Scotland)
- Formed in 1846 as Darvel Brass Band, adopted "Borough" in 1901. In 1879 it took part in a procession in August to inaugurate the Kilmarnock Burns Monument and Kay Park, accompanying the Kilmarnock wood-workers. In 1935 it performed a concert at the National Government Fair held at Loudon Castle, on Saturday June 29th.
- Darwen Borough Brass Band
- Active in 1962
- Darwen Rifle Corps Band
- Active in 1867
- Darwen Borough Prize Band
- See: Darwen Temperance Band
- Darwen Temperance BandFormed in 1840 on strict teetotal principles. In the event of breaking a pledge of abstinence a member had to pay a fine of 2s, 6d, for the first offence, for the second offence he would pay 5s and the third time he was expelled. It is believed that a couple of the founder members had to re-mortgage their own houses in order to buy their instruments. At first the band had no rehearsal room and therefore they had to practise in various member's houses. Finally they were able to move to a bandroom in Foundry Street, Darwen. The band took part in the British Open contest in 1872. In 1901 the band changed from the Darwen Temperance Band to Darwen Borough Prize Band. The band struggled to survive due to the effects of World War I. Local rivals Pickup Bank Band gained the upper hand, partly due to backing from local firm Carus mills. Following World War II Hoddlesden also struggled to find players. In 1950 It was requested that both bands have a joint committee meeting to discuss the shortage of players. The conclusion was that both bands amalgamated to form the Darwen and Hoddlesden Silver Band.
- Daubhill Temperance Band (Bolton)
- Formed in 1924, the band packed up when most of the lads joined the forces in 1939. Three of the bandsmen, Billy Holt, Walter Price and Ralph McCarthy were killed in Japanese POW camps. It competed in the Senior Cup contest in 1937. From the Coventry Evening Telegraph, of March, 1954: "The brass band associations of the Evans family began many years ago in Bolton, where John Evans and his two brothers, all keen bandsmen, decided to form a brass band of their own. Under the title Daubhill Temperance Band, the Evans brothers gathered together a group of brass instrument players, several of them relatives. As time passed, the membership of the band became more and more predominantly Evans, until eventually all its 24 players had either been born in, or married into, the family. Then, in 1936, John Evans' oldest son decided to move south from Lancashire to try his hand at a job in Coventry. He settled there with his family. Gradually, on his recommendation, other members of the family followed, until Bolton's Daubhill Temperance Band had to be abandoned due to lack of (Evans) membership. The pioneer of the family, who first came to Coventry, was killed during the war, but three of his brothers are still active players with Coventry Silver Band"
One tale of this band is while carrying out an engagement in Rufford, the band was marching down a narrow country lane when a car came up behind the band and could not pass. After a while Mr J Evans signalled to the band to move to the side of the road, unfortunately the driver mistook this as a signal to pass and ended up with the drummer seated on the bonnet of his car! Mr Evans noted with a smile that the drummer never broke his beat!
- Davenham Brass Band (Cheshire)
- Active in the 1890s
- Daventry and District Silver Band
- Formed in the late 1940s by the amalgamation of Daventry Town Band, Long Buckby Town Band and Long Buckby Temperance Band
- Daventry Town Band
- Active until the late 1940s when it merged with Long Buckby Town Band and Long Buckby Temperance Band to form Daventry and District Silver Band
- Davey Paxman Standard Ironworks Band
- Formed in 1884 under the patronage of the works owner, James Paxman. The first bandmaster was Mr McQuade. Following the wane of the Paxman empire in 1908 the band folded.
- David Brown Tractors Band
- Active in 1941
- Davidstow Temperance Brass Band (North Cornwall)
- This band carried out engagements over a period of at least four years - 1872-76. Davidstow is a few miles north of Camelford.
- Davis Derby Brass Band
- See: Derby Railway Works Band
- Daw Green Band (Dewsbury)
- Dawdon Band
- See: Dawdon Lodge Silver Band
- Dawdon Lodge Silver Band (Seaham)
- Formed in the early 1900s. Rename Dawdon Band by 1931 - active in the 1950s and 1960s. Acquired a new set of instruments in 1962 at a cost of £2,500. Competed in the Junior Trophy in 1962.
- Dawley Band
- Active in the early 1900s. An old tradition in Dawley was a pig would be placed on a wall in the town to watch the old Dawley band marching by! Also known as Dawley Town Silver Prize Band. Probably folded in WW2.
- Dawley Band (Telford)
- Formed some time after the 1970s and was still active in the 1990s
- Dawley New Town Band
- Formed around 1961, with many players coming from the defunct Hadley Sankeys Castle Band. It later became Telford Band. Ceased in the early 1970s? after rising to 2nd section in the Nationals and section A in the Birmingham and District Association. The Band was formed under the baton of Ted Baldwin who eventually stood down to be replaced by a Denis Emery around 1969/70.
- Dawley Town Silver Prize Band
- See: Dawley Band
- Daylesford & District Band (Australia)
- Formed in 1862. Also known as Daylesford Amateur Band, Daylesford Borough Band. Folded in 1951
- Daylesford Amateur Band
- See: Daylesford & District Band
- Daylesford Borough Band
- See: Daylesford & District Band
- Deaf Hill Colliery Miners' Welfare BandSee: Deaf Hill Colliery Band
- Deaf Hill Colliery Band (County Durham)
- Formed in the early 1900s and still active in 1947
- Dean Bank Band (County Durham)
- Formed in the early 1900s, and was still active in 1915, but probably did not survive the First World War.
- Dean and Chapter Colliery Band (County Durham)
- Formed prior to 1907, after the Dean and Chapter Colliery opened in 1904, and was still active in 1947
- Debenham Brass Band (Suffolk)
- Deddington Brass Band (Oxfordshire)
- Active in the late 1800s
- Dedham Band
- Formed in 1899 and still active in 1906
- Deighton Band
- Active in the 1860s
- Deighton Mills Band (Yorkshire)
- Delabole Temperance Band (North Cornwall)
- This band, formed in 1864, became a very popular and successful group, changing its title in 1919 to Delabole Ex-Servicemen's Band and then to Delabole British Legion Band, this probably in 1921 on the formation of the British Legion . 1930 and they changed once again, this time to Delabole Silver Band. They were eventually disbanded c1953. Their known conductors were Mr Horne: J David Smith: WH Hawke: Mr Ough: B Parsons: John Males: Jim Avy: WB Williams and Leslie Prout who served them from 1933 until their demise in 1953. From 1928, under WB Williams, they began sporadic contesting, and whilst not achieving any notable results, the feeling today is that this was a very happy band.
- Denaby Brass Band (Doncaster)
- Denbigh Borough Band
- Denby Dale Brass Band
- Active in the 1930s to 1960s
- Denby United Silver Prize Band (Yorkshire)
- Formed 1922
- Denholme Brass Band (Yorkshire)
- Denholme Subscription Band (Yorkshire)
- Denman's Head Band (Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire)
- Active in 1864, practiced in the Denman's Head Inn.
- Dennison's Borough Band
- See: St Hilda Colliery Band
- Dennison's Family Band
- See: St Hilda Colliery Band
- Denshaw Brass Band
- Dent Band (Yorkshire)
- Active around 1900
- Denton Original Band
- The Earl of Wilton persuaded Thomas Baxendale to introduce the cotton trade into Denton, and as an inducement gave the land on which Mr Baxendale built in 1862 the Alpha Mill - so called because it was the first cotton mill in Denton. His generosity to the town, particularly to the United Methodist Church, was great. He formed a brass band at his works, which was known for a time as Baxendale's Band, but afterwards became the Denton Original Band. He built 47 houses opposite his mill, which he named Alpha Terrace. The Denton Original Band began its existence in 1859, its promoters recieving the generous support of some of the hat manufacturers and local gentry. The first headquarters were at Baxendale's, at the top of Taylor Lane, but after a short time they were removed to a room behind the Bowling Green Inn. The band has a wonderful record, the crowning triumph coming in London in 1900 when the Denton Band won the thousand guinea cup which was open to Great Britain and the Colonies. There were great rejoicings in Denton when the result of the Crystal Palace contest became known. The magnificent cup was kept at Denton Town Hall and security of 1,000 pounds had to be given for its custody. After this the band ranked with the highest class bands in the country and was in great demand in all parts. During the twentieth century the band maintained its reputation as one of the leading bands of the Manchester district. Following a fire in the Denton band room the band folded (according to a relative of a band member the band room may have been bombed in the second world war). Some items of the band are still in existence. The mace is still held by a former member - it is in the form of a solid silver bowler hat at the end of the mace to signify that the band was the hatters band (Denton being a hat making town). Later known as Crown Point Brass.
- Deptford Borough Band
- Deptford Central Hall Brass Band
- Linked to the Deptford and Greenwich Mission, active from the early 1900s
- Deptford Central Hall Silver Band
- See: Deptford Central Hall Brass Band
- Derby Borough Police Brass Band
- Formed 1936
- Derby Derwent Silver Prize Band
- Formed in the 1920s
- Derby Sax Tuba Prize Band
- Active in 1889 and around 1900
- Derby Railway Iron Works Band
- Active in 1864 when they led the company workers on a procession to the station, and thence to Buxton for a day's excursion.
- Derby Railway Works Band
- Active in 1959. Changed sponsor and became Davis Derby Brass Band in or around 1985, then amalgamated with Neville Brass to form Derwent Brass in 1992.
- Deri Brass Band (Near Bargoed)
- Active around the 1890s
- Derham'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.
- Derwent Works Brass Band (Workington)
- Active in 1892 when it took part in a concert with Workington Vocal Union Voice Choir. Band of the Tinplate Works in Workington, it won a prize at a contest in the Crystal Palace in the 1890s, in the presence of Queen Victoria - one of the players, apparently, was not impressed with the Queen and said she looked like "any old washerwoman". The prize included a silver plate presentation cup on a black wooden base, and the conductor at the time was John Grayburn.
- Deudraeth Brass Band (Wales)
- The band was refused the right to bear the title "Royal" in 1923. Still active in 1949
- Deudraeth Silver Band
- See: Deudraeth Brass Band
- Deveral Brass Band (Penwith, Cornwall)
- There was a brass band existing in Deveral accepting engagements from 1897 to 1911. They did no contesting.
- Devoran Brass Band (Carrick, Cornwall)
- Devoran Brass Band was active from c1866 to 1888. In 1887 they played during a church service celebrating Queen Victoria's Jubilee, a type of engagement that was not usually trusted to a Cornish brass band of that time. The reason could well be because they were, at that time, most certainly one of the leading bands in the county, taking 1st place in the few contests they entered.
- Devizes Town Band (Wiltshire)
- Active in 1911, when Henry Snook was bandmaster. The last brass band in Devizes folded in the early 1980, to be superseded by a concert band in the late 1990s.
- Dewsbury A1 Band (Yorkshire)
- Dewsbury Band
- Formed in 1850 and contested keenly over the next 20 years to 1870, entering some 107 contests winning 98 prizes value £1779 10s. 10d. Then, due to lack of good instruments it ceased contesting until 1887.
- Dewsbury Old Band
- Active between 1866 and 1891
- Dewsbury Public Band (Yorkshire)
- Founded in 1907
- Dewsbury Rifle Corps Band
- Active in 1861
- Dewsbury Temperance Band (Yorkshire)
- Diamond Street Brass Band (Cardiff)
- Active in 1909
- Dick Kerr Brass Band
- See: Electric Tramway and Tramway Carriage Brass Band
- Dick Kerr English Electrical Works Band
- See: Electric Tramway and Tramway Carriage Brass Band
- Dickinson's Silver Band (Hertfordshire)
- See: John Dickinson (Apsley) Band
- Dickleburgh Brass Band (Suffolk)
- Didcot and Northbourne Silver Band
- Formed in the early 1920s, probably disbanded around WW2. The area around the Didcot railway station in Station Road was truly the social - and commercial - centre of Didcot and Northbourne in the early twenties. This is where everybody met. The Red Triangle club and the area around it were known colloquially as the Wangle. Many activities were staged there, and it was open several days of the week; and run by a committee, composed mainly of railwaymen and their wives. In January 1925, a report issued by the Committee stated that it was... a hall let to all kinds of organisations; home to the Didcot Band….. The club was soon renamed the Didcot and Northbourne Social Club. In the early days as it was closely linked to the GWR, its twice-weekly dances were often to the music of the Swindon GWR Concert Band; they also gave concerts. The costs of hiring this and other bands, especially from Oxford, led eventually to the setting up of the Didcot and Northbourne Silver Band; Bandmasters were A.R. Faraday and Harold Bellamy.
- Didcot and Northbourne United Band
- See: Didcot and Northbourne Silver Band
- Didsbury Brass Band
- Took part in the Coronation Festivities held at Didsbury on June 22nd, 1911.
- Diggle Band
- Original band folded in 1927. (new band formed in 1996)
- Dinas Band
- Dingle Band (Liverpool)
- Active in 1938
- Dipton Colliery Band (Newcastle)
- Disley Band (Cheshire)
- Active in 1850
- Diss Brass Band
- Active in 1833
- Diss Town Band
- Active in 1907
- Ditton Priors Brass Band
- Active in 1894
- Dixon Green Band (Bolton)
- Active in the 1860s. Also known as Will Owen's Band, named after the conductor and founder who lived at the King's Arms on Plodder Lane, Farnworth. They had a series of falling outs over the division of the proceeds from their engagements and eventually several of the principal players including William Owen left and joined Barnes' Band.
- Dobson & Barlow Ltd. Band (Bolton)
- Active in 1930s and 1940s. The sponsoring firm were cotton machinery manufacturers. Competed in the First Annual Brass Band Contest organised by Wigan Borough Prize Band in 1943 (conducted by J.W. Hughes). They won 2nd prize at Walkden Prize Contest in 1931, they were also entered for a contest in Wigan in 1945 but were unplaced. Dobson and Barlow ceased trading in 1963. The band had disbanded previous to this date.
- Docks and Marine Band (Southampton)
- Active in 1930, when it took part in a massed concert with the Thornycroft Band and the recently formed Southampton Albion Silver Band. It was financed by the Docks Board and based in Southampton Docks where a number of the members were employed. After WW2 economies had to be made and the band was one of the things the Board decided should go. It was disbanded around 1949. Some of the members of this band, went to join Southampton Royal British Legion Band.
- Dodworth Auxilliary Fire Service Band
- Active in the 1940s
- Dodworth Prize Brass Band (Yorkshire)
- Records of the band, from 1887-1942, are held by Barnsley Archive and Local Studies Department
- Dodworth's Band
- Active in 1860s
- Dolgelly Brass Band
- Active in 1928
- Don Valley Working Men's Brass Band (Oughtibridge)
- Active in 1927
- Doncaster Borough Band
- Formed in 1893, under the baton of David Cameron. Had folded by 1907
- Doncaster Druids Band
- Doncaster Excelsior Silver Band
- Formed in December 1909, the bandmaster, Mr Fox, emigrated to New Zealand in 1911
- Doncaster Loco Band
- Formed in June 1852 with £50 spent on instruments. Celebrated an anniversary supper on 28 June 1853 with 66 persons present. On 5 June 1854 it accompanied the children of the Doncaster Plant Works school to Askern Spa on the occasion of the laying of the Plant School foundation stone. It did not survive much beyond this and did not have a regular bandmaster or musical director.
- Doncaster NUR Band
- Active around 1928 until at least 1931, the National Union of Railwaymen's band played in Elmfield Park, Doncaster on 16 August 1931 under the baton of JW Ellis.
- Doncaster Plant Works Band
- See: Great Northern Railway Plant Works Band
- Doncaster Railway Foundry Band
- Took part in the first South Yorkshire Brass Band Contest, at Doncaster, on 29th August 1859
- Doncaster Temperance Band
- Formed around 1898. Renamed Doncaster Temperance Prize Band shortly afterwards. Wound up in the courts as of 21st April 1902
- Doncaster Temperance Prize Band
- See: Doncaster Temperance Band
- Donnington Wood Silver Prize Band (Telford, Shropshire)
- The band had ceased playing by 1961 and passed their instruments and library to Trench Secondary Modern School. The school had a Brass band for about 2 years but started to incorporate clarinets and a saxophone by 1963. The band carried out a number of public concerts and garden fetes outside of the school remit. The school band conductor was Derrick Ball.
- Dore Brass Band (near Sheffield)
- Active in the first half of the 20th century.
- Dorking Town Band
- Active between at least 1882 and 1956. In the Dorking Town Museum archives documents mention the band at an entertainment in 1882, open air concerts at the Rotunda, South Street and at Milton Heath, appearance in Dorking Town Day in 1956. The band played weekly in the bandstand in Dorking in the early part of the 20th century. There are also the "Recollections of Dorking Town Band pre 1939" by Jim Aslett, who joined the band in 1933 aged 18.
- Dorman, Long & Co. Works Band (Redcar)
- Formed as Dorman's Works Band in the early 1900s, and still active in 1950
- Dorman's Works Band
- See: Dorman, Long & Co. Works Band
- Dormansland Brass Band (Surrey)
- Active in the 1950s
- Dornoch Brass Band
- Active in the early 1900s
- Douglas Colliery Band (Scotland)
- Active in 1928, 1933
- Doura Brass Band
- Active in 1872, when they participated in the celebrations for the opening of the new Orange Hall in Irvine.
- Dove Holes Prize Band
- Active in 1926
- Dover Town Band
- Active between 1893 and 1910
- Dovercourt Corporation Band
- Active in 1912
- Dowlais Brass Band (Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil)
- Active in 1948
- Downend Brass Band (Bristol)
- Active in 1864, when they took part in the processions celebrating the official opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
- Dr Bell's School Band (Leith, Edinburgh)
- Founded in 1926.
- Drax Brass Band (Yorkshire)
- Records of the band, from 1927-1951, are held by York University: Borthwick Institute of Historical Research
- Drefach Brass Band
- Dreudraeth Brass Band (Merionethshire)
- Drift Band (Penwith, Cornwall)
- Reference to only one engagement can be found, and that was in 1895 playing at the Wesleyan Sunday school tea treat in St Buryan.
- Drighlington & Adwalton Comic Prize Band
- Active in 1911, when it brought up the rear of the procession at the Co-op Children's Gala in Drighlington, a special treat for all the children, aged 4 to 15, of the Drighlington & District Co-operative Society.
- Dronfield Temperance Brass Band
- Wound up in the late 1940s, known as Dronfield Temperance Brass & Reed Band in the early 1900s
- Droxford Methodist Band (Hampshire)
- Active between 1910 and 1976
- Dry Clough Band
- See: Ponden Band
- Dubbo Brass Band (Australia)
- Formed in 1879
- Dudley Colliery Band (Northumberland)
- Formed in 1890. Changed its name to Hartley Main Colliery Band before 1939, but reverted to Dudley Colliery Band in 1947. Competed in the Junior Shield in 1962, conducted by K. Bond.
- Dudley Colliery Excelsior Brass Band
- Dudley Colliery Workmen's Prize BandSee: Dudley Colliery Band
- Dudley District Band
- Active in 1977 and the 1980s. Became Banks Brewery Band by the 1990s through sponsorship.
- Dudley Excelsior Port Band
- See: Revo Works Band
- Dudley Port Prize Band
- See: Revo Works Band
- Dudley Temperance Band
- Active in 1898
- Dudley Workmen's Silver Model Prize BandSee: Dudley Colliery Band
- Duffield Subscription Prize Band (Derbyshire)
- Active in 1935
- Dulais Valley Silver Band
- Competed in the 1964 West of England Regional Championships (4th Section), conducted by Stanley Dodd
- Dulverton Brass Band
- See: Dulverton Silver Band
- Dulverton Silver Band (Somerset)
- In existence in 1870 as Dulverton Subscription Band, then Dulverton Brass Band. Silver Band title adopted in 1929
- Dulverton Subscription Band
- See: Dulverton Silver Band
- Dumbarton Burgh Band
- Dumfries Volunteers Band
- Active in 1866
- Dumfriestown Band
- Dunblane Town Band
- Active in 1909
- Dundee Excelsior Band
- Active in 1864.
- Dundee R.N.V.R. Band
- Dundee Trades Band
- Practised in Dudhope Barracks
- Dunham Woodhouses Band (Cheshire)
- Active in 1949
- Dunlop Works Band (Birmingham)
- Active in 1929Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Disbanded during WW2.
- Dunnikier Colliery Band
- Dunscar Works Band (Bolton)
- They attended a contest in Bromley Cross arranged by the Eagley Band in 1888. The contest took the form of a quickstep from Eagley Bridge to the Spread Eagle Pub were the band secured a first prize of £1. Later in the day the bands played a Waltz and Polka, but unfortunately the band could not repeat its success of the morning.
- Dunstable Borough Brass Band
- Formed as the Dunstable Rifle Volunteer Band around 1860. The first bandmaster was Henry Farrer. It became the Dunstable Borough Band around 1864. In 1898 the bandmaster was George Franklin of Church Street. 1914, the bandmaster was Frederick Franklin, of 4 Princes Street. 1937, the conductor was F. Duncombe. The band did not survive WW2.
- Dunstable Excelsior Prize Band (Bedfordshire)
- Founded in 1865 as the Dunstable Temperance Band. In 1885 it amalgamated for a brief period with the Houghton Regis Band, to form the Dunstable Promenade Band. The bands split thereafter to go their separate ways again, the Temperance Band renaming itself as the Excelsior Band by 1898. In 1903/1914 - W. Dolman was the bandmaster, of Icknield Street. It folded around 1963.
- Dunstable Promenade Band
- See: Dunstable Excelsior Prize Band
- Dunstable Temperance Band
- See: Dunstable Excelsior Prize Band
- Dunston Wesleyan Band
- Active in 1907
- Durham City Band
- Active from 1899 to the 1930s
- Durham Shakespeare Prize Band
- Founded 1910. The band enlisted en mass in 1939 as the Band of the 11th Durham Light Infantry. All the instruments and nine bandsmen were left behind in the Dunkirk evacuation and two lost their lives. The band was reformed in England and went on to play across Europe during the War. It resumed its civilian status on demobilisation. As Durham Shakespeare Temperance Band it competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Probably folded in the late 1940s
- Durham Shakespeare Temperance Band
- See: Durham Shakespeare Prize Band
- Durham Street Mission Band (Middlesbrough)
- Formed in the 1900s and still active in 1931.
- Durley Band
- Active in the 1920s. Used to play in the "Little Yard" by the Sawmill on Sundays and were a reasonably large group in the 1920s, even if a number of the musicians, like bandmaster Edgar Adams from Bishop's Waltham, came from outside the parish.
- Dyffryn Silver Band (Merionethshire)
- Active in 1948
- Dykehead Silver Band (Scotland)
- E
- E. R. Youth Band (Yorkshire)
- See: Hessle Youth Band
- Ealing Borough Silver Band (Middlesex)
- Active in 1914 - Thomas J. Allen, secretary of 4 Alexandria Road
- Ealing Central Band (London)
- Active in 1945. The band was founded as a junior band to teach youngsters and gradually expanded, it was transfered to the next Borough of Southall as the Southall Brass Band because of lack of support from the Ealing Council. Dan Burgess was the conductor.
- Earl Shilton Silver Band (Leicestershire)
- Henry Cook was bandmaster c. 1947
- Earls Colne Band (Essex)
- From their formation in 1880, the Earls Colne Band provided musical accompaniment for many local events, their final performance was in 1953.
- Earls Barton Old Silver Band (Northamptonshire)
- Active in 1914 - Charles Stewart, secretary. Still active in 1933
- Earls House Industrial School Band (Witton Gilbert)
- Active between 1905 and 1914
- Earlestown Viaduct Band
- Active in the 1900s and 1930s
- Earlsheaton Band (Yorkshire)
- Easington Public Band (County Durham)
- Formed in 1915 as Easington Colliery Youth Band, became the National Fire Service Band during World War 2 and thereafter Easington Public Band. Merged with Easington Colliery Band in 1956.
- Easington Colliery Youth Band
- See: Easington Public Band
- East Benhar Instrumental Brass Band
- Active in 1886
- East Berks Brass Band
- Active in 1959
- East Bristol Temperance Band
- Active in 1933, when it took part in a festival of brass bands at the Colston Hall, Bristol.
- East Clwyd Youth Brass Band
- Active in the 1970s. It was formed in the county of the then Clwyd and the players were all pupils of various schools in the county. They usually practised at Ysgol Mold Alun, Maes Garmon and Buckley Elfed. In the summer of 1976 they toured in Germany and Holland, playing at several venues, including the forces theatre in Rheindarlen, Germany. The conductor at that time was Graham Jones, who went on to conduct various well known bands in North Wales.
- East Compton Band (Gloucestershire)
- East Dean Band (Sussex)
- In 1877 the opening of a temperance hotel and hall in the town was disturbed by the playing of a band employed by a local publican.
- East End Brass Band (Sunderland)
- A number of men from the East End of Sunderland had the idea of forming a brass band and this was achieved in 1887. Many of the East End Prize Band were paying members but did not play instruments, they did, however, play football. The officials knew that by keeping the men together their interest in the band would be maintained. Therefore, they helped them form a football club: East End Black Watch. The title Black Watch did not have a local connection, a committee man thought "the name would encourage the players to succeed as had the famous Highland regiment." On April 19th, 1893 a game was played on the Town Moor between Black Watch and the East End Brass Band, with the referee in Chinese costume. A collection was taken during the match for the benefit of the band.
- East Grinstead Band
- Active in the 1870s
- East Grinstead Town Band
- Active in from 1900s to 1930s, at least
- East Grinstead Volunteer & Town Band
- Active in the 1890s
- East Ham Borough Band
- Active in 1908
- East Ham Silver Band
- Active in the 1940s, previously known as Grangewood Silver Band in the 1930s
- East Home League Band (Reading)
- East Howle Colliery Band (Co. Durham)
- Active in 1888
- East Hull Prize Silver Band
- Concert for the Victoria Hospital for Sick Children (Working Men's Committee) at East Park, Hull, Sunday 20th August 19xx [probably 1905 or 1911] from 3pm to 5pm. The programme was Mephistopheles (S. Douglas), Crown of Merit (C.W. Bennet), La Traviata (W. Rimmer), Excelsior, A Casket of Gems (H. Round), The Lost Chord (Sullivan), We Never Will Bow Down (Handel), Maidstone (J. Ord Hume). The Conductor was Mr W. Milsom.
- East Kew Citizens' Band (Australia)
- Founded in 1936, amalgamated with the Kew City Band to form the present-day Kew Band
- East Kilbride Silver Band
- East Lancs Paper Group Band
- See: Radcliffe Borough Band
- East Linton Brass Band (East Lothian)
- Active in the early 1900s. A. P. Walker was Bass Drummer in the band (as noted in his obituary in 1935)
- East Markham Brass Band
- Active around 1900
- East Mendip Silver Band (Coleford, Somerset)
- East Peckham British Legion Band
- Took part in the Royal Tunbridge Wells & District Band Federation 27th Annual Band Festival (4th Section), 14th May 1955, gaining 2nd place and £5
- East Riding Youth Band (Yorkshire)
- See: Hessle Youth Band
- East Stour Band (Dorset)
- In the 1870s, members of the East Stour Band played around the district and at Christmas, performed carols. They would walk to Inwood House and play to Mr. Merthyr Guest. It was the custom of the butler to enquire who they were and the reply would come, 'East Stour Band', and for this they received half a sovereign. Four days later, they would pop down to the house again and this time the answer would be 'West Stour Band' for which they received another half sovereign. It was only a little white lie, if you remember that about a dozen members had walked ten miles to earn their coins!
- Eastbourne Brass Ensemble
- During the early 1970's, the was a split away from the established Eastbourne Silver Band and a rival was set up under the name of the Eastbourne Brass Ensemble. This man responsible for the formation of the band was Harry Pearce. It was a non-contesting band. They folded prior to 1979.
- East Winch Britannia Brass Band (Norfolk)
- Active in 1910
- East Yorkshire Brass Band
- Active in the early 1920s
- Eastbourne Brass Ensemble
- During the early 1970's, the was a split away from the previously established Eastbourne Silver Band and a rival was set up under the name of the Eastbourne Brass Ensemble. This man responsible for the formation of the band was Harry Pearce. It was a non-contesting band. They had folded by 1979.
- Easter Compton Band (Gloucestershire)
- Easterton Prize Silver Band (Wiltshire)
- Eastington Brass Band (Gloucestershire)
- Active in 1895 and 1898 when they played at Painswick Flower Show
- Eastwood Ambulance Band
- Active in 1899.From the Awsworth Parish Magazine, August 1903: "Revd Higgins talks about the Annual United Sunday School Treat. This year it was a great success, being blessed with fine weather. There was a short service in the afternoon at the Board School and Mr Bonner's field was used in the evening for games and recreation. It was enlivened by the Eastwood Ambulance Band which "discoursed sweet music" during the proceedings."
- Eastwood and Greasby Ambulance Band
- See: Eastwood Ambulance Band
- Eastwood Mill Band (Keighley)
- The mill was owned by Ickringills.
- Eaton Farnworth Brass Band
- Formed in 1990 by the merger of Eaton (Truck Components) Band and Farnworth Old Band. Merged with Walkden Band in 2004 to form Eaton Farnworth & Walkden Band
- Eaton Ford Primitive Methodist Brass Band (St Neots, Bedfordshire)
- Active in the 1890s
- Eaton Transmission Gear Group Band
- See: Kearsley St Stephens Band
- Eaton (Truck Components) Band
- See: Kearsley St Stephens Band
- Eaton Works Band
- See: Kearsley St Stephens Band
- Ebchester Band
- Active in 1907
- Ebenezer Chapel BandSee: William Davis Construction Group Band
- Ebor Brass Band (York)
- York, 1980s-?
- Ebor Excelsior Silver Prize Band (York)
- Formed 1883 as Chaucer Street Mission Band, later names were York and District Mission Band, York Excelsior Band. Merged, in 1952, with York City Brass Band to form the current York Railway Institute Band.
- Ecclesfield Silver Band
- From Sheffield, they were one of the oldest bands in the country. They folded around 1985.
- Ecclesfield Silver Prize Band
- See: Ecclesfield Silver Band
- Eccleshill Band (Yorkshire)
- Eccleston Band
- Active at least as early as 1906, but folded after the Second World War. A successor band was formed in 1969
- Eccleston Prize Band
- See Eccleston Band
- Echo Ryhope Colliery Band
- See: Ryhope Colliery Band
- Eckington United Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Edge Hill (British Railways) Band (Liverpool)
- Formed in 1885 as the Edge Hill Steam Sheds Band.
Mike Hughes reports: "I conducted the band from 1970 until 1975. We gained 4th in the Championship Section in 1972 and won the area contest for WD & HO Wills in 1971. For many years the principal cornet player was Ken Tinsley who was cornet chapion of Great Britain I think 3 times and solo champion once. The band quartet was champion of Great Britain in 1963 and came 2nd in 1971, 3rd 1972 and 4th 1973. Bill Yates conducted the band for many years and conducted them at the Albert Hall in 1961 & 1963 after gaining third place in the Area contest at the Free Trade Hall Manchester".
Malcolm Looby reports: "I joined Edge Hill (BR) Band in 1976. The band rehearsed in one of the sheds in the sidings at Edge Hill, Liverpool on the corner of Combermere Street and Picton Road two nights a week and more (much more) often when approaching the date of a contest. It was a championship section band at the time and the band room had a few framed certificates on the wall - a big one I recall was from having played in the Championship Finals in 1966 I think, and another was a solo cornet certificate from the soloists competition at or around the same time. When I joined, the band had strong links with a couple of other 'local' bands (Camel Lairds which had folded a few years before and Fodens) with several ex-players of these bands coming to play with Edge Hill, and probably because of these connections we also had a couple of 'guest' conductors coming to rehearse the band occasionally - James Scott and Rex Mortimer. The conductor throughout my time with Edge Hill (BR) Band was Bob Dean. He had played with both Camel Lairds and Fodens. The band played in quite a number of championship contests - best placing was 8th a couple of times in the Areas at Preston Guild Hall. We didn't play in enough though, and it has to be said that we weren't quite good enough to stay in the top section - so the inevitable happened and we were relegated to the second section probably about 1980. We did OK in the second section, winning the last ever 2nd section contest at the Kings Hall, Belle View, and the same contest a year later (or a year before!) at Bolton Town Hall before it burnt down. We qualified for the Pontins finals in North Wales I recall also. With the break up of British Rail the band lost the little sponsorship it had and had to begin paying for rehearsal rooms. We had moved out of the sidings into what was a 'mothballed' hotel attached to Lime Street Station, and when that was made into a hotel again we went to rehearse in schools, the band then withered away."
Stephen Roughley reports: "I played in the band from around about 1988-1992, eventually becoming principle cornet player with the band. By this time, it was no longer a contest band, but was still conducted by Bob Dean, with Roy Eaves (I think ex-Fodens) on euphonium or trombone. Many of the players at this stage were also from the Liverpool Schools Senior Brass Band. The band was meeting for rehearsals in Rail House, an office block to the side of Lime Street Station, in Liverpool. I think the band folded a few years later, and possibly was merged into the St Margarets school band, which Bob also ran."
- Edge Hill L.M.S. Band
- See: Edge Hill (British Railways) Band
- Edge Hill Steam Sheds Band
- See: Edge Hill (British Railways) Band
- Edgeley Band
- Active in the 1930s and 1950
- Edinburgh Trades Band
- Active in 1928, conducted by Alex Rae
- Edlington N.U.R. Band (Doncaster)
- Edmonton Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Edmonton Borough Band
- Active in 1939
- Edmonton Silver Prize Band
- Active in 1928
- Edmonton Temperance Silver Band
- Active in 1923
- Edmonton Town Brass Band (Middlesex)
- Active in 1894/1896 - G Rochester bandmaster, Golden Fleece Pub, Lower Fore Street
- Edmonton Town Military Band (London)
- Active in 1909
- Effingham Gas Works Band (Surrey)
- Active in the early 1900s
- Egerton Street Mission Band (Manchester)
- Active in 1950
- Egerton Street Wesleyan Temperance Band (Bolton)
- Active in 1924. The chapel was situated on the junction of Egerton Street and Lorne Street and was consecrated in 1872. It is assumed that the band had ceased to exist prior to 1934. The Chapel was demolished in 1956
- Egglestone Brass Band (County Durham)
- Active in 1914 - Alfred Allinson, secretary
- Egham & Englefield Green Public Prize Brass Band
- Originally Egham Temperance Band until 1906, it amalgamated with Egham Town Band in 1919.
- Egham Temperance Band
- See: Egham & Englefield Green Public Prize Brass Band
- Egham Town Band
- Merged with Egham and Englefield Public Band in 1919
- Eglinton Iron Works Band (Kilwinning)
- Active in 1874. The ironworks was at Blacklands, Kilwinning, Ayrshire.
- Elan Village Brass Band (near Rhayader)
- Active in the late 1800s
- Eldon Colliery Band (Shildon)
- Formed in the 1900s. Active in 1932, conducted by T. Collinson.
- Electric Tramway and Tramway Carriage Brass Band
- Formed before 1900, later known as Dick Kerr English Electrical Works Band in the 1920s and then later still, Blackburn's Steel Work's Band in the 1930s. Some press cuttings about the band:
Preston Guardian - 13th April 1901. "There was a Gala at Penwortham on Easter Monday. The Electric Tramway and Tramway Carriage Brass Band arranged the gathering. The band, some 27 strong, arranged in brand-new uniforms discoursed selections and dance music with considerable skill".
Preston Herald - 3rd September 1902, "Preston Guild Processions. In the Trades Procession there were: - Electric Railway and Tramway Carriage Works Band. The Catholic Guild procession contained: Electric Car Works Band (Preston). The Church of England Schools had: Electric Car Works (Preston) Brass Band."
Lancashire Daily Post - 31st December 1917 "1,500 children were entertained at the Public Hall on Saturday 29th to coffee, buns and fruit tart. 3,000 nearly swamped the Dick Kerr Band and watched pictures provided by Frank Foster of the Marathon. The event was organised by the Preston Borough Police for the poor children's fund."
Lancashire Daily Post - 5th May 1919. "Dick Kerr's Band. Yesterday DKB gave two performances at PNE ground. Bad weather kept the crowds away but the poor crowd enjoyed playing that has rarely, if ever, been excelled by a local band. Further concert on Whit Sunday."
Lancashire Daily Post - 3rd July 1926: "Sat 17th at Rob Green Farm, Fishwick, Preston Conservative Gala (Preston parks are not available for political events.) programme included The Dick, Kerr Prize Band playing for dancing."
Preston Guardian - 1st December 1934. "Preston Band's Quartet Success. A Quartet from Blackburn Steel Works Band (Ex Dick Kerr's) won the Rushworth and Draper's Shield at Liverpool on Saturday. T. Berry, Solo Cornet, A. Whitehead, Second Cornet, L. Beck, Solo Horn and J. Dixon, Euphonium".
- Elemore Colliery Band (Easington Lane)
- Formed in the 1900s and still active in 1909
- Elland C.E.F.A Youth Band
- Active in the 1950s/60s. Competed in the Junior Cup in 1962, conducted by W. H. Exley
- Elland Edge Band
- See: Elland Upper Edge Band
- Elland Upper Edge Band (Yorkshire)
- Ellesmere Port Church Silver Band (Cheshire)
- Formed as a breakaway band from the Ellesmere Port Public Prize Band in the 1890s. Competed in the Crystal Palace contest in 1923 in the 3rd Section. Renamed the Ellesmere Port British Legion Band in the 1930s. Amalgamated with Ellesmere Public Prize Band in 1946 to form Ellesmere Port and District Band
- Ellesmere Port Public Prize Band (Cheshire)
- An earlier drum and fife band, which was formed in the 1870s provided the basis for the Public Prize Band, which was active by 1885. In 1902 W. Johnson was the secretary. Competed in the Crystal Palace contests in 1922 and 1923 in the 3rd Section. Also known as the Chapel Band. It amalgamated with Ellesmere Church Band in 1946 to form Ellesmere Port and District Band
- Ellesmere Port British Legion Band (Cheshire)
- See: Ellesmere Port Church Silver Band
- Ellesmere Public Prize Band (Cheshire)
- See: Ellesmere Port Public Prize Band
- Ellington Colliery Band (Lynemouth)
- Active in 1914, but probably folded during the Great War. A successor band was formed in Lynemouth in 1925.
- Ellington Silver Band (Ramsgate, Kent)
- Elliott's Metal Co. (I.C.I.) Band
- Founded in 1896 as Elliott's Smelting Works Band. The band quickly established itself playing at local fetes and marches, raising money for both itself and worthy causes. One such example was a march for the destitute and unemployed people of Kidwelly, which raised about £8, a considerable amount of money at the turn of the century. The lifeblood for most bands is on the competing stage and this was as important in the 1920's as it is today. In those days the band had to make it's own way to contest venues by train. It was fortunate that the band's rehearsal room was in the Neptune buildings adjacent to the station. A distinct highlight was representing Wales at the Crystal Palace in London in the 1930s. Just before the outbreak of the Second World War the bands' fortunes took a turn for the worse and they disbanded.
- Elliott's Smelting Works Band
- See: Elliott's Metal Co. (I.C.I.) Band
- Ellmore's Can and Basket Works Brass Band
- See: Syston Silver Band
- Elmstead Market Band (Essex)
- Active in 1910
- Elmstead Market Wesleyan Methodist Band (Essex)
- Elmwood Mills Band (Leeds)
- Elsecar Band
- Active in the 1930s
- Elsecar Main Colliery Band
- Active in the 1950s/60s. Competed in the Senior Cup in 1962.
- Elsecar Prize Band
- Active in 1946
- Elsecar Subscription Band
- See: Elsecar Band
- Elswick Hopper Brass Band (Barton-on-Humber)
- Active in 1893 and the early 1900s. Richard Weston, a member of Kettering Rifles Band, moved to Barton and joined the Elswick Hopper Brass Band playing Tuba. He worked for Elswick Hopper cycle manufacturer at Barton-on-Humber as a labourer in tube and sheet-metal working and brazing. In 1880 Fred Hopper had established a cycle repair business in a former blacksmith's shop in Brigg Road, Barton-upon-Humber. He went on from repairing cycles to manufacturing them. The business flourished and by 1905 it employed over 400 people. As the business grew it moved to larger premises on Marsh Lane. F. Hopper and Co. also had a large three storied building built on the corner of Holydyke and Brigg Road for offices. The wrapping and packing was done on Brigg Road ready for export. Early pictures of the office had the words "The Butterfly Cycle Company" emblazoned on the wall. The company had started exporting to places such as Australia, Japan, India and South Africa by 1912. Around 1913 the company acquired the Elswick Cycle company and the company became Elswick Hopper Cycle and Motor Company. In 1936 Elswick Hopper was quoted on the London Stock Exchange.
- Elswick Works BandSee: Elswick Hopper Brass Band<
- Elworth Silver Band (Cheshire)
- Edwin Foden was one of the founders of this band in the later part of the 19th century, but the band was dissolved in 1902 after it demanded a fee of £4 for taking part in the local celebrations for the Coronation of King Edward VII. Following this, Edwin Foden reconstituted a band in its place, with new instruments, taking the name of his motor works - Fodens. The rest is history....
- Ely City Band
- Active in 1910
- Emlyn Colliery Brass Band (Penygroes)
- Active in the 1930s
- Emma Colliery Band (Ryton)
- Formed in the 1890s and was active through to 1938.
- Emsworth Primitive Methodist Brass Band
- Active in 1910.
- Endon Brass Band (Staffs)
- Active in 1864
- Enfield Central Band (London)
- Formed 1861, active in 1938
- Enfield Town Silver Prize Band
- Active in the 1920/30s. Merged with the North Middlesex Silver Band in 1949 to form Enfield Brass Band.
- English Congregational Church Brass Band (Caerphilly)
- Active in 1908
- Enniscaven Brass Band (Restormel, Cornwall)
- Next door to St Dennis, they were formed sometime before 1933 and continued up to, and after World War 2. They did no contesting. Their only conductor appears to have been a James Best, an ex baritone/trombone player from the St Dennis Band.
- Epping Forest Military Band
- Active in 1892.
- Epping Town Band
- Founded in 1894 by R.E. Rutland, an engine driver for the Great Eastern Railway. Many original bandsmen were railway workers based at Stratford and the first bandmaster was Tom Smith, another railway worker, whose two sons both played in the band. The first secretary and treasurer was Charlie Hills whose son Sydney still lives in Epping and is a well known local historian. The bandsmen each paid an entry fee of one shilling and subscriptions of threepence a week towards purchase of music. Monies earned by the band were either divided among the bandsmen or put towards uniform purchase. Engagements were many and varied at this time and included playing at the local cycling and athletic club sports meetings, football matches and on the stage of the old town hall when it was used for roller skating. One of the most memorable engagements was an ice carnival on the lake at Coopersale House in February 1895 when the lake was illuminated by small fairy lamps and Chinese lanterns. Hundreds of skaters were entertained by the lady of the House, Miss Archer-Houblon and the carnival was enlivened by the band's music and a firework display. Other celebrations included frequent concerts in the market place and the two days of celebrations for Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee in June 1897. The Epping Band folded in the the early 1920s.
Thanks to the current Epping Forest Band for this information.
- Epsom Town Band
- Active in 1918
- Epworth Temperance Band
- Active in 1845
- Erchfont Brass Band
- See: Urchfont Prize Brass Band
- Ercol Furniture Company Band (High Wycombe)
- Active in the 1970s
- Erimus Works Band (Middlesbrough)
- Formed in 1898 and still active in 1913.
- Erith British Legion Band (Kent)
- Erith Town Band
- Active in the 1920s
- Escomb Brass Band
- Active in the 1920s
- Esher Royal Brass Band
- Active in 1887
- Eston Miners' Old Brass Band (Middlesbrough)
- Active in 1900, when it took part in the ceremony to lay the foundation stones of the Normanby Methodist Church on Saturday June 30th. Still active in 1920.
- Etherley Silver Band (Bishop Auckland)
- Active between 1903 and 1913
- Euxton Town Band
- Evenwood Colliery Band (County Durham)
- Active between 1899 and 1937. Merged with the Hunwick Colliery Band at some point.
- Everards Brewery Band (Leicester)
- See: City of Leicester Band
- Evesham Brass Band
- Active in 1885 when it took part in a church parade on 4/4/1885
- Evesham Wesleyan Mission Band
- Active in 1906
- Exeter Silver Band
- Exmouth Town Band
- Active in 1887
- Eynesbury and St. Neots Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Eynsford Brass Band
- Drum of the band still exists and is held by the Farningham and Eynsford Local History Society
- Eythorne Band
- Active around 1895, and died down to just one or two players by the 1950's, was revived in the 1960's and stayed at full strength until the late 1980's when it reduced in number to just 2 or 3 players. With the return to the village in 1999 of a couple of old members from the 1970's, the band was revived again in 2002 as ex band members reformed and taught their own children to play.
- F
- Fairbairn's Band (Leeds)
- Founded in 1851. Active in 1855
- Fairfield Band (Govan)
- Instituted 1877. Conductor in 1888 was E. Baistow
- Fairford Silver Band (Gloucestershire)
- Formed around 1903. Folded in January 2009 - some of the band's instruments, including the original bass drum from 1903, and some of their trophies, were handed over to the Fairford Historical Society.
- Fairwarp Brass Band
- See: Fairwarp Silver Band
- Fairwarp Silver Band (Sussex)
- The band had its beginnings in the Ashdown Forest Temperance Band, founded by Frank T Ridley, who started a garage business in Nutley. It was based in the specially built bandroom in Old Forge Lane, Horney Common. The band was supported by Count Munster, owner of Maresfield Park estate from 1898 to 1914. The band split in 1911 when the Nutley members started their own band. After the War the band was started up again by mainly Fairwarp members, backed by Ventura P Misa, the then owner of Oldlands estate, and by the subsequent owner, Sir Bernard Eckstein. Eckstein established a trust, which enabled the band to purchase new uniforms and silver instruments. Previously called the Fairwarp Brass Band, the band seems to have been commonly known as Fairwarp Silver Band from this time. Many of the players were employed on the Oldlands estate. Records of the band, from 1905-1982, are held at the East Sussex Record Office
- Faldingworth Brass Band (Lincolnshire)
- Active between 1908 and 1915
- Falkirk Burgh Band
- Active in 1892
- Falkirk Public Band
- Active in 1933
- Falkirk Trades Band
- Active in the early 1900s
- Falmouth Town Band (1)
- Active in 1912 - headquarters at Rystie & Barber, 3 Waterloo Place. West of England Champions in 1938.
- Falmouth Town Band (2)
- Formed in the 1950's, the band progressed to Championship Standard performing alongside Black Dyke Mills Band at the Royal Albert Hall in 1955. Folded in the 1960s
- Falmouth Town Silver Band
- Formed 1919
- Fareham Excelsior Band
- Active in 1878.
- Farnham Excelsior Band
- Active in 1892
- Farnley Ironworks Band
- Active in 1866. At Winterton Agricultural show in 1903, Farnley Iron Works Band provided the programme of music.
- Farndale Brass Band
- Active in 1859 when it took part in the Lofthouse Grand Village Band Contest in November that year. It was conducted by Mr Potter, had 11 performers, and played Lucrezia Borgia by Donizetti and the test piece, Grand Parade March by Jones.
- Farndale Silver Band
- See: Farndale Brass Band
- Farnley Old Band (Yorkshire)
- Farnley Temperance Band (Yorkshire)
- Farningham Brass Band
- Farningham Home For Little Boys Band (Kent)
- Band run at an orphanage in Farningham
- Farnworth and Kearsley Silver Prize Band
- Farnworth Amateur Band
- Active in 1883 when they competed in the 1883 Belle Vue contest, coming third.
- Farnworth New Brass Band
- Active in the 1910s and 1920s
- Farnworth Old Band (Lancashire)
- Formed in 1848 by Thomas Barnes, a mill owner, and was still active into the 1930s
- Farnworth Old (Barnes') Band
- See: Farnworth Old Band
- Farnworth Old Band
- Formed in 1848 by Thomas Barnes, a mill owner, originally known as Band of the Farnworth Cotton Mills, later as Barnes' Band, Tapps Rifles' Band (c.1860), Farnworth Old (Barnes') Band, Farnworth Old Band, West Lancs Home Guard Band (during WW2), and Farnworth Old Band (to 1990) when it merged with Eaton (Truck Components) Band to form Eaton Farnworth Brass Band. For a full history of the band see: Walker, Matthew - The History of Farnworth & Walkden Brass Band - 2004
- Farnworth Temperance Band
- Active in 1894 when, under the Conductorship of Mr J Crossley, on September 1st, they "discoursed the following programme before a highly appreciative assemblage of the Public: March - The Battle and the Breeze (Wadson); Lancers - Merry and Wise (Harris); Fantasia - Pride of Ireland (Round); Valse - Valley of Ferns (Round); Anthem - Jerusalem my glorious Home (Mason)."
- Farsley Old Band (Yorkshire)
- Fartown Brass Band (Leeds)
- Formed in 1876
- Featherstone Silver Band
- Active in the 1930s/40s
- Featherstone Subscription Band
- See: Featherstone Silver Band
- Fechney School Band (Perth)
- The Fechney Industrial School for Boys had a brass band in the late 1800s
- Felindre Band
- Felling Chemical Works Band
- Active in the 1870s
- Felling Colliery Band
- Active between 1904 and 1920
- Felling Town Silver Band
- Merged with Heworth Colliery Band at some point
- Felling Temperance Band
- Active in 1898
- Felton Brass Band
- Active in 1887, when it organised a duet contest.
- Feock Brass Band (Carrick, Cornwall)
- Not a long history, they were known to be functional from 1882 to 1914. In the 1887 period they were conducted by John Chegwyn. After World War 1 they found that they were unable to continue, so they sold their instruments to Bleak House Band.
- Fergushill Brass Band (Ayrshire)
- Active in 1879, when 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. One member of the Fergushill Band was John Murphy. He was unmarried and lived with his father at 152 Five Roads. He was employed by Greig's, a building company, and died in 1916, aged 41, in France.
- Ferndale Prize Brass Band (South Wales)
- Formed in 1881. Was associated with the Ferndale Colliery by 1895, and may have been so from the beginning. Its forerunner was the Blue Ribbon Band which used the Rhondda Hotel as it's headquarters. In 1894 it came second in a brass band contest at Porth, conducted by Mr James Ryan. It was conducted by a Mr Powell in 1898. Their bandroom code of conduct included "You must be gentlemanly, civil and courteous". In 1927 Mr T M Powell led the band to success in at least one contest. It was still playing in 1948.
- Ferndale and Blaenllechau Workmen's Band (South Wales)
- Records held in the University of Wales (Swansea) include: Minutes 1923-1927; agreement 1927; note of payments to band members
- Ferndown Brass Band (Wimborne)
- Was active in 1903
- Fernmount Brass Band (Australia)
- Was active in 1902
- Ferntree Gully Band (Australia)
- Folded prior to 1962 when its instruments and some ex-members formed the Croydon Brass Band with others from Lillydale Band
- Ferodo Works Band (Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire)
- Formed in 1951 at the behest of the management of the local Ferodo factory in Chapel-en-le-Firth. The founding members included the conductor Frank Moss (also conductor of the Chapel-en-le-Firth Band), Jack Allcock, Sam Allcock, Charlie Brindley, Bernard Bygrave, Solomon Clayton, Bill Fletcher, Alf Garlic, Jimmy Gregson, Harold Hill, Ted Holland, Jack Holmes, Jim Hulley, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Mycock, Jack Osborne, Walter Pearson, Norman Ringham and Alf Sellars. George Hespe, formerly of Sheffield Transport Band, became musical director in 1953 and led the band to victory at the British Open in 1955. The band folded in 1958 following the withdrawal of support from Ferodo.
Tim Mutum recorded:
An entrepreneur with the rather spectacular name of Herbert Frood formed the Ferodo Company in 1897. In need of a catchy brand name to move the company forward he rearranged the letters of his surname to coin the word 'Ferodo' and soon set about building his company organisation in Chapel-en-le-Frith in the Peak District of Derbyshire, by inventing everything from asbestos brake pads to the first bullet proof clothing. In 1951, at the behest of the management at the factory, a band was established - the Ferodo Works Band. The late Bill Skelton, one of the best horn players of his day, and who first went to Belle Vue in 1927, was one of the 'name' players in the band. He later said it was one of the happiest bands he played with. The company offered generous retainers and therefore attracted good players. In addition to Skelton, two former Black Dyke principals, Willie Lang and Bernard Bygraves joined the ranks, and Ferodo made its contest debut in Nottingham in 1952 under the direction of Fred Mortimer. That the management wanted the band to succeed became apparent with the appointment of George Hespe as Musical Director in 1953. Hespe was aged 53 at the time, and had served in the Army as band boy and bandmaster between 1914 and 1933. He then turned his hand to conducting brass bands and for a time he also played tuba in the BBC Northern and Hallé orchestras. Hespe's compositions included the march, 'Kinderscout', the trombone solo 'Melodie et Caprice' (sometimes anglicised to 'Melody and Caprice') and, most notably, the suite, 'The Three Musketeers', adopted as the test piece for the Belle Vue Championship in 1953. His impact was immediate - the band winning the Leicester Band Festival on Easter Monday. Bill Skelton recalled his impressions of Hespe: "He was a marvellous, considerate man with the welfare of all his bandsmen at heart. Everything was perfection. We were the busiest band in the country. When we toured the accommodation was all first class. It was a young band - I was one of the oldest in it - and we were very adaptable, we could play anything. Ferodo's contesting victories at the highest level were spectacular given the short life of the band itself. The band came 3rd at the Grand Shield in 1953, and went on to come runner up at the British Open the following year. The band qualified for the National Finals in 1954 too (after coming runner up at the Midland Regional) - coming 6th off the number 2 draw on 'Sovereign Heritage'. It was their only appearance at London. The startling success of their Open victory of 1955 seemingly heralded a new major contesting force, as in 1956 they added the prestigious Edinburgh Festival title. That was the high water mark though - fourth place at Belle Vue later that year was followed by their last appearance in Manchester in 1957 when they came out of the prizes. They were never seen at the contest again, although their winning performance of 1955 was later recorded. There is one other small story to relate about Ferodo's. Again it comes from Bill Skelton, who told of the night Mr Hespe couldn't make a rehearsal. "Young Elgar Howarth turned up. He was what you might call a whizz kid. I remember he asked me if I could give him a bit more - I always reckoned I had a big tone, you know, and he wanted more, so I really let rip. Startled the life out of him it did. The year was 1957. A year later the company disbanded the band for what was termed 'economic reasons'. The company had worked out that in seven years they had spent £70,000 more than the band had earned.
- Ferry Hill and Dean Bank Band
- Active between 1907 and 1935
- Ferry Hill Temperance Band
- Active between 1907 and 1911
- Festiniog Silver Band
- Active in 1928 and 1933
- Ffynnongroyw Band
- Filey Brass Band
- Active in 1905, when the leader was Ellis Wood, of 8 Victoria Avenue
- Filey Prize Silver Band
- Active in the 1970s and folded by about 1979. Its remaining members helped to form the Dennis Bayley Hunmanby and District Silver Band in 1979.
- Finchdean Band ( Hampshire)
- Active in 1911
- Finchley Brass Band
- Active in 1891
- Finedon Old Prize Band
- Played as part of the celebrations for the visit to Northampton of His Majesty King George V and Her Majesty Queen Mary on Tuesday the 23rd September 1913 - at Victoria Park and Bath Street Recreation Ground. Won the Grand Shield in 1957.
- Finedon Temperance Band
- Active in 1908
- Fingringhoe Brass Band
- Active in the early 1900s
- Finstock Brass Band (Oxfordshire)
- Played at Cornbury Park on 7 April 1888
- Firbeck Colliery (Ambulance) Band (Rotherham)
- Firs Lane Band (Manchester)
- Competed in a contest in Leigh in 1884, organised by St.Joseph's Brass Band, at which they gave a "very poor performance". They were one of the bands that played at the opening of Leigh Town Hall in 1907. In August 1910 Mr.Holden gave permission for Firs Lane Band to give a concert on the Fair Ground in Twist Lane.
- Fishponds Argyle Band (Bristol)
- Active in 1933, when it took part in a festival of brass bands at the Colston Hall, Bristol.
- Fishponds Brass Band
- Active in 1904
- Flackwell Heath Silver Band
- Active in 1925
- Flamborough United Brass Band
- Founded around the 1890s (perhaps when the old Artillery Band ceased to function), and it was certainly in existence in 1908, a time when Flamborough still had to rely on itself for most things including amusement and recreation. The new band was to have a life, with interruptions, of half a century or more and early members included Matthew Major, Mark Major senior and junior, Tanton Fell, Harold Marshall Jack Cowling (who with Matt. Bailey was among the first conductors), and G. Waud, not to mention Tom Woodhouse senior, an obvious choice for the bass drum being, I understand, built on even more massive lines than his famous son. Like its predecessor the band practised in the old Drill Hall (now Smith's Coal Depot), and it soon began to make itself useful in village concerts, socials, processions etc. It had its ups and downs of course even from the beginning, finance being always a problem for it had no wealthy patrons and so had to make its own way. Instruments and uniforms were a heavy charge on the funds and the minute books record a long succession of dances, concerts, and jumble sales held to raise money. More than once major items had to be bought on the instalment plan, and it must have been a happy moment when, at the Annual General Meeting in 1939, the treasurer, Mr. H. C. Marshall was able to report a balance in hand of over £10. Unfortunately he was obliged to announce his resignation at the same time owing to the nature of his work which would take him away from the village in the near future. A sad blow this, as Mr. Marshall had served the band well both as treasurer and player over a number of years. It was the custom, as another way of raising funds, for the band to tour the village at Christmas time, and the records refer to the purchase of music suitable for this purpose. Later it was decided to install electric light in the practice room, "provided that the owner of the building, Mr. Smith, had no objection and that payment could be made at the rate of 8d. per unit, all the members agreeing to contribute a penny per week to meet the cost.
- Fleet Prize Band
- Active in the 1900s
- Fleets Colliery Band
- Fleggburgh Brass (Norfolk)
- Formed in 1991, renamed Norfolk Broads Brass in 1996. By 2001 it had amalgamated with its sister organisation, the Norfolk Broads Wind Band, to form the current Norfolk Broads Concert Band.
- Fletching Village Brass Band (Sussex)
- Formed c.1886
- Fletton Victoria Prize Band
- See: Old Fletton Victoria Prize Band
- Flint British Legion Band
- Active in 1948
- Flint Town Silver Band
- Active in the 1960s/70s
- Flixton Brass Band
- See: Flixton Volunteer Band
- Flixton Volunteer Band
- Formed in 1877, known as Flixton Brass Band from 1908, disbanded in 1933. Successor band formed in 1967.
- Flockton United Brass Band (Wakefield)
- Originally formed as a brass and reed band in 1838 and known as Flockton United. Reeds were dropped around 1878 and the band became brass only. It celebrated its centenary in 1938 but disbanded soon afterwards.
- Flockton United Prize Band
- See: Flockton United Brass Band
- Fochriw Brass Band (near Merthyr Tydfil)
- [Source: Ifor Coggan] - The first mention of Fochriw Brass Band was in Merthyr Express newspaper cuttings of 1887 when it was advised that, on 20 August 1887, the Fochriw Brass Band led the Fochriw Church Sunday School procession and played very well considering that they had only been practicing for 12 months. Therefore it may be assumed that it was formed in 1886. As a child in the 1950's I can recall the band coming around the streets of Fochriw on a Christmas Day and being told that after its disbandment, the instruments were kept under the New Hall stage. The newspaper reports are from 1887 to 1904 and it would appear that many honours such as 1sts and 2nds and gold and silver places were won by the band at eisteddfodau across the length and breadth of Wales.
July 1893 - South Wales and Monmouthshire Brass Band Association, 3rd Annual Contest, Penydarren Park, Merthyr Tydfil - 2nd prize in second of two sections.
1894 - Caerphilly - Chief prize
1894 - Bridgend Eisteddfod (16 bands competing) - 2nd prize and Silver Medal
1895 - Welshpool Eisteddfod - 2nd prize in the selection section
1896 - Merthyr Tydfil - 1st in the selection section, shared 1st in the march. Report: "During last 2 months band had won 7 prizes - 6 firsts"
26 August 1899 - Machen - 1st in marching section, 3rd in selection section
30 August 1902 - At the Dowlais Miner's Federation Demonstration, led by Keir Hardie MP, the Fochriw Band led the procession. The Demonstration was about the struggle over the sliding scale and 8 hour day for miners.
25 April 1903 - Abergavenny and East Monmouthshire Competition (9 bands competing) - 3rd in first section, 4th in second section
3 October 1903 - Report on year's performance to date. Prizes at: Cardiff, Abergavenny (2), Senghenydd, Rhymney, Pentre, Mountain Ash, New Tredegar (2), Merthyr Vale, Pontlottyn and Caerphilly. Although a class C band, they had taken prizes in all A, B and C classes.
Mr David Phillips of Pontlottyn was the bandmaster in November 1887; Mr Dawson conducted the band at Machen on 26 August 1899; In March 1903 the conductor was Mr William Powell when the band was practicing for the forthcoming Abergavenny and Senghenydd contests.
From the Merthyr Express, 26 March 1904, Presentation: Through the departure of Mr. David Jones for Rhymney, the Fochriw Brass Band has lost a most capable secretary. About two years ago, the Band was on the point of being disbanded. Then Mr. Jones was prevailed upon to undertake the duties of secretary, and so ably did he discharge his work that band was again, in a very short time, on a sound basis. Indeed, more contests were attended during the season, than in many other similar periods of the band's existence, and the numerous prizes captured have placed the band once more in an honourable position. A few weeks ago, a presentation committee was formed with Mr. Charles Payne as chairman, Mr. Daniel Jenkins as treasurer, and Mr. J. Pugh as secretary. On Friday evening last, a smoker was held, at which Mr. Jones was made the recipient of a handsome marble clock supplied by Messrs. Mappin and Webb. It bore the following inscription: "Presented to Mr. David Jones by the committee and members of the Fochriw Brass Band for services rendered as secretary, March 18th, 1904." The chair was taken by Mr. J. H. Jones, M.E., the genial president of the band. After a rousing song by Mr. Charles Payne, Councillor Thomas, in the course of an able speech, attributed the success of the past season largely to the interest taken in his work by the secretary. Two capital songs having been rendered by Messrs. W. S. Williams and T. Davies, the chairman, in a witty speech, made the presentation. Mr Jones suitably responded. Mr. W. J. Powell, the popular conductor, then spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr. Jones' services, and he was followed by Councillor Jones. A splendid programme of songs was now contributed to by Messrs. T. Shankland, J. Payne, J. Edwards, D. Jones, and W. S. Williams, whilst stirring speeches were delivered by Messrs. H. Evans, Brook House, and T. Roberts. Among the former officials of the band present were Messrs. James Evans, Howell Thomas and Jacob Jones. After the usual votes of thanks, a very enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the singing of "He's a jolly good fellow."
In August 1920 the conductor was Mr Hanney, and in June 1921 Mr Albert Mantle. The band briefly disbanded between 1928 and 1931, when it was reformed by Albert Mantle as Fochriw Silver Band. New silver instruments were purchased in 1932, followed by new uniforms in 1934 - A concert was held at the New Hall on Sunday evening under the auspices of the Fochriw Silver Band. The bandsmen appeared in their new uniforms. The chairman was Mr. Willie Adams Jones. The Band, under their conductor Mr. Albert Mantle, played the following selections: "The Typhoon," "Dawn of Spring," "Country Life," "Echoes of Spring," "Royal Artillery," "Eventide." The band was assisted by Mrs. Marjory Humphreys, Pontlottyn, soprano; Mr. James John Lewis, Fochriw, tenor; Miss Megan Jones, Pontlottyn, elocutionist; accompanist, Mr. Thomas Walters. . After surviving through WW2, band had disbanded once again by 1951, and although they briefly reformed for the Festival of Britain celebrations, they seem to have finally disbanded shortly after 1953.
See the Fochriw History website.
See also the following pictures, courtesty of Ifor Coggan and "Fochriw in Pictures Vols 1 & 2" by Peter Price::
phot3744.jpg, phot3745.jpg and phot3746.jpg
- Fochriw Silver Band
- See: Fochriw Brass Band
- Foleshill Excelsior Brass Band (Coventry)
- Active in 1912, rehearsed at Lockhurst Lane Assembly Rooms - J.P. Cantrill, bandmaster.
- Folkestone Silver Band
- Footscray City Band (Melbourne, Australia)
- Merged with the Kingsville-Yarraville Citizens Band in 1961 to form the current Footscray-Yarraville City Band.
- Footscray Municipal Band (Melbourne, Australia)
- Founded around 1902, later known as the Footscray Municipal Military Band.
- Footscray Municipal Military Band. (Melbourne, Australia)
- See Footscray Municipal Band.
- Footscray Temperance Band (Melbourne, Australia)
- See Belgravia Brass Band
- Fordham Band (Cambridgeshire)
- Active between 1886 and 1896
- Fords Band (Dagenham, Essex)
- Forest Gate Brass Band (Cornwall)
- This is the band refered to in the Illogen Band report above that entered a Redruth Contest. My first reference to this band is 1862. Later in the same geographical area was Forest Lane End Brass Band in operation in 1877. Then further reference is made to Illogen Broad Lane Band in 1889. There could have been bandsmen from any of these bands when the Illogen Military band was formed because it is on record that that band was started with men from the area that could already play.
- Forest Lane End Brass Band (Cornwall)
- Active in 1877
- Forest Row Band (East Grinstead)
- Active in 1950
- Forest Vale Ironworks Band (Cinderford)
- Formed before 1869 (see below)
- Forest Vale Wire Works Band (Gloucestershire)
- Formed in the 1880s (see above)
- Formby Brass Band
- Active between the 1920s and 1950s. A successor band was formed in 1978
- Forres Town Band
- Formed prior to 1880, when John McKimmie was Band Master. Still active in 1907 when, under Bandmaster Shelton, played in Roysvale Park with the programme: march, 'In Camp', J. Ord Hume; valse, 'Flora', Haig; selection Scotch songs, E. Morton; barn dance, 'In Old Kentucky', J. Linter; overture, 'The Sentinel', H. Round; Lancers, 'Coronation Gems', E. Newton; march, 'Lochnagar', J.R. Hood.
- Forth Brass Band
- Founded in 1868, disbanded in 1988.
- Foster's, Edward and Sons Band (Halifax)
- Foundry Brass Band (Penwith, Cornwall)
- Engagements for this band can be found in 1885/86. Their first engagement, in 1885, was given an encouraging report in the local press, then in 1886 they played at a regatta in Falmouth, and that seems to be that!
- Four Lanes Brass Band (Kerrier, Cornwall)
- It was in 1888 that Four Lanes Brass Band entered their first contest, under Mr A Bartle. Most of their subsequent contesting was carried out under William F Floyd, their standard being that required of a Section 3 band. The results ranged from 1st to 4th but they were forced to disband in 1924/25. From 1910 to 1913 they managed to organise and run band contests that were reasonably successful.
- Fowey Brass & Reed Band (Restormel, Cornwall)
- This band was formed in 1905 and continued in fits and starts until 1919. They did change to an all brass combination. No contesting. The first conductor was a Mr J Cleaves. A band was formed in 1919 to celebrate the peace, but nothing came of it.
- Fowhope Brass Band (Herefordshire)
- Active around 1895
- Foxhole Brass Band (Restormel, Cornwall)
- Formed about 1896 and kept this title until 1909 when they adopted the name Foxhole Temperance Band. This carried on through to 1920 when they made the slight, but no doubt important change brought about by a slight feeling of hypocrisy, to Foxhole Silver Band. They started contesting in 1908 and whilst never rising above 2nd section, their results were quite impressive. From 1926 it appears that the only Cornish contest they entered was that at Bugle, and their best achievement was in 1934 when they took 2nd in Class B. John Morcom was their first conductor in 1896. He handed over (and stayed on as a player) to William H Juleff, who himself left in 1906 to take over the St Dennis Band. At this point there was a slight hiccup and the band ceased operations until John Morcom helped reform the band in 1908. He stayed in control until 1929 when the duties went to Albert John Morcom who carried on to the band's demise in the early 50's. Instruments and music were loaned to the Cornwall Education Authority then, in 1971, were returned to Foxhole as they now intended to form a new band. Harold Trethewey was the man attempting this resuscitation, but it was only short lived, and the final bell was sounded in 1973.
- Foxhole Silver Band
- See: Foxhole Brass Band
- Foxhole Temperance Band
- See: Foxhole Brass Band
- Fraddon Coronation Band (Restormel, Cornwall)
- Formed in 1910, this band kept its title until 1920 when it became the Fraddon Temperance Band. Its last recorded public appearance was in 1922. During its short lifetime it contested frequently, eleven appearances taking place from 1920 to 1922. The first conductor was A Bullock who was also involved with the Indian Queens Band. Then came William H Juleff who was also principal cornet of the St Dennis Band, and upon his moving on, the next, and last, was W Weedall.
- Fraddon Temperance Band
- See: Fraddon Coronation Band
- Framwellgate Moor Colliery Band (County Durham)
- Active in the early 1900s
- Fulbourn Hospital Band
- Active in the 1880s
- Fowey Town Band
- Active in 1893 - "plays twice a week during the summer months on the esplanade"
- Fownhope Brass Band (Herefordshire)
- Active in 1895
- Foxhill Bank Band
- Active in the 1850s/60s
- Friary Brewery Band
- See: Friary Silver Band
- Friary Silver Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Was the works band of the Friary, Holroyd & Healy's Brewery, from Guildford. If was formed and financed back in 1922 by Friary's then head brewer, J.W. Huxley. He had noticed that there were employees who were lovers of music and with an ability to play. He therefore secured for them a set of second-hand instruments. Realising the popularity of the band and its potential, the directors then bought for the players a new set of silver instruments and new uniforms, and the services of a qualified bandmaster were secured. It soon established itself as a band of quality performances. Along with other works brass bands from up and down the country, the Friary Silver Band featured in regular monthly broadcasts by the BBC. The brewery owners no doubt saw this as some very useful national and, what's more, free advertising! During the summer months the band played regularly in Guildford's Castle Grounds while also providing the music there for Armistice Day services. It could also be seen and heard playing at garden parties at large houses in the area, generally to invited guests in the afternoon and then in the evening local people were invited to come and dance on the lawns. The band also played in London parks. Its best competition result came in 1936 at the National Finals held at the Royal Albert Hall, when it was placed third behind the Black Dyke and Foden bands. The musicians' uniform was navy blue with red and gold trim. For aumber of years the bandmaster was David Aspinall, but in the late 1930s he was "poached" by Ransome & Miles Ball Bearings Ltd, to become bandmaster of their band. It's said that when he left he took some of the Friary Silver Band's best musicians with him. The Second World War was not far off, and when it came the band members went their separate ways and the band disbanded.
- Friskney Brass Band (Lincolnshire)
- Active in the 1920s
- Frittenden Band (Kent)
- Active in the 1860s
- Frome Town Band
- Active in 1970
- Frosterley Band (County Durham)
- Formed in 1898 and still active in 1933
- Fuller Mission Band (Kettering)
- Fulwell Band (Barkingside, Essex)
- Fulwood Brass Band (Sheffield)
- Furniture Industries (Ercols) Works Band (Buckinghamshire)
- Fylde Ex-Servicemens' Liason Band
- Formed in Blackpool around 1946, the first conductor was Henry Irving Mellor. They won several trophies, including one in a contest in Harrogate (c. 1948). H.I.Mellor composed a piece called " The Bandsman" . They played regularly at Blackpool football ground in its good days. H.I.Mellor died in 1948, but the band continued after his death.
- G
- G.K.B. Steel Works Home Guard Band
- Active in 1942
- G.R. Turner Langley Mill Brass Band (Near Heanor, Derbyshire)
- G.U.S. Band
- See G.U.S. Footwear Band
- G.U.S. (Footwear) Band
- Earlier name of the current Travelsphere Holidays Band
- G.W.R. & Paddington Borough Silver Prize Band
- Active in 1910
- G.W.R. Institute Band
- See: Wolverhampton Railway Works Band
- Gainsborough Britannia Works Band
- Active in 1884. Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. c.1950 the Band of Britannia Works, Gainsborough, became the new Lincolnshire champions in the annual brass band contest at Cleethorpes, beating Brigg Town Silver Band, runners-up for the last two years to the Grimsby Band, by four points. Grimsby was unplaced. Other bands taking part were from Cleethorpes, Horncastle, Kirton and Lincoln. It became the Spillers (Gainsborough) Band in the mid-1970s, and won the National Championships (Second section) in 1974.
- Gainsborough Rifles Band
- Active in the 1880s
- Galashiels Band
- Formed around 1846 as a brass and reed band. Its first contest as a brass band was in 1888
- Galston Burgh Band
- Started as a reed band in 1872, promoted by the Gauchalland Coal Company, but within a few years had converted to brass as the Galston Burgh Band. In 1990, it amalgamated with Newmilns Burgh Band and Loudoun Band.
- Garboldisham Boys Brass Band (Norfolk)
- Active in 1945-6
- Garlinge Silver Band (Kent)
- Successor to Garlinge Wesleyan Band and predecessor of Margate Silver Band
- Garlinge Wesleyan Band (Kent)
- Formed in the mid 19th century. Precessor to Garlinge Silver Band and Margate Silver Band. Known as Garlinge Wesleyan Silver Band in 1931
- Garlinge Wesleyan Silver Band (Kent)
- See: Garlinge Wesleyan Band
- Garndiffaith & District Brass Band (Pontypool)
- Active in the early part of the 20th century. Conducted at one time by James Samuel
Griffin Flower, and his son Bert also played in the band. Still Active in 1934
- Garstang Temperance Band (Preston)
- Active in 1839
- Gartsherrie Silver Band (Coatbridge)
- Active in the 1950s, was sponsored by Gartsherrie Ironworks, Coatbridge. Still active in 1964, conducted by J Wardlaw.
- Garw Valley Silver Band
- Competed in the 1964 West of England Regional Championships (4th Section), conducted by W.T. Parker
- Gatebeck Brass Band (Cumbria)
- Active in 1865
- Gateshead Borough Band
- Formed in the 1890s and still active in 1938
- Gateshead British Legion Band
- Active in 1938
- Gateshead L.N.E.R. Band
- Active in 1932
- Gateshead St Paul's Band
- Active between 1898 and 1913
- Gatley Prize Band
- Active in 1911 and 1925
- Gawber Band (Barnsley)
- Active in the 1940s and 1950s
- Gawber Britannia Brass Band
- Active in 1928
- Gawber Temperance Band
- Gawthorpe Britannia Band (Yorkshire)
- Gawthorpe Mills Band
- Active in 1951
- Gellionnen Chapel Brass Band (near Swansea)
- Active in the early 1900s
- Germoe Brass Band (Kerrier, Cornwall)
- Evidence of this band can be found in 1860 playing in Crowlas, then in 1875 in Camborne. So far nothing else can be found about them.
- Gibson's Malton Amateur Brass Band
- Founded in 1877 by John Gibson, of the Malton Rifle Volunteers, lasted until 1884
- Gifford Hall Band
- Active in 1937
- Giggleswick Brass Band
- The band amalgamated with the Settle Brass Band in 1952 to form the Giggleswick & Settle Band. In 1902 the band led the procession for the annual Band of Hope Festival in Long Preston - "The band played lively march music as the gatherers paraded through the village singing about the virtues of temperance." In some reminiscences of Christmas in the Dales there appears the following report - "...Brass bands toured the farms, with the bandsmen growing increasingly unsteady on their legs as they imbibed proffered drinks. The Giggleswick band travelled by train to Clapham station, from where they trudged through snow on a tour of villages and farms. By now, sozzled, they could not hold their instruments, let alone play. Instead, the bandsmen burst into song. Another time, bandsmen sipped hot punch at the Flying Horse Shoe, just across the road from Clapham railway station. Some punch remained when they departed for the one-and-a-half mile walk to the village, so they poured it into a trombone and supped on t'road."
- Gilfach Goch Silver Band
- Active in 1907
- Gill Street Methodist Band (Moston)
- Active in the early 1960s
- Gillingham Boys' Brass Band (Kent)
- Active in 1913 - Henry Allen, bandmaster
- Gillingham Town Band (Dorset)
- Active in 1861, when they were engaged by the Gillingham Total Abstinence Society at a cost of 20 shillings plus tea. The Band was popular at the local Club days when the Friendly Societies, which were usually based at a Pub, held their annual parties called 'Club Days'. The largest one in Gillingham was the 'Red Lion Club.' They held their 'Do' on the second Wednesday in May and it was a tradition that all members planted their runner beans before going out. The Gillingham Town Band played an important part in the proceedings. They started out at the top of Wyke, outside the Brewery at 10am. To open the proceedings, the Brewery brought out beer in wooden buckets. Those that didn't have mugs knelt down on the ground and drank out of the buckets! The Band then led a procession through the town, all the members carrying garlands of flowers. They were expected to play all day, and later for dancing in the evening.
- Glamorgan Artillery Band
- Active in the 1890s
- Glapwell Colliery Band (Chesterfield)
- Active in the 1930s. The colliery closed in 1974.
- Glasgow Blind Asylum Band
- See: Royal Asylum for the Blind Brass Band
- Glasgow City Gospel Brass Band
- Glasgow Corporation Gas Department Band
- See: Glasgow Gas Department Band
- Glasgow Corporation Transport Car Works Band
- See: Glasgow Corporation Transport Silver Band
- Glasgow Corporation Transport Silver Band
- Formed in 1938 as Glasgow Corporation Transport Car Works Band. Still active in 1948
- Glasgow Gas Department Band
- Active in 1928, conducted by John Peckham, and 1933 when it took first place at a contest at Wishaw.
- Glasgow Loco Works Band
- Won first place in a contest held 1 December 1917 at Waverley Market, Edinburgh, in aid of Harry Lauder's Fund for Scottish Sailors and Soldiers.
- Glasshoughton Coke and Chemical Works Band
- Active in 1938
- Glazebury Band (Manchester)
- Competed in a contest in Leigh in 1884. Still active in the 1930s. Performed a concert in Stanley Park, Blackpool in 1932 as Glazebury Prize Band.
- Glazebury Prize Band
- See: Glazebury Band
- Glemsford Brass Band (Suffolk)
- Active in 1893. A report in the Bury Free Press: August 4th 1894, Letters to the Editor - Sir, I have been looking at the bill concerning the Horticultural Show at Glemsford and am surprised to find Haverhill band has been engaged instead of preference to our own band , etc etc. As the matter stands now the money will be given to "foreigners" who neither know or care whether the men are starving or not. Glemsford band is comprised of hard working men, just now most of the men have been working short time and the money which is their lawful right would come as a great boon to them, etc etc. Yours truly, Pro Bono Publico.
Then later in the year: November 24th 1894 - On Friday evening a public tea organized by the Glemsford Band took place at the Plough Inn, Glemsford when about 61 people responded to invitations, after full justice was done to "good things" a "free and easy" meeting took place. 1st item on the programme was an overture entitled "the sleep of Dianna" given by the Band in a pleasing style, Mr Lawrence gave a song "muddled and mixed", Mr Leggett gave "after the fall", G.Crick gave "simple little pimple", David Ward of Foxearth gave the "educated bloke" "Bush Ranger in Ausrtralia" by C. Twinn, a duet by Middleditch and Twinn "old miller", C.Sore "mona, Miss M. Twinn "a soldier minstrel", E. Sore gave "swinging to and fro", the chairman "strolling in the sands" and "mother kissed me", Mr E. Game, "the club house", Mr W. Farrance "e dunno where ee are", Mr Eli Watkinson "when Jone's ale was new", Mr Sore gave "success to the football club". The band played the National Anthem and all dispersed home.
On 19th December 1901, in a letter to her friend Minnie, Emma Savage wrote: The Glemsford band came the other night 10.30 we were all in bed we did not get up - they were so spiteful they banged on the knocker four times Nell barked but we refused to turn out of bed..
- Glengarnock Iron Works Band (Glasgow?)
- Active in 1882.
- Glenrhondda Colliery Band (South Wales)
- Glenrhondda Silver Band
- Active in 1917 and 1955
- Glodwick Band (Lancashire)
- Formed in 1873, dwindled somewhat in the early 1900s, but arose again in 1935 as the Glodwick Prize Band. During this time they became known as the Shamrock Band for a while, following an incident at a St Patrick's Day celebration at the Free Trade Hall together with the Besses o' th' Barn Band, they mistook the shamrock laid on the tables as decoration for water cress and proceeded to eat it, much to everyone's amusement. The Glodwick Band Club was raided by the police in 1949, presumably for drinking after hours, and the band had to sell the instruments to pay the fine. Through a house to house collection and other public subscriptions the band managed to buy back the instruments from Thomas Reynolds & Sons (Manchester) and in recognition changed their name to the Glodwick Public Prize Brass Band in 1950. The band was renamed again in 1955 to become the Lees and Glodwick Band. It amalgamated with the Cobden Chadwick Band (formerly Zion Methodists Band from Lees in Oldham) to form Oldham Brass 97, in 1997.
- Glodwick Prize Band (Oldham)
- See: Glodwick Band
- Glodwick Public Prize Brass Band (Oldham)
- See: Glodwick Band
- Glossop Volunteers Band
- Active in the 1880s
- Gloucester Wagon Works Band
- Formed in the 1860s
- Glynn Vivian Miner's Mission Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Godolphin Teetotal Band (Penwith, Cornwall)
- Records of engagements in the local press can only be found for Helston and Penzance in 1855. It is doubtful that much else was carried out.
- Golberdon Band (Caradon, Cornwall)
- Golberdon - a village North West of Callington boasted a band that is known to have existed from c1860 to c1879. A quote from the Cornish Times of 1862 reads:- "The enlivening strains of the Golberdon Band quite counteracted the weeping humour of the skies." What can one say after that?
- Golcar Band
- Active in the 1870s
- Golcar Subscription Band
- Active in 1939
- Goldthorpe (Ceramia) Band
- See: Yorkshire Main Colliery Band
- Goldthorpe Wesley Hall Silver Band
- Active in 1933
- Gomersal Band (Yorkshire)
- Gomersal Mills Band (Bradford)
- Formed 1942. Competed in the Senior Cup in 1962.
- Gomersal Mills Prize Band
- See: Gomersal Mills Band
- Goodshaw Prize Band
- Formed May 1867
- Goodwick Brass Band (Wales)
- Formed in the early 1900s, disbanded around the start of World War 2. From memories of Dai Miles - "Once upon a time, at the turn of the 20th century, in a small community in West Wales called Goodwick, there was a brass band. This group of stalwarts, many of whom had come to the area from Neyland when the Harbour was built, was in the charge of Mr Lake, the headmaster of the local school. Mr Lake and his brother worked in Emlyn Colliery in Ammanford and he played solo cornet in the Colliery Band. He first came here to work in Puncheston School and then became headmaster of the newly built Goodwick School and either took over, or formed the Band. Practices were held in a corrugated zinc hut at the old laundry cottages (long since gone) in Dyffryn . There was no electricity then and the hut was lit by oil lamps on the walls. If the practice was really good the flames would shoot up high and the euphoniums could easily put all the lamps out! Sometimes they used battery lamps but they cost 4s. 6d. each and 4d. for the batteries so there wasn't too much practice in winter! Mr Lake was a hard taskmaster and he would continually admonish them - "you play like a circus band"! The instruments were old, needed new corks, and "clicked" as they were played. "You're banging your instruments against your buttons again!" - a reference to their uniform, which was the G.W.R. jacket and a white paper band put round the hat. In 1914, when War broke out, the Band held a meeting and decided that those of the right age should join up as a Band. They did this and from Kinwell Park in North Wales they were transferred to France, back from the Front Line, where they were used as escorts. One particular day, it seems, they were having a quiet smoke between duties, when an open car came along with an officer and his driver. "Put your instruments in the car and come with me" the officer said. He gave them each a rifle and marched them away. They were scattered then to different regiments. At home the members left behind continued the practices and the Band re-formed after the War. Dai Miles, an old Band member, the source of all these tales, joined the Band in the 1920's and bought his cornet in a pawn shop in Bute Street, Cardiff for £1. Billy Jeff and Jack Evans did the repair work on the instruments. Vincent Johns was President of the Band. At Christmastime the Bandsmen would love to play outside his house. They would have beer brought out to them whilst Mr Lake would be invited in for a swig of something stronger. Vincent Johns would give £1 or £2 for the Band and would then ask them to play "one more piece and give it some drum"! The Band played everywhere. There were lots of sports and carnivals and there were ox roasts in the football field. One year at the ox roasting, they were raising money for St. Mary's Church Hall, which was being built then and they were paid £24.0.0. Then they played at Lower Town Carnival and Sports and were paid £24.0.0 for that as well! There used to be Carnival and Sports at the top of Stop and Call Hill. The Band would form by the Cunard (the fish & chip shop now) and would march up the hill, and then, despite exhausted lungs, would play for a while at the top. John Clement Bowen played the big drum for a bit. But he wasn't very tall and couldn't see over the top too well. One day they were leading the Carnival up Cambria Square to play there for a while, but John Clement Bowen went down Main Street instead, beating the drum as he went and someone had to run after him and haul him back. Their favourite march was the "Washington Greys" and they knew "The Chieftain" so well they could nearly play it without music! In fact, that was the piece they played the last time they ever marched in Goodwick - and also the piece the present Band played the first time they marched through Goodwick. They were great on dance music. They played waltzes, foxtrots, you name it, for the dances in the drill hall and the dances held on the green by the tennis courts on the Parrog on summer evenings. In 1935 they were practising day and night to get ready for the National Eisteddfod that was coming to Fishguard in 1936. They were to lead the Bards and Druids and Danny Jones, a cornet player, was to play the long trumpet. The snag was, he had to ride a horse whilst playing the trumpet. Llewellyn, the Grocer's horse - of a fearsome reputation - was elected to be the trusty steed! Danny Jones, clad in a green suit and boots and blowing the long trumpet, could not ride a horse and so was very frightened, Lewis Rennish who was leading the horse, in spite of a wide vocabulary and a big stick, could not control the poor terrified creature. "
- Goodwins Silver Band
- See: West Bromwich Borough Band
- Goole Brass Band
- Goole Borough Band
- Goole Times - Friday, September 7, 1951: "With its traditions reaching almost 70 years into the past, Goole Borough Band, facing an uncertain future, is making a determined effort to recapture its past glories and to add more successes to its championship achievements which began in 1903 and ended in 1920 with a list of 45 prizes, 34 medals and four challenge cups." The band was "revived" in 1898, according to a note in the Goole Times of 7th October 1898. It disbanded sometime in the late 1970s early 1980s.
- Gooseye Newsholme Band (Keighley)
- Gordon Institute Band (Liverpool)
- Active in 1887
- Gordon Memorial Home (for Destitute Boys) Brass Band (Nottingham)
- Active from 1898 through 1915. The home was founded in 1885. It supported and trained 45 boys for industrial and other work. The boys were 10-16 years old and wore a uniform.
- Gorebridge and Arniston Band (Midlothian)
- Actrive in 1928, conducted by John Faulds
- Goring Brass Band
- Formed before WW1. As a Division 1 Band, its standard was very high. After the war, the Band re-started in 1925 and played on until 1939, but as war was imminent it proved impossible to carry on.
- Gorleston Silver Band (Great Yarmouth)
- Formed in 1954
- Gornal Wood Excelsior Village Brass Band
- Active in 1930, when it performed at Himley Park in August
- Gorse Hill Prize Band
- Gorseinon Brass Band (Swansea)
- Active in 1948
- Gorton & Openshaw Old Band
- Founded in 1857, still active in 1947
- Gorton & Openshaw Prize Silver Band
- Bill Booth (senior) was solo horn player until his death in 1946. His son, Bill Booth, took over the solo horn until his untimely death in 1948.
- Gorton Silver Band
- Formed in 1857. Folded in the 1990s? and the remainder merged with the Reddish Prize Band
- Gossages Soap Works Band (Widnes)
- Gothenburg Brass Band (Sweden)
- Formed in 1982, disbanded in 2007.
- Govan Burgh Band
- Active in 1933
- Govan Colliery Band (Glasgow)
- Active in 1875
- Graffham Brass Band (Sussex)
- Active in 1907
- Grampound Band (Restormel, Cornwall)
- Known to have accepted engagements from 1875 to 1935 they changed their title after WW1 to Grampound British Legion Band. It does not appear to have attended any contests. The only conductors names discovered are Charles Mannell in 1899 and Percy Hill in 1935.
- Grampound Town Band
- See: Grampound Band
- Grandborough Brass Band
- Grange Iron Works Brass Band (Belmont, Co. Durham)
- One member was Alfred Agincourt Wright, who was presented with a silver cornet by the band inscribed with his name, the band name, and "in recognition of his valuable services rendered to that band". The iron works closed in the 1920s so it is presumed the band folded then.
- Grangepans Brass Band [1] (Bo'ness)
- Folded by the early 1870s, the instruments being sold to the new Armadale Brass Band established in 1873
- Grangepans Brass Band [2] (Bo'ness)
- Formed in 1900
- Grangetown Steelworks Band (Cleveland)
- Active in 1892.
- Grangewood Silver Band
- Active in the 1930s, became known as East Ham Silver Band in the 1940s
- Grantham Gospel Band
- Active in 1905
- Grantham Town Band
- Active in 1947
- Grassmarket Band
- See: City of Edinburgh Band
- Gravel Lane Methodist Band
- Founded in the 1930's by William Bowen M.B.E (The honour was received for his work with poor people.) The band competed at the Crystal Palace in the 1930's and in 1956 won the regional contest and travelled to London to compete in the National Finals. Competed in the Senior Trophy, in 1962, conducted by H. Johnson. They also won several local contests including Buxton and Belle Vue. The band broke up in 1971.
- Gravenhurst Village Band (Bedfordshire)
- Active around 1895
- Gravesend Brass Band
- Active in the mid-1800s
- Gravesend Silver Band
- Active in 1910
- Grays Brass Band (Preston)
- Active in the 1850s and through to the 1890s.
- Grays Temperance Band (Essex)
- Active in 1928. Originally called Grays Temperance Silver Prize Band, was in existence during the 1960s.
- Grays Temperance Silver Prize Band
- See: Grays Temperance Band
- Grayshott Brass Band (Hampshire)
- George Bernard Shaw was one of the founders of the Grayshott Brass Band in 1899 which, the Grayshott Magazine remarked, "could be a decided acquisition." The band continued for some years and regularly performed at the local flower shows, garden parties, Band of Mercy shows and similar events. In a list of the initial subscribers, of whom there
were 40 subscribing a total of £40. 17. 6., Shaw appears as giving £10. Whether this Band ever scaled musical heights may be doubted, since, when four years later land was given for the purpose of building a Village Hall, the donor inserted, perhaps in order to protect owners of adjacent property, a restrictive covenant prohibiting any 'band practice' on the land. In 1904 the band were permitted to play at the new recreation ground at the junction of Headley and Crossways Roads, if they so wished, not more than two evenings in any week. (Thanks to Jo Smith for this information)
- Greasbrough Brass Band (Sheffield)
- Active around 1930
- Great Bentley Band (Essex)
- Active in the 1930s. Bandmaster in 1934/36 was James Naylor and 1937/8 was JW Smith.
- Great Bentley Homeguard Band (Essex)
- Active during WW2
- Great Brickhill Band (Bedfordshire)
- Active in the early 1900s
- Great Bridge Temperance Band (West Bromwich)
- Active in 1866
- Great Central and Metropolitan Band (London)
- When Gladstone Park opened in 1901, brass bands were enjoying a period of great popularity. The group chosen to play at the park was the Great Central and Metropolitan Railwaymen's Band; a joining together of musicians from one-time rival bands. Initially the Local Government Board in Whitehall would not permit the band to be paid, so for some years the musicians were allowed to charge the public for chairs and programmes. Later the rules were changed and the band got a seasonal fee of £35 for the Sunday recitals, which was increased to a £50 when Thursday (early closing) performances were added by 1909. They retained their right to sell programs and charge for chairs. So popular were the concerts that the Council offered little resistance to the band's suggestion that a proper bandstand should be provided. On 28th February 1905 Robson was instructed to prepare a plan and estimates for a covered bandstand, and the next month his costing of £176 was agreed. The resulting rustic thatched structure, which was placed a little to the east of the baths, had all the hallmarks of a Robson special. In 1912 it was insured for £325 against fire. As early as 1910 the Council was considering providing electric lighting to the bandstand but it was not until 1945 that it was agreed that this should go ahead at a cost of £149.
Many special events were supported. In 1911 the band gave a special recital to honour the coronation of George V (for which they were paid £15), a 'massed band concert' was permitted on Sunday 4th June from 3pm to 5pm, and in 1915 they organised dances on one Thursday evening per month during the season. The joint band entered many competitions, such as the annual Crystal Palace contests from 1904 onwards, eventually becoming the 'Great Central and Metropolitan Railwaymen's (Silver) Prize Band'. At the 1923 competition they won second prize. The band were to be regular performers at Gladstone Park until 1920 when they refused the Council’s offer of £50 for Sunday concerts for the season and requested £6 6s per performance. The Council did not agree and engaged the National Union of Railwaymen (Neasden No.1 Branch) Orphan Fund Band in their place. In 1924 the Great Central & Metropolitan Silver Prize band were approached again but stated they were not prepared to do Sunday evening performances as they had a contract with London County Council (possibly for appearing in Queen’s Park). Perhaps they had become too grand. By 1928 the birds had taken most of the thatch off the bandstand. The Council’s Outdoor Committee recommended that it be tiled, as re-thatching costs would be prohibitive.
(Source: A Distant View of Gladstone Park and Dollis Hill House, 2002, by Juliette Soester & Cliff Wadsworth. Thanks to Cliff Wadsworth)
- Great Central and Metropolitan Railwaymen's (Silver) Prize Band
- See: Great Central and Metropolitan Band
- Great Clifton Prize Band (Workington?)
- Great Easton Coronation Brass Band (Leicestershire)
- Active in 1908/1916 - W.F. Haddon bandmaster & secretary.
- Great Harwood Temperance Band
- Great Holland Brass Band
- Active in the early 1900s. Renamed Kirkby Cross & Great Holland Brass Band a little later. For more details, see Grandad Played The Cornet: A History of Brass Bands in North East Essex, by David Cawdell.
- Great Horkesley Band
- Active in the late 1800s, but did not reform after the Great War.
- Great Horton Band (Bradford)
- Formed in 1877 and, over the next 10 years, attended 40 contests winning 30 prizes, value £300. Conducted by G.F. Birkenshaw at the Barnoldswick Contest in 1886
- Great Massingham Silver Band (Norfolk)
- Active in the early 1900s, when they were invited to play at Sandringham by the king
after he heard them playing in Kings Lynn.
- Great Northern Loco Band (Doncaster)
- Reported playing tunes around Doncaster at Christmas time in 1852 in a "very neat uniform". See: Doncaster Loco Band
- Great Northern Railway Plant Works Band
- Also known as the Doncaster Plant Works Band. Formed in 1856 and conducted by George Birkinshaw (father of the famous Black Dyke cornet player and celebrated by William Rimmer's march Viva Birkinshaw!). Its original composition was two sopranos, six cornopeans, two tenor horns, one baritone, three trombones, two ophicleides, one Eb bass bombardon, and percussion. The band won many prizes between 1859 and 1861 and played many arrangements and compositions of marches and waltzes by Birkinshaw. Including 3rd prize at Lincoln on 6 June 1859, and 1st prize, gaining £15, at Peterborough on 5 September 1859 (where the bandsmen had to "defend themselves physically against disappointed rivals afterwards!), and 2nd prize at the contest at the Botanical Gardens in Sheffield in 1860. Renamed Doncaster Volunteer Band in 1859. Birkinshaw introduced his own brass band compositions in concerts given out of doors in the town: Festive Polka, Rouse Polka, the galop Spring Flowers, Pas Redouble, at least one march, a cornet trio and an arrangement for three cornets of "Lift Thine Eyes" from Elijah. In one 1859 Doncaster concert Birkinshaw conducted Jullien's Mary Ann Polka and French Quadrille. Birkinshaw left the band in 1865, but it continued successfully under the batons of J Redfern, S Wilson and Mr Salmon, until it disbanded when the Volunteers were absorbed into the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Regiment in 1908.
- Great Western Colliery Band (Hopkinstown)
- Active in 1920
- Great Western Railway (Swindon) Band
- See:
- Great Western Railway (Swindon) Band
- The Musical Times in 1847 stated "In the large workshops of the Great Western Railway, at Swindon, a number of these men have combined to make a most excellent orchestra, seconded by the liberality and encouragement which seems to pervade the Company's arrangement at this village, for the benefit, improvement and amusement of their workmen." It was still active in 1893, but had folded by the early 1900s when a later Swindon band arose, also to be associated with the railway.
- Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Band
- Active in 1957
- Green's Dye Works Band (Leeds)
- Active in 1872
- Greenbank Band (Liskeard)
- Formed in 1886
- Greenbank Band (Caradon, Cornwall)
- Formed around 1885, Greenbank Band carried on until c1900 when they disbanded to help form the Liskeard Borough Band. The only known conductor was John Mitchell.
- Greengates Band (Yorkshire)
- Greenhalgh's Band
- Active in 1872
- Greenhow Hill Victoria Band
- Formed in the 1860s. Used to play in the Greenhow Chapel. When the Chapel got an organ, they could not play, which caused a great deal of trouble. The band was thought to be very good and was much sought after on festive occasions in the area. There were 17 in the band: Joe Mackwell (1st Cornet), John Green (2nd Cornet), Ann Green (Bass), Thomas Blackah (Bass Instrument), Richard Blackah (A horn going right round his body), Jossie Blackah (Bass Instrument), Maw Simpson (Single Bass), Will Green (Big Drum), Thomas Wilkinson Marshall (Little Drum), R Mackwell (A round instrument), Duncan Mackwell (1st Fiddle), Jackie Green (Double Bass), ? (Trombone), 4 others (String Instruments). Nathaniel Grainge ('Natty wey t'stick') was also in the band according to another source. (Source: Greenhow Family History)
- Greenock Thistle Brass Band
- See: 1st Renfrew and Dumbarton Artillery Volunteers Band
- Greensplat Band (Restormel, Cornwall)
- Formed in 1913, the circumstances of WW1 interfered somewhat, and the band experienced problems with repayments on the instrument loan and so had to cease activities. Immediately after that little European disagreement was resolved they restarted their band life, which carried on until about 1935. Situated just outside the village of Bugle, for Greensplat bandsmen, contesting was an important activity from 1919 until 1930. R Hancock led the band from its inception to 1920. It is not known, at present, who was resident conductor from this point on but they did continue to contest, once under EJ Williams (sen) three times under a J Bassett (perhaps by coincidence, there was a J Bassett horn player who had finished playing with Foxhole Band - was this the same man?), and a couple of times by a G Attwood but in 1926 Charles H Baker became professional adviser to them, continuing for the next four years, after which Len Manhire took over until their demise.
- Greenway Moor Band
- Active in the 1930s to 1960s. Competed in the Senior Cup in 1962.
- Greenway Moor Prize Band
- See: Greenway Moor Band
- Greetland and West Vale Band (Yorkshire)
- Gresford Colliery Silver Band (Wrexham)
- Active in 1933
- Gresham Brass Band (Surrey)
- Active in the early 1900s, based in Old Woking, at the printing works of Unwin Brothers. They are known to have played at events in Send village and it is likely that some of the players lived in Send in houses built by the company. There seem to have been about 18 players. There is an archive of Unwin Brothers at the Surrey History Centre in Woking which may have some further information.
- Gresham Press Brass Band
- See: Gresham Brass Band
- Griff Colliery Band (Nuneaton)
- Active in the 1930s
- Grimesthorpe Prize Band (Sheffield)
- Active in 1905/06 when it won the Local Challenge Cup.
- Grimsby Brass Band (Lincolnshire)
- Originally formed with pupils of the old Harold Street school together with more experienced musicians.
- Grindleton Brass Band
- Active before WW1, but found itself short of players between the wars and amalgamated with Slaidburn Band, retaining the Slaidburn name. Slaidburn's instruments were used, but Grindleton provided the majority of players.
- Groves Mission Band (York)
- Active since at least 1889, it disbanded in 1903 and members joined the new Rowntrees Cocoa Works Band
- Grundisburgh Brass Band
- Active around 1900
- Guisborough Brass Band
- Active in 1859 when it took part in the Lofthouse Grand Village Band Contest in November that year. It was conducted by Mr Bannister, had 12 performers, and played Il Trovatore by Verdi. and the test piece, Grand Parade March by Jones.
- Guisborough Priory Prize Silver Band
- Formed in 1902 and still active in 1920
- Guisborough Volunteer Band
- Active in 1900
- Guiseley Band
- Competed in the Junior Cup in 1962, conducted by R. Stevenson.
- Gunnerslake British Legion Band
- See: Gunnerslake Temperance Band
- Gunnerslake Silver Band
- See: Gunnerslake Temperance Band
- Gunnerslake Temperance Band (North Cornwall)
- Formed about 1898, they quietly carried on with the usual engagements of the time, and after World War 1 became Gunnerslake British Legion Band, and later the Gunnerslake Silver Band. They were a non-contesting outfit. All that can be discovered regards conductors was that in 1937 Mr C Trewin finished and Mr W Westlake took over. It must have been soon after this that they folded up as I can find no more references to them after 1937. Also in the town of Gunnerslake was a Salvation Army Corps, complete with a band that carried out "outside" engagements at least in 1930.
- Gunton Hall Silver Band
- Gwaenydd Silver Band
- Active in 1887
- Gwennap Band
- Truro City Band had disbanded in 1969 so was it a coincidence that the Gwennap Band, who were only five miles from Truro, started up at that same time, albeir under a different conductor? This was Rex Little who stayed with them until 1975 when they became the basis for a new Truro band. Rex Little stayed with this new band for about thirteen years.
- Gwernaffield Brass Band
- Active in 1899 and sporadically through the first half of the 20th century. A permanent successor band was formed in 1971 (Gwernaffield Silver Band)
- H
- H. Stevenson's Works Silver Band
- See: Hugh Stevenson & Sons Band
- Habershon Silver Band
- Active in the 1960s/70s
- Haddenham Silver Band
- Active in 1905 and the 1970s
- Hadleigh Town Band (Suffolk)
- Active in 1958
- Hafod Welfare Band (North Wales)
- Active in 1958
- Haggate Band
- See: Briercliffe Prize Brass Band
- Haggerston Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Haigh Band (Barnsley)
- Haigh Band (Lancashire)
- Formed in 1843, one of the first to use all brass instruments.
- Haigh (Aspull) Band (Lancashire)
- Competed in the First Annual Brass Band Contest organised by Wigan Borough Prize Band in 1943 (conducted by J. Mather).
- Haigh Prize Band
- See: Haigh Band
- Hailsham Brass Band
- See: Hailsham Town Band
- Hailsham Town Band
- Founded in 1901 and in 1948 amalgamated with the British Legion (Hailsham Branch) Band. Records of the band, from 1901-48, are held at the East Sussex Record Office. 1905/1911/1915 the secretary was George G. Guy
- Hale End Xylonite Works Band (Hackney, London)
- Active in the 1920s
- Halesowen Town Prize Band
- Active in 1899
- Halesowen Town Volunteer Prize Band
- Active in 1898
- Haley Hill Band
- See: Haley Hill Sax Horn Band
- Haley Hill Sax Horn Band (Yorkshire)
- Active in August 1859 when they played at the annual exhibition of the Haley Hill & New Town Allotment Gardeners' Society
- Halifax and District Brass Band
- Records of the band, from 1951-61, are held at the West Yorkshire Archive Service, Calderdale
- Halifax Band of Hope Brass Band
- See: Halifax Victoria Band
- Halifax Borough Band (Yorkshire)
- Halifax Brass Band
- Active in the 1860s. Won the British Open in 1860 and 1861, conducted by J. Dewhurst and competed again in 1864.
- Halifax Citadel Band
- Active in 1918
- Halifax Home Guard Band
- Competed in the 1944 British Open contest.
- Halifax Main Brass Band
- Halifax Rink Brass Band
- Halifax Temperance Band
- Halifax Victoria Band
- Originally the Halifax Band of Hope Brass Band
- Halkyn Brass Band (Flintshire)
- Hallas City Brass Band (Australia)
- See: Marong (Hopetoun) Municipal Band
- Hallelujah Crusaders Band (Kent)
- Active in 1922
- Hallelujah Mission Band (Motherwell)
- Halliwell Band (Bolton)
- See: Halliwell Prize Brass Band
- Halliwell Prize Brass Band (Bolton)
- Formed in 1859, they originally took the name Jubilee Band, owing to their membership being from St Peter's Jubilee Sunday School. Some time before 1870 the band severed its ties with St Peter's and took the name Halliwell Band, in 1873 they played at the opening of the Town Hall.Halliwell Band disbanded during the First World War as 22 members signed up! Two were killed and three gained the DCM. A record that they were very proud of Sir Knowles Edge JP was a great supporter of the band in the early part of the last century.
Evening News, July 21, 1904 - The attendance at the weekly band performance in Queen's Park, Bolton, on Wednesday evening did not reach its usual dimensions. The Halliwell Prize Brass Band occupied the kiosk and the programme was gone through with great credit to themselves. A melancholy interest was attached to the performance owing to the death of Bandmaster Range, late musical director of the concerts, and out of respect to the deceased's memory the band played the Dead March.
Jack Wilson, who lived in Bolton from 1936 to 1951, said, "My Dad was conductor of Halliwell Prize Band, and worked until the war at Crossleys, who I believe made ropes and cables. Old man Crossley was chairman of the band, and when the war started most of the players were called up, and Dad went on munitions. The band never really recovered."
[The following material is courtesy of Halliwell Local History Society]
The band played at church and chapel walking days, Field Days, Garden Parties, Rose Queens and for Christmas Carols. In Bolton there were the Trinity Sunday Walks of the Roman Catholics, the May Day parade of carthorses from the brewers and carriers, and that feast of entertainment the Royal Infirmary Carnival where jazz bands vied with brass bands. The leader in the 1930s was possibly a portly gentleman called Gregory, who lived in Olga Street, and the band met at the Peel Arms on Halliwell Road - whether to practice or drink is not known! At the time it disbanded in the early 1950s it practiced in St Paul's School. Another earlier member of the band was George Kay. He lived at 6 Saturn Street, attended Harvey Street Chapel and worked at Dobson & Barlow. He had three children, one son and two daughters. In February 1917 he enlisted in the North Staffordshire Regiment, sadly he was killed in May 1918, aged 40. The band at some point became the Halliwell Prize Brass Band [before 1904], what prize it won is not known but apparently it was jokingly said to be third prize when there were only three competitors. On Christmas morning they would start playing Hail Smiling Morn at the Ainsworth Arms and travel down Halliwell Road calling at other pubs en route. How far they got before they could no longer play is not recorded. The band latterly was sponsored by Henry Crossley (Packings) Ltd., and it would seem that when the band finished in the early 1950s the uniforms, instruments and music were stored by them, and then sold.
- Halls Oxford Concert Brass
- See: Oxford Concert Brass
- Hall's Ropery Band (Barton, Cumbria)
- Active in the mid 1880's. Very little is known about this ensemble other it was founded by the Ropery company
- Halstead Town Band (Essex)
- Active in 1902 - Richard Francis bandmaster, C.H. Gibbs secretary. 1914 - H.A. Adams bandmaster, H. Laurence secretary.
- Halstead's Brass Band (Preston)
- Active in 1882. Mr Halstead was landlord of the Britannia Inn, Friargate,Preston. The band won first prize in a contest at Barrow on August 7th 1882, winning a handsome silver cup and £7. At various recent competitions if had gained: Ten first prizes, five second prizes, two third prizes, and one fourth prize, amounting to over £300 in money; also seven side drums, three gold and one silver medal, one drum-major's staff, and a silver cup.
- Haltwhistle Old Silver Band (Northumberland)
- Formed in 1898. Disbanded August 2004. In its heyday, Haltwhistle Old Silver Band acted like the proud standard bearer for the town. It stood for musical accomplishment and, perhaps more importantly, community spirit. Some men devoted the whole of their adult lives to the band, meeting for rehearsals three times a week and frequently spending a fourth performing at events throughout the region. They were joined by their brothers and followed by their sons. Meanwhile, their wives concentrated on organising fundraising events to help cover the band's costs. So it is with heavy hearts that the last three members of the band have decided to call it a day. It has existed in name only for many years now, kept going by a hand-full of members who could not imagine life without their regular music sessions. Now the writing is truly on the wall, though, because they have decided to put the old Band Room up for sale. Situated at the bottom of Comb Hill, the building has been home to the band since it sounded its first notes in the mid 1800s. Which is why the last three members * Jonty Bell, Tom Fletcher and Dryden Smith * are determined that the money realised by the sale will provide a lasting legacy in Haltwhistle. They will use it to set up a trust fund, which will be used to foster the musical ambitions of local people. They have requested that Haltwhistle Town Council runs the trust fund, which was unanimously agreed to by councillors during their latest meeting. Along with his fellow councillors, chairman Coun. Alan Sharp paid warm tribute to Jonty for the role he has played in Haltwhistle Old Silver Band for almost 80 years. Jonty was also well known across the district for his leading role in the Singing Waiters over 25 years. "I would just like to thank you on behalf of the town for all the hard work you have put in over the years," said Coun. Sharp. "You were a stalwart of the band. "You have done so much for the town, and I can safely say you are held in high regard for your devotion and commitment. "People have succeeded in bands and singing because of your hard work. "I think the trust will be a good thing for the future of Haltwhistle and for children who are interested in music." Coun. Graham Ridley added: "In the past, the band has done a great deal to bring on youngsters. "A lot of them got their first introduction to music through the band. "If the trust carries on that good work, it will be a good thing for the town. We will all be grateful to you for that." Jonty was just five years old when he was first introduced to band life. "I used to go along with my father * he was the conductor at the time," he said. "The band room was a wreck then. There was flooring in just half the room. "While the band was playing in that half of the room, I used to sit in the other half making pot-pies in the dirt. "I joined the band properly when I was eight years old." Jonty is now 84. His father, who was also called Jonathan, played the euphonium. Jonty played the E-flat bass, while his elder brother, George, played the cornet. It has been Tom Fletcher who has kept the band going in recent years, says Jonty. Known for his skill on the trombone, Tom stepped into the breach when the band needed a conductor. The remaining member of their stalwart group, Dryden, played the double-B bass. "At one time, every village had a band, such as Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill," said Jonty. "The 1950s and 1960s were the heyday for us. "We qualified twice for the national finals of a competition run by the Daily Herald, and we travelled down to London. "We travelled all over the country during those days, and family and friends used to come with us. "We had a terrific social life. It was grand. "In the end, though, the interest in bands just fizzled out," The Band Room will be closed at the end of August (2004)
- Haltwhistle Rifles Band (Northumberland)
- Active in 1902 and 1947
- Haltwhistle Volunteers Band (Northumberland)
- Active in 1904
- Ham and Petersham Brass Band (Surrey)
- Active in 1902
- Ham Mills Works Band
- Active in the early 1900s
- Hambleton Brass Band (Hampshire)
- Active in the 1920s and 1980s
- Hambrook Silver Prize Band (Gloucestershire)
- Active in the early 1900s, also in 1944 when it took part in an open-air service on Frenchay Common. Disbanded before 1974 when some ex-members joined the new Thornbury Band.
- Hamilton Brass Band
- Active in the 1930s
- Hamilton Place Colliery Band (Bothwell)
- Hammersmith Borough Band (London)
- Formed 1927
- Hampstead Prize Silver Band
- Active around 1910
- Hampstead Temperance Band
- Active in 1895
- Hamstead Colliery Band (Birmingham)
- Active in 1894
- Hamsteels Colliery Band (1) (County Durham)
- Formed in the 1890s and still active in 1938.
- Hamsteels Colliery Band (2) (between Langley Park and Cornsay, Durham)
- Formed in 1950, rehearsed in the Drill Hall in Quebec, which had a special room known as the "band room" for the practices. It was, according to one account, still active after the pit closed in 1958. But it probably folded not long after that.
- Hamsterley Colliery Band (near Newcastle)
- Formed in 1898. A newpaper report also has it active in 1896
- Hamworthy Engineering Works Band
- Active in 1970 when they won the Badman Challenge Cup at a Southern Amateur Bands Association contest.
- Handcross Band (Sussex)
- Hanging Heaton Band
- Active in the 1980s
- Hankham and District Brass Band (Sussex)
- Active in the early 1900s. The band met to practise in the school. Sadly the most promising of the young bandsmen left home to seek employment elsewhere, and World War 1 took a heavy toll of the remainder.
- Hanley Excelsior Band
- Active in 1890 and the 1930s
- Hanley Town Band
- Active in 1889
- Hanslope Band (Buckinghamshire)
- Hanwell Band
- Formed in 1891. Later known as Hanwell Town Prize Band, Hanwell Silver Band, Roneo Alcatel Band (mid 1980s), and Roneo Vickers Band. It folded around 2001. Some of the players joined Capital Concert Brass, of West London
- Hanwell Silver Band
- See: Hanwell Band
- Hanwell Town Prize Band
- See: Hanwell Band
- Harborough Amateur Band
- See: Harborough Band
- Harborough Artizans Band
- See: Harborough Band
- Harborough Band
- Formed in October 1862. In the Harborough News of 5 Sep 1863 there is a report of the Harborough Amateur Band beating the Cricket Club (at cricket!). A later Harborough band, still active, was formed in 1897 after this one disbanded sometime in the late 1880s/ early 1890s. Also known as Harborough Artizans Band during this period
- Harborough Volunteers Band
- Active in 1880 - the Volunteers in Market Harborough were formed in April 1880. Probably created from the Harborough Amateur Artizans Band
- Harden Beck Band (Yorkshire)
- Harden Mill Band
- Active in 1855
- Hardwick Colliery Silver Prize Band
- Active in 1928. Hardwick Colliery became Holmewood Colliery after nationalisation.
- Harefield Asbestos Works Band (Middlesex)
- Active in the late 1880s - formed by employees of the United Asbestos Company, which operated in Harefield from 1882.
- Harland & Wolff Liverpool Band
- Active in 1924
- Harlech Band
- Formed in 1845 and disbanded sometime around WW1.
- Harlech Band
- Formed in 1925 and disbanded sometime later. Successor band formed in 1985
- Harlesden Band
- Active in 1937
- Harlow Band (1) (Essex)
- There was a brass band in the village of Harlow, (now Harlow Old Town), in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Contemporary photographs show the members in full uniforms: high collars lots of buttons and complete with flat caps. The band did not survive the Great War.
- Harlow Band (2) (Essex)
- Around 1959-1960, an ex-army musician, Harry Crossley, had the idea of starting a brass band in Harlow. He invited other ex-army musicians with whom he had contacts to form the nucleus of the band (together with local musicians). They in turn were attracted to the prospect of employment at the factories being built in the New Town. Harlow Council provided a grant for a set of silver and blue concert music folders (which are now in the possession of the current Harlow Brass Band). The band began well and for some while performed in and around Harlow. However, it didn't become fully established, probably because of a shortage of new young players to provide continuity and disbanded in the early 1960s
- Harpenden Band
- Active in 1970
- Harpur Hill Silver Prize Band (Buxton)
- Formed before 1900, it finally folded in the early 1960's. Its conductor at that time was Roy Orritt, who took over the baton from his father, Harry Orritt,. Harry was a noteworthy soprano player, before taking up the baton and he returned to the cornet ranks when he handed over to his son. The soprano player by then was Jimmy Bossley. Some players played with more than one band. e.g. Tom Pickford who was the best double bass player in the Peak District and who played with Harpur Hill, his village of domicile and also Dove Holes for many years. He also played with the Harpur Hill Piggery Band. Similarly, Jimmy Bossley also played with the Piggery Band. They were provided with free practice room facilities, as was also Peak Dale Band, by the principal employer in the district, I.C.I. (Lime Division). The grave footstone of Harry Orritt d. 18 March 1955, aged 63, reads: "In memory of Harry Orritt who gave faithful service to Harpur Hill Band for many years. Remembered by past and present officials, player and members"
- Harpur Hill Piggery Band (Derbyshire)
- Was formed in the village of Harpur Hill in 1946, first marching in the Victory parades. It was a "comic" brass band, numbering at its greatest up to 40 musicians, most of whom seemed to have been very talented bandsman from top-section bands, like Fairy's, Ferodo, Cresswell Colliery etc. having retired from full time banding. It was led by Ike Dunn and folded soon after his death in 1951. They played for dancing, gave concerts and marched in a miscellany of parades in Derbyshire, Cheshire & Staffordshire.
- Harpurhey and Moston Public Subscription Band
- See: Harpurhey and Moston Silver Prize Band
- Harpurhey and Moston Silver Prize Band (Manchester)
- Founded as the Harpurhey and Moston Public Subscription Band sometime before 1900. The Bevan name became associated with the Band when Reece Bevan joined in 1905 as a euphonium player. The band disbanded at the outbreak of the 1914 war and was reformed in 1919 by Reece Bevan, who became its leader, bandmaster and Drum Major. It was formed as a private company by 10 members who donated 10 pounds each from their services gratuities to purchase instruments etc.. It had a strict rule that all shareholders must take an active role in the Band either as a player or official. The Band included five of Reece Bevan's sons. In 1930 the Band purchased the bandroom in Factory Lane, Harpurhey. Reece Bevan was Secretary of the Manchester and Districts Amateur Brass Band Association for over 20 years, and was a pioneer of the Brass Bands Association. Reece Bevan lived at 31 Leyland Street, Harpurhey. At the time of his retirement from the band at the age 74, Reece's five sons plus four grandsons were active members of the Band, together with a further 20 members. The band used to march for the local churches at Whit Sunday etc. and play in the Bigart Hole Clough band stand on Sunday evenings. A junior band was formed in 1950. J. Bevan conducted the band in the Senior Trophy contests in the early 1950s. The band finally disbanded in the late 1950's . Bevan playing members were - sons: Harold, Jack, Jim, Bill, Eric, and grandsons: Eric jnr. Clifford, Arthur, ?. Clifford went onto be a member of the Temperance Seven and a Doctor of Music, Eric Jr. was a member of the East Lancashire Regimental Band serving in Germany.
Thanks to Eric Bevan Jr. (Western Australia) for this information.
- Harpurhey Brass Band (Manchester)
- Active in 1906
- Harraby Hill House Brass Band (near Carlisle?)
- The house was originally St Cuthbert's Workhouse, built in 1809. On the creation of the Fusehill Union Workhouse in 1863, Harraby Hill remained for children. The Harraby Hill Workhouse School closed following the 1870 Education Act. By 1901 it was an Industrial School. The band, apparently, was ended by the start of the Great War.
- Harrogate Borough Band
- Formed around 1900 and disbanded in 1939. (For further information see: Original Harrogate Bands)
- Harrogate Silver Prize Band
- See: Harrogate Temperance Band
- Harrogate St John's Ambulance Band
- Harrogate Temperance Band
- At a Town's meeting on 8th June 1888 it was decided to have a free subscription band in Harrogate. The residents of Harrogate subscribed to provide a permanent brass band, appointing J. Sidney Jones, bandmaster of the Leeds Rifles, as its conductor. The band gave its opening concert in the Montpelier Gardens on 16 July 1888. Changed name to Harrogate Silver Prize Band in the 1930s and, after a hiatus during World War 2, finally disbanded in 1956. (For further information see: Original Harrogate Bands)
- Harrogate Volunteer Band
- Harrowbarrow Band (Caradon, Cornwall)
- This band seems to have been in existance between 1906 and 1909. In 1907 they played for a Friendly Society procession at Linkinhorne, then in 1908 they performed at a sale of work in Stokeclimsland and the next day at a Harrowbarrow fund raising event in aid of the local foottball team and band funds. That same evening the band played for dancing. I can find no record of who conducted them and they certainly did not indulge in any contests.
- Hartford Motors Concert Brass Band
- Active in 1988
- Harthill Band (Lanarkshire)
- Formed in 1872
- Harthill Band (Yorkshire)
- On June 3rd 1871 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.
- Hartlepool Borough Band
- See: Hartlepool Temperance Band
- Hartlepool Excelsior Band
- Active in 1870.
- Hartlepool Old Boys Band
- Active in 1921
- Hartlepool Public Prize Band
- Hartlepool Temperance Band
- Formed in 1899, became Hartlepool Borough Band in 1900 and was still active in 1914
- Hartlepool (West) Operatic BandFormed in 1851 and still in existence in the late 1940s
- Hartley Main Colliery BandSee: Dudley Colliery Band
- Harton Colliery Band
- Formed around 1842. Competed in the Morpeth Band Festival in 1873. Folded around 1878. A successor band was formed in 1911 when the colliery adopted the players of the Tyne Dock Temperance Band to form Harton Colliery Band, now currently known as Westoe Band.
- Hartshead Band (Yorkshire)
- Founded in the 1860s. They rehearsed at the Grey Ox Inn.
- Hartshead Moor Band (Yorkshire)
- Harwich and Dovercourt Excelsior Band
- Active in 1883.
- Harwich Church Lads Brigade Band
- Active in 1912
- Harwich Excelsior Band
- Active in 1884.
- Harwich Town Silver Band
- See: Harwich Town Temperance Band
- Harwich Town Temperance Band
- Formed in 1921. Changed its name to Harwich Town Silver Band in 1923, and Harwich Town Band in 1933 (so reed could be included). Did 2 trips to Holland and Belgium in 1935 for Philco Radio Company. Internal problems saw a lot of members leave in 1936 although the Band soldiered on until 1941, when most of its instruments and equipment were lost during an air raid on Harwich.
- Harwood Brass Band (Harwood-in-Teesdale)
- Hasland Prize Silver Band
- "Our village also had a prize silver band and this was linked in a way with our Wesleyan chapel, owing to the fact that the primitives had a 'pipe organ and proper pews' and that the Wesleyans had a harmonium. On the occasion of the Sunday School anniversary, members of the local band would be invited to 'help with the music' and any local violinist, 'cellist, clarinettist etc. would also come along."
- Haslemere Institute Band
- Active in the early 1900s. After losing members in the Great War, it amalgamated with the remaining players of the Haslemere Town Band.
- Haslingden Borough Temperance Band
- See: Haslingden Temperance Band
- Haslingden Borough Prize Band
- See: Haslingden Temperance Band
- Haslingden Temperance Band
- Instituted in April 1884 and began contesting in 1887. In that first year entered 8 contests, winning 6 prizes totalling £52 10s. Later renamed Haslingden Temperance Prize Band, it became Haslingden Borough Prize Band in 1922 and eventually merged with Helmshore Public Prize Band in 1972 to form the current Haslingden and Helmshore Band
- Hastings & St Leonard's Band
- Hastings & St Leonards Gospel Temperance Band
- There is mention in the local papers of them playing at churches and events, but I have yet to trace anything listing the membership, or the coming or going of the band. The local museum has nothing on them. They had certainly ceased to exist well before WW2, long before Sussex Brass came into existence. Among the tenor horn players is my wife's great-grandfather George Jeffery, who also played in the Hastings 1 (later Hastings Citadel) Salvation Army band. Caleb, one of his sons and my wife's great-uncle, was the bandmaster and went to prison when the Salvation Army were persecuted for holding open air services on the beach. If you've seen "Brassed Off" when Pete Postlethwaite is in hospital and the band play outside wearing their miners helmets, Brighton Congress Hall SA band actually cycled out to Lewes and played hymn tunes by the light of carbide cycle lamps outside the prison to keep Caleb's spirits up. He wore his Bandmaster's uniform to prison before he had to change into prison clothing. One of George Jeffery's other sons Tom (my wife's grandfather) was the bandmaster of Hastings 2 (Silverhill) band. I have quite a collection of Hastings SA band photos spanning the years. (Source: Gordon Waters)
- Hastings Borough Band
- Merged with Pevensey Silver Band in 1968 to form Sussex Brass
- Hastings Gas Board Band
- Active in 1867
- Hastings Southern Railway Band
- Active in 1928.
- Hatherleigh Brass Band (Devon)
- Active in the 1880s
- Hatherleigh Methodist Band (Devon)
- Hatherleigh Temperance Band (Devon)
- Active in the 1880s
- Hatherleigh Volunteers Band (Devon)
- Formed around 1860 and disbanded before 1909
- Hathern Brass BandSee: Hathern Foresters Band
- Hathern Foresters Band
- Formed in 1866. Later known as Hathern Brass Band, Hathern Old Brass Band (to 1894) and finally Hathern Old Prize Brass Band. Amalgamated with Hathern Prize Band in 1917 to form the current Hathern Band
- Hathern Old Brass BandSee: Hathern Foresters Band
- Hathern Old Prize Brass BandSee: Hathern Foresters Band
- Hathern Prize Band
- Formed in the 1860s. Hathern Old Prize Brass Band in 1917 to form the current Hathern Band
- Havant Town Band
- Active in the 1930s
- Haverhill Co-operative Silver Band
- Formed in 1920, still active in 1945
- Haverhill Shepherds Brass Band
- Active in 1911, when it played at the Cavendish and Pentlow annual flower show.
- Haverton Hill Silver Band (1) (Stockton)
- Formed in 1898 and folded in the late 1940s/early 1950s
- Haverton Hill Silver Band (2) (Stockton)
- Reformed in 1971 and folded prior to 2000.
- Hawkesbury Upton Harmonic Society Brass Band (Gloucestershire)
- Played at the annual tea party in the village, conducted by Mr J Bickerton, in August 1864
- Hawnby Silver Band (North Yorks)
- Hawthorn Junior Band (Melbourne, Australia)
- The band was formed by the senior Hawthorn Band in the late 1950's and disbanded in the early 1970's. It then reformed in 1990 and gradually disappeared in the latter part of 1998/9. See the Hawthorn Junior Band website.
- Hawthornden Band (Otley)
- Active in the early 1900s. Formed by Mr Henry Dacre.
- Hay Mill Works Band (Birmingham)
- Active in 1880
- Haydon Bridge Silver Band (Northumberland)
- Active in 1984
- Hayes and Harlington Silver Band
- Formed 1929 as Hayes Prize Band. Another source quotes the original name as the Botwell Brotherhood Band. Following the London Borough changes it became Hillingdon Band in 1974. The conductor at one time was Phillip Sparke the composer, they had a few successes and made it into the top section. Later known as Hillingdon Borough Band and then Denham Brass, it merged with the John Laing Hendon Band in 1998 to form the Denham Hendon Brass Band.
- Hayes Prize Band
- See: Hayes and Harlington Silver Band
- Hayes Silver Band
- See: Hayes and Harlington Silver Band
- Haydon Bridge Band (Northumberland)
- Active between the 1890s and 1947
- Hayfield Brass Band [Derbyshire]
- Active around 1900
- Hayle Town Band (Penwith, Cornwall)
- There was a town band in operation in 1858 through to sometime after 1891 when it disappeared. By 1908 there was a reformed town band. This is known as there was a Mr Head, a band cornet player, who took part in a solo contest at Newquay, representing the Truro band, and it would seem that the band was back in business under a Mr M.A.C.Trebilcock, attending to the usual run of Sunday school and Band of Hope tea treats. During the 1914/18 Great War, Hayle Band continued to function despite a "Hayle Military Band" being form by one Harry Robins, a man who was conducting St Agnes and Perranporth bands before and after his sojourn at Hayle. After WW1 they took on the title Hayle Comrades of ther War Band, then Hayle Town Band on then on to Hayle Silver Band. In 1925, John Tanner, who had been conducting the St Ives Band, took over. There was, later, a C Williams conducting and in 1938 the Welshman Beth H David came along. Apart from an appearance in 1912, contests were mainly carried out from 1925 to 1938. During this period one 1st is recorded, their results being mainly placings. WW2 saw the demise of the band and it was not until 1973 that a new band was formed in Hayle. To find out more, they do have their own excellent website on IBEW.
- Haywards Heath Town Prize Band
- Originating from a brass and reed band formed in the 1880s by George Hilton, the Brotherhood Band, it was reformed after WW1, in 1922 as the all-brass Haywards Heath Town Prize Silver Band. The band was renamed Haywards Heath Town Band in 1978. Support fell off over the next few years and the band amalgamated with Burgess Hill Brass Band in 1986 to form the Mid Sussex Brass Band.
- Haywood Borough Band
- Active in 1884
- Hazel Grove Brass Band
- Formed in 1850, played at all the anniversaries in the town during the reign of Queen Victoria. They had a tradition of playing every Christmas Day, for 100 years, at the local Liberal Club. The band represented the same Sunday School in Ashton-under-Lyne at 50 consecutive Whit Marches. In 1950 the band folded, partly due to the closure of a local factory which employed many of the players and also housed the rehearsal venue. Some members joined with the new Mirlees Blackstone Works Band which was formed in 1949. A successor band was formed in 1992
- Hazel Grove Silver Band
- See: Hazel Grove Brass Band
- Hazell Watson & Viney Brass Band
- See: Hazells (Aylesbury) Printing Works Band
- Hazells (Aylesbury) Printing Works Band
- Band of Hazell, Watson & Viney Ltd. (printers and binders, Aylesbury and London). Active in 1909. Performed a broadcast on the National Programme from 6.45 to 7.30, Saturday evening, January 28th 1939. Some notes from Jan Unsworth - "My great grandfather, William Smith, was involved with Hazell's Printing Works Band for 40 years, 16 of those years he was Bandmaster, until his retirement in 1934, he was also an employee of Hazell's for 49 years. During his leadership the Band won many cups and trophies and gained success at leading band competitions. The outstanding achievement was in 1932 when, at Hanwell, they were placed second in the Championship section, and my great grandfather was awarded a gold medal as the best amateur conductor. Music was always the outstanding interest in his life. He had been the bandmaster of the Volunteers' Company Band, and the Bucks Territorials Band and, in the days of the Comrades' Orchestra, he acted as its conductor. His son, Aubrey Smith, my grandfather, was also a very talented man and played many instruments, trumpet, piano, accordian, drums, bugle, cornet, My grandfather also had his own band, Aubrey Smith's Dance Band, and continued playing with Hazell's Printing Works band after my great grandfathers death."
- Hazelmere Band
- Heacham and District Band
- Active in 1938
- Head Wrightson Works Band
- See: Yarm and District Band
- Headington Silver Band (Oxfordshire)
- In August 1928 1,000 miners and their families from Newport, Monmouthshire, came to Oxford, and sailed downstream from Folly Bridge to Sandford Lock, where they disembarked and joined in community singing, supported by the Headington Prize Silver Band.
- Heald's Green Brass Band
- Active in 1890s
- Healey Hall Band (Whitworth, Lancs)
- Became defunct and was wound up in the courts as of 18th June 1884. It amalgamated with the Whitworth Vale Band shortly afterwards. It was connected with the woollen mill in Healey Dell. It played for special services in Healey Church, and for concerts and dances in the grand ballroom of Healey Hall.
- Healey Hall Amateur Brass Band
- See: Healey Hall Band
- Heamoor Brass Band (Penwith, Cornwall)
- Heamoor Brass Band was performing at the usual run of engagements from the 1860's through to about 1935. In 1909 they were conducted by a J C Matthews and in 1934 by H P Richards. They took part in two local contests, one in Camborne and the other at Redruth. At Camborne they played in Section 4 and came 3rd, then at Redruth, conducted by Charles H Baker, in Section 3 they were unplaced but in the Junior Section they came in 3rd playing the march "The Old Warrior" and won £1.
- Heanor Church Temperance Band
- Active in the early 1900s through to at least 1918
- Heanor Miners Welfare Band
- Active in 1926, when it entered the Spondon Contest, conducted by F. Beecroft
- Heanor Town Band
- Active in 1897
- Heap Bridge Brass Band
- See: Bury Public Silver Band
- Heart of England Band
- Active during the 1980s and early 1990s. Also known as Hyundai Heart of England Band, and PMG Heart of England Band.
- Heath & Reach Band
- Active in the 1950s.
- Heaton Band (Yorkshire)
- Heaton Mersey & District Band
- Active in 1937
- Heaton Sunday School Brass Band
- Active in 1873 when it headed up 800 members of the Bleachers and Finishers' Association in a procession to celebrate the Prince of Wales visit to Bolton in June that year.
- Hebburn Colliery Band
- Formed in 1874, (another source states 1860), the band won the Crystal Palace National Championships in 1904, conducted by Angus Holden. The band's victory tour however displeased the colliery management to the extent that some men were dismissed from the pit on their return. Folded sometime between 1920 and 1939. A newpaper report in December 1907 states: "The Hebburn Colliery Band did much by its fine playing to brighten the colliery village on Tyneside. But it had the misfortune to win the £1,000 challenge trophy at the Crystal Palace two years ago. Outside engagements poured in, and proprietors felt that they were not justified in supporting the band when it so seldom played in the village. So they withdrew their support and the band has been given up. This is not a pleasant story."
- Hebburn Harmonic Band
- Active in 1907 and 1937
- Hebburn Town Band
- Formed in 1874 and still active in 1915.
- Heckington Old Brass Band (Lincolnshire)
- Active around 1865
- Heckington Town Band (Lincolnshire)
- Active in 1924 when it took part in Heckington Feast. In 1933 a new honorary conductor, Mr W Bangay, was appointed. Amalgamated with Sleaford Town Band to form Sleaford and District Band, probably in the late 1940s?
- Heckmondwyke Albion Band
- Active in the 1850s and 1860s. Took part in the Second South Yorkshire Brass Band Contest, at Nether Hall Park, Doncaster, on 25th June 1860.
- Heckmondwike Flush Mills Band (Yorkshire)
- Heckmondwike Old Band (Yorkshire)
- Heeley Brass Band (near Sheffield)
- Active in the first half of the 20th century. "My dad and his brothers and my cousins all played in the Heeley Brass Band and if the Dore band were playing a special fete or sports day they used to go and play with them to augment their numbers. They always travelled from Heeley Station to Dore and Totley Station by train and then walked up Dore Road to the village."
- Helland Band (Caradon, Cornwall)
- Formed about 1890 they kept up a fairly busy life until 1927 when what was left of them became the nucleus of the Bodmin Town Band. In their earlier days they were conducted by George Bailey who went on to conduct St Blazey & District Band until the day of his retirement. A R. Symons conducted the Helland Band before and after World War 1. No contesting was ever carried out.
- Helmshore Public Prize Band
- Formed in the 1870s, it eventually merged with Haslingden Borough Prize Band in 1972 to form the current Haslingden and Helmshore Band
- Helsby Brass Band (Bolton)
- Had 8 members, under the conductorship of Mr E Helsby. They played at the Olympia Skating Ring each Saturday and were report as rendering excellent music at the first Rumworth Reservoir Regatta in 1882.
- Helsby Family Brass Band (Bolton)
- Formed around 1895. On a Sunday afternoon there was a large family gathering at one of the family's houses, when someone said 'Well. There are enough of us, why not form a band of our own again!' They sent a hat round and the collection amount to 4 shillings and 6 pence. They went to see an instrument firm, where they struck a deal and 13 Helsby's and a drummer started a band. Another tale told is one day while carrying out a Church procession in Farnworth one wit called out in excited tones, 'Hello Helsby there, I say Helsby!' Every member looked round on hearing his name called, causing a temporary breakdown in the performance. In about 1912 the family became scattered across the country and this was the end of the band. Many of the family members went on to play in other local bands, notably one, Mr Thomas Helsby, became conductor of Eagley Brass Band.
- Helton Band (Cumbria)
- Active in 1913
- Hemsworth Colliery Athletic Club Brass Band (Wakefield)
- Active in 1932
- Hemsworth Colliery Band (Wakefield)
- Active in the 1940s/50s
- Hemsworth Old Brass Band
- Active in 1900. Bandroom was the King's Head Inn, Hemsworth, Wakefield.
- Hendersons Brass Band (North East)
- Active in 1887 when it led a procession for Queen Victoria's Jubilee celebrations in Jarrow - "June 21st this being Jubilee Day the town of Jarrow and surrounding district celebrated the day in right loyal style. Upwards of 7,000 children gathered at the educational centres to be regaled with buns, spice loaf, milk and tea. The masters attended the little folks and mistresses of the schools assisted by a number of ladies and gentlemen volunteers as waiters. After the tea the children prepared to start for the Recreation Ground where sports and entertainment were to be provided for them. Before the start was made each child received a present of a Jubilee Mug. On each of them were portraits of the Queen representing her in 1837 and the present year.. Each mug bore the words "Jubilee 1887 Jarrow on Tyne". The tea finished the young folk set off in two processions one headed by Hendersons Brass Band and the other by the Tyne Dock and Jarrow Temperance Band. "
- Hendon Band
- Formed in 1956, later known as John Laing (Hendon) Band. Within just eight years, under the direction of Donald Morrison, they were upgraded to 'Championship' Section rating. They enjoyed many contest successes, appearing in the national finals at the Royal Albert Hall on many occasions and also making regular appearances on BBC radio programmes. It merged with the Denham Band in 1998 to form the Denham Hendon Brass Band.
- Hendon Central Band
- Active in 1962, when it competed in the Senior Trophy, conducted by D.M. Morrison
- Hendon Silver Band
- Formed in June 1938
- Henfield Town Band (Sussex)
- Active between 1890 and 1914.
- Hensingham Band of Hope Brass Band (Cumbria)
- Active in 1893
- Henwood Band (North Cornwall)
- Henwood Band was in action from c1858 to c1868, generally playing around North Cornwall. Nothing is as yet known of their conductor(s), but it is known that they did not partake in contesting.
- Heptonstall Amateur Brass Band
- Active in 1881
- Heptonstall Band
- Active in 1885. Held a social evening at White Horse Hotel, Heptonstall, on 14th February 1891
- Hepworth Iron Works Brass Band
- Active in 1940
- Hereford Band
- Hereford City Band
- Active in 1938
- Herland Cross Band
- The only reference to this band is of them leading a large and impressive procession celebrating the end of the war with Russia in 1856. By this date they were almost certainly a "brass band". The event took place in Marazion but they were almost certainly an ad hoc band (all established bands would have already been booked in their own towns for an event such as this), so there is no mention a leader.
- Herne Bay Town Band
- Active around 1928
- Herodsfoot Band (Caradon, Cornwall)
- Another band where only one engagement has so far been found. In 1870 they played for their local Bible Christian Sunday school anniversary procession and tea treat. And that appears to be all.
- Herstmonceux Brass Band
- Active in 1902 when it rehearsed in the Elm Coffee Tavern, Windmill Hill
- Hessle British Legion Band (Yorkshire)
- Hessle Youth Band (Yorkshire)
- Formed in February 1954 by Mr Hill, it gave its first concert on 27th July 1954. Later named the E.R. Youth Band, it had reverted back to Hessle Youth Band by 1973.
- Hetton Colliery Band (County Durham)
- Formed in the 1890s and still active in 1914.
- Hexham Church of England Temperance Band
- Formed in the 1890s, renamed as Hexham Excelsior Band by 1905, it folded in the 1950s
- Hexham Excelsior Band
- See: Hexham Church of England Temperance Band
- Hexham Excelsior Town Band
- See: Hexham Church of England Temperance Band
- Hexham Mechanics Band
- Active in 1877.
- Hexham Union Band (Northumberland)
- Active in 1864, when they played at the Hexham Flower Show in September
- Hexham Volunteers Band (Northumberland)
- Active in 1864, when they played at the Hexham Flower Show in September
- Hexthorpe Brass Band (Doncaster)
- Formed in 1892
- Heytesbury Brass Band (Wiltshire)
- Active in 1905
- Heywood Borough Band
- Active in 1885
- Heywood Old Prize Band
- Active in 1900. Heywood Advertiser, May 1945: "On Tuesday morning, it rained to some purpose, and it looked as if there was to be a damper on the day's proceedings, but fortunately it cleared for the impressive scene in the Market Place in the afternoon. Here a very big crowd assembled and was regaled with a programme of music by the Heywood Old Prize Band, under Bandmaster H Wilson. At 3 o'clock there was perfectly relayed the Prime Minister's sonorous declaration that peace had come to Europe, the big assembly listening in complete silence, breaking into spontaneous applause as Mr Churchill ended his address."
Competed in the Junior Cup in 1962, conducted by H. Smith.
- Heywood Rifles Band
- Active in 1885
- Heywood Volunteers Band
- Active in 1883
- Heytesbury Band (Wiltshire)
- Active in 1905
- Hibernian Brass Band (Maesteg)
- Active in the 1920s
- Hickleton Colliery Band (South Yorkshire)
- Hickleton Main Colliery Band
- Active in the 1920s. Successful in competitions in the 1940s and 1950s. Herbert Batty was a cornet player with the band. During this period some other details were - Patrons: Lord Halifax, Col. Warde Aldam, Mr D Griffiths, MP. Chairman: H. Batty, 44 Queen Street, Goldthorpe. Secretary: J. Sutcliffe, 116 High Street, Goldthorpe. Winners of over £2000 in prizes. Winners Belle Vue 1946, runners up 1947. Winners at Guisboro' 1949, Barton on Humber 1949, Eckington 1949, NCB Contest at Sheffield in 1950. They wore smart uniforms, green tunics with gold facings, black trousers.
[thanks to Adrian Batty]
- Hickleton Main Subscription Silver Prize Band
- See: Hickleton Main Colliery Band
- Hicks Mill Band (Carrick. Cornwall)
- Again a one engagement band, this time in 1880 playing in St Day for the Primitive Methodists Sunday school treat.
- High Crompton Public Brass Band (Shaw, Oldham)
- Active in 1933
- High Foresters Brass Band
- See: Barnet Town Silver Band
- High Land Band
- Active in 1933
- High Lane Silver Band (Stockport)
- Active in 1924
- High Spen Colliery Band (Co Durham)
- Active in the early 1900s
- High Wycombe Borough Band
- High Wycombe Excelsior Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- High Wycombe Town Band
- Formed in 1925 as a military band, then reformed in 1948 as a brass band. Competed in the 2nd Annual Open Brass Band Festival at the Wesley Central Hall, Portsmouth (organised by the Portsmouth City Fire Brigade Prize Band), on Saturday 16th September 1950.
- Higham Ferrers Town Band (Northamptonshire)
- Active in 1910
- Higham Brass Band (Barnsley)
- Higham Victoria Band (Barnsley)
- Highams Park Silver Band (Chingford, Essex)
- Highclere Band (Hampshire)
- Active in the 1890s. Merged with the East Woodhay Mechanics Band (or, as it was possibly then known, the St Martin's Brass Band) in the early 1900s
- Highfield School Band (Bradford)
- Highfield Seconday Modern School.
- Highgate Mills Band (Clayton, Bradford)
- Highgate Salvation Army Band
- Active in 1903, when its leader was J H Kichenside
- Highgate Silver Band
- Active in 1903, the band made a trip to Guernsey in 1919 which was reported in the local press and of which some postcards exist. An article in the "Star" of 1919 mentions that the band had taken over as the band of the Middlesex RAMVC 'two years ago'. Articles in the Press and the Star mention a bandsman Wreford Devoto. He was born in Yeovil, and in 1901 his father, Louis, was described as a salvation army officer. Three Devotos were players in the staff band of the New York Salvation Army, who are believed to be William Devoto, son of Louis and brother of Wreford, and his sons. The visit to Guernsey started on 6th June 1919, under the guise of the band of the Middlesex Royal Army Medical Corps, under the direction of Lt. J. H. Kichenside, and they were engaged for five two-hour performances in Candie Gardens over the Whitsuntide Holiday of 7-9 June, 1919. Admission was sixpence on Saturday, fivepence on Sunday and Monday, and chairs could be had for a shilling. They received an excellent review in the paper of Monday 9th, although on Saturday afternoon they had played "we regret to write, before a comparatively small attendance of the public".
Back home, the Woodman Inn, at the junction of Archway Road and Muswell Hill Road, was owned by landlord Charles Ramsay who took over in the 1840s and didn't retire until the 1890s. In 1884 it was still surrounded by trees and fields, and was little changed from when it was a coaching inn. It was refurbished c.1920, and at that time was still a waiting point for carters who waited for a carter coming in the opposite direction so that each in turn could take advantage of the extra horse when surmounting Muswell Hill. The Highgate Silver Band used to play outside of Saunders the florist, opposite the Woodman Inn every Sunday morning. Subsequently became the Arsenal Football Club Band, which was active in the 1930s.
- Highgate United Silver Prize Band
- Active in 1921 and 1930
- Highley Brass Band
- Formed around 1900, later known as Highley Colliery Band, disbanded in 1967 when the mine closed. It is believed its first conductor was a head pit surveyor called Horace Lloyd, who also owned Lloyds shop in High Street. The Highley Mining Company began trading in 1877 and soon became a profitable enterprise. It was taken over by the National Coal Board in 1947 and employed over 1,000 men at its peak New band of same name formed in 1993.
- Highley Colliery Band
- See: Highley Brass Band
- Hightown Band (Yorkshire)
- Hignett's Tobacco Works Band (Liverpool)
- Active in 1893
- Hilgay Brass Band
- Active in 1896, possibly earlier. It is thought that the band was formed by a few men working on the land for the local farmers. The Rev Canon Beechy seems to be a prominent name in the early days of 1896-1899 also the Rev G MacDermott. In the early 1900's the band was to be renamed as Hilgay Excelsior Band and, despite surviving both world wars, it folded in 1961. A successor band, Hilgay Silver Band, was formed in 1972 using some of the original instruments a few of the old players.
- Hilgay Excelsior Band
- See: Hilgay Brass Band
- Hillgrove Bands (New South Wales)
- Hillgrove, New South Wales, is a town located 557 kilometres NN East of Sydney and 32 Kilometres east of Armidale in the New England region of New South Wales. Gold was discovered in Hillgrove in 1866 and full scale mining commenced in 1880. At its peak, 1898, Hillgrove had a population of around 3000, more than neighbouring Armidale. During its peak years Hillgrove could boast 2 brass bands, namely McMahon's Hillgrove Band and the Hillgrove Municipal Band. McMahon's band had a nucleus of 7 McMahon brothers and is the band commonly known as the Hillgrove Band. Little is known of the municipal band other than its existence and the odd engagement. It is impossible to say when the Hillgrove (McMahon's) Band was formed, somewhere between 1880 and 1890, but it was fully in existence by 1897 when they won a contest in Tamworth. In 1898 the Hillgrove Band was placed 2nd to E.T. Code's Melbourne Band at an Intercolonial Contest at Launceston Tasmania. In 1899 the band competed at an Intercolonial Contest, at Bathurst New South Wales in the 1st Class section, but were unplaced. They did however manage 2nd in the march contest. Both Hillgrove bands were still in existence in 1900 and combined to play at a ceremony celebrating the incorporation of the town. By the early 1900's the population of Hillgrove began to decline along with the fall in gold prices. By 1921 gold mining had ceased and both bands had long disappeared. Antinomy mining was started in 1969. The population of Hillgrove is currently in the vicinity of 200 whereas Armidale, their former rival town, is now a large city with a population nearing 40,000. Band activity began in Armidale and nearby Glen Innes around the time of Hillgrove's demise. (Source: Mark Pinner)
- Hillhouse Temperance Band (Yorkshire)
- Hilliers Brush Manufacturing Band (Wells, Somerset)
- Active in the late 1800s
- Hillingdon Band
- See: Hayes and Harlington Silver Band
- Hillingdon Borough Band
- See: Hayes and Harlington Silver Band
- Hillingdon Church Temperance Prize Brass Band (Middlesex)
- Active in 1905 and still flourishing during WW1
- Hillsborough Silver Band (Northern Ireland)
- Formed in 1885. Amalgamated with Reid Memorial Band in 1990 to form Downshire Brass
- Hilton and Marston-on-Dove Brass Band (Derbyshire)
- Active in the 1890s
- Hinchcliffe Mill Band
- See: Hinchliffe Mill Band
- Hinchliffe Mill Brass Band (Holmfirth)
- Formed in 1872, folded in 2000. Legend has it that in the early days a pig used to be borrowed from a farmer and placed on a wall to listen during rehearsals. If the pig remained quiet and contented the bandsmen took it they would do well at their forthcoming concert. Grunting was a sign that the chances of winning a prize were not good at all. Harry Haigh, who joined in 1918 and was bandmaster from 1938 until 1970, followed in his father's footsteps. At different times he had two uncles, a brother and three cousins playing alongside him in the band. His grandfather was a founder member of the band. There was a hiatus during the Second World War, when the exodus of players into the armed forces led to a temporary merger with Holme Silver Band. Following the band's demise in 2000 a charity was founded, with money raised by selling the band's assets, to help music-makers living and working in the Holme Valley. It is the Hinchliffe Mill Brass Band Music Charity.
- Hindley Prize Band
- See: Hindley Subscription Band
- Hindley Public Band
- The second band in the town and was probably, for a time, the more successful of the two. Being a mining area several players graduated to more successful colliery bands including several to Bickershaw Colliery in the 1940's. Hindley Public disbanded in the late 1950's. (It is believed that Teddy Gray and Harry Mather both graduated from Hindley Public) Only 2.5 miles from Wingates in one direction and a similar distance to Bickershaw in another, both Hindley bands found it very difficult to retain their better players.
- Hindley Subscription Band (Wigan)
- Became Hindley Prize Band in the late 1960's and following a brief period of success went into decline and was disbanded in the early 1980's
- Hindmarsh Brass Band (Australia)
- Active in 1912 and 1954
- Hingham and Watton Band (near Norwich)
- Active in the 1900s
- Hingley's Silver Prize Band (Dudley)
- Active in the late 1800s. This was the works band of the chain and anchor company owned by N. Hingley & Sons Ltd, which was famous for making the anchors for the Titanic ocean liner.
- Hinkley Mills Band (Leicestershire)
- Hirwaun Brass Band (Hirwaun near Aberdare)
- Active in 1948
- Hirwaun Welfare Band
- See: Hirwaun Brass Band
- Histon and Impington Band
- Folded in 2006 and merged with Waterbeach Brass
- Hoddesdon & Broxbourne Silver Band (Hertfordshire)
- Active in 1907 and 1914 - C.W. Belsham bandmaster, F. Salmon secretary. Edwin Dixon treasurer
- Hoddesdon & Broxbourne Town Band
- See: Hoddesdon & Broxbourne Silver Band
- Hoddesdon Town Band
- Active in 1935
- Hoddlesden and Pickup Bank Band
- Active in the 1920s. Had some backing from the local Carus Mill in Hoddlesden. Also known, at various times, as Pickup Bank Subscription Prize Band, Hoddlesden Shepherds Brass Band and Pickup Bank Band. After World War 2 it struggled to retain players and merged with the Darwen Borough Prize Band to form Darwen and Hoddlesden Silver Band.
- Hoddlesden Shepherds Brass Band
- See: Hoddlesden and Pickup Bank Band
- Hodgsons Recreational Club Silver Band
- Formed around 1930, obtaining instruments from the recently disbanded Beverley United Prize Band. It lasted until 1938, by which time it had become a brass and reed band. When it disbanded, its instruments went to the National Fire Service in Hull and then on to the Army Cadet force in Beverley in 1945. The instruments were then passed on to the Cadets at Sutton Airfield and subsequently mysteriously disappeared.
- Hoggarths Works Band (Preston)
- Active in the 1950s. In the 1980s was renamed as the Warburtons Bakery Band.
- Hoggett's Saxhorn Band (Darlington)
- The Hoggett family were well known in Darlington for their music and bands
- Hogsthorpe Brass Band (Lincolnshire)
- Active in the 1900s
- Hogsthorpe & Chapel St Leonards Silver Band (Lincolnshire)
- Active in the 1920s
- Hokitika Brass Band (New Zealand)
- A Hokitika Brass Band is known to have begun practicing in 1865, however the band's minute book gives 15 February 1869 as the date of the inaugural meeting of the Hokitika Brass Band. It existed until at least 1874
- Holbeach Town Band
- Active around the 1900s - disbanded well before the 1970s when the current band was formed.
- Holbeck Band (Yorkshire)
- Holborn Schools Band (Mitcham)
- Holdens Silver Band (Adelaide, South Australia)
- Active in 1905, supported by Holdens Coach Builders.
- Hollingworth Brass Band
- Hollingworth Mills Brass Band
- Active around 1900
- Hollinsclough Silver Band
- Active in the 1920s. A successor band was formed in the 1960s
- Hollinwood United Brass Band
- Active in 1893 when it gave two grand concerts in the Foxdenton Hall Pleasure Gardens on May 14th. Conductor was George Blackwell, Soprano cornet - Hamlet Hilton, Solo cornet - J.T. Bolton, Solo Trombone - A. Rollinson, Solo Euphonium - Robert Holt.
- Hollinwood & District Band
- Active in the 1930s
- Holloway Hall Brass Band
- Active in the 1900s
- Hollybrook Boys' Band (Southampton)
- Holm Mills Band
- Active in the 1870s
- Holme Mills Silver Band
- Active in 1914, founded around 1885?
- Holmes Hull Tannery Band
- Holmes Mills Prize Band (Rotherham)
- Active in the 1930s to 1960s. Played at the Wickersley Silver Jubilee celebrations on May 6th, 1935. Also the King Edward VII School sports day on 24 March 1945. Competed in the Junior Cup in 1962, conducted by W. Hargreaves.
- Holmefirth Silver Prize Band
- Active in 1923
- Holmfirth Temperance Band (Yorkshire)
- Holt Brass Band (Norfolk)
- Active in 1892 - Arthur Preston was bandmaster
- Holy Cross Band (Liverpool)
- Active around 1900
- Holy Cross Croy Silver Band (Croy, Lanarkshire)
- Active before WW1, when Henry Fortyn was bandmaster.
- Holyhead Town Band
- Holywell Row Silver Band (Suffolk)
- Founded in 1875 by Matthew Haylock, and disbanded around 1935
- Home Charm Paints Thornhill Band
- See: Thornhill Band
- Honiton Brass Band (Devon)
- Formed as a brass and reed band in the late 1800s as Honiton Volunteers Band. Converted to brass in 1904 and renamed Honiton Brass Band, it folded at the outset of WW1.
- Honiton Silver Prize Band
- See: Honiton Town Brass Band
- Honiton Town Brass Band (Devon)
- Formed after 1918. After entering contests and winning a prize at Barnstaple, the band re-badged itself as the Honiton Silver Prize Band and continued to flourish. In 1939, the band joined the Territorials, as part ot the Devonshire Regiment. Its members were called up for war service and the town band folded.
- Honiton Volunteers Band
- See: Honiton Brass Band
- Hoo Silver Band (Rochester, Kent)
- Formed in 1890 as Hoo St Werburgh Brass Band. At one time its members were six members of the Simmons family, five Poynters, three Mathias, three Peck, two Beech and two from the Lee family. Tylden Reed recalls his time in the band: "I played in the band in the late 50s to the early 60s when the band was disbanded. The band contested for many years at the Areas in London and at Tunbridge Wells, Bell Vue, Reading and others with much success. The band was lucky to first have the renowned Eric Ball and later Prof. Walter Hargreaves from the Royal Marines School of Music Deal as its professional conductors. The band regularly played in the London parks and band stands in the south east of England. Annually we spent a weekend at Lingfield in Surrey at the invitation of Lingfield Band. We gave several concerts including at the racecourse and outside the old 'lock-up'. In the early sixties we accompanied 'The old Contemptables' (1st WW veterans) from Kent to the Mennin Gate and toured the cemeterys. The tour was filmed, with Allan Wicker, by BBC 'Tonight' programme and was shown on 11/11 that year. We were also members of the 4th Btn. The Buffs and played the last post under the Mennin Gate, the first time anyone other than the local fire brigade had ever done so. We took two uniforms with us!"
- Hoo St Werburgh Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Hood Green Band (Barnsley)
- Hooe Village Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Hook, Odiham & District Band (Hampshire)
- Hook Brass Band
- Hopetoun Brass Band (Australia)
- See: Marong (Hopetoun) Municipal Band
- Hopkins, Gilkes and Co. Works Band (Middlesborough)
- On July 21, 1865, William Randolph Innes Hopkins married Everald Catherine Elizabeth Hustler at St Mary's Church, Acklam, and a lavish reception was held at the hall owned by the bride's father. The Hopkins, Gilkes and Co. Works Band played, flags flew from public buildings, and at the Ironworks shots were fired from miniature cannons.
- Hopton Perserverance Band (Yorkshire)
- Founded in 1863
- Horley Town Band (Surrey)
- Hornchurch L.C.C. Childrens Homes Band
- Active in 1938
- Hornchurch Village Band
- Active in 1910
- Hornsea Brass Band
- Formed in the town in 1856
- Hornsey British Legion Band
- Hornsey Rise Brass Band (London)
- Active in 1885, when it sent a letter on Feb 18th to the Alexandra Orphanage stating: "Dear Mr. Finch, We should be very pleased to offer our services for amusement of the young children at the Alexandra Orphanage. I asked Mr. May, your engineer, on the subject and he wished me to write to you. We take the Champion Journal which contains most of the popular music. Trusting we shall be able to meet your approval. I am your obedient servant, J. Edwards, Sec."
- Horsforth Band
- Active in 1855
- Horsforth Brass Band
- Active in the 1970s. Amalgamated with Leeds City Band to form Horsforth Leeds City Band in the 1980s
- Horsforth Subscription Band
- Active in the 1920s/30s
- Horsham Town Band (Sussex)
- Active in 1891 - William Garman, bandmaster, of 6b Denne Road
- Horsley Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Amalgamated with Nailsworth Silver Band in 1948 to become the Nailsworth and Horsley Silver Band. The band reverted back to the Nailsworth Silver Band name sometime in the early 1970s.
- Horwich L and Y Band
- Formed in 1889 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, three years after the opening of the new Locomotive Works in Horwich. Although a 'crack' team of players was put together in 1912, they never seem to have reached the same heights as the RMI Band. The band had been disbanded by 1930.
- Horwich Old Prize Band
- Formed around 1875 and made its rehearsal room above the Co-operative Hall. Their first public engagement was a Church procession through the village. The band had only learnt one tune by this time and repeated this tune over and over during the two mile course of the procession. The band enjoyed its most successful period from 1900 to 1914, winning third prize at the Crystal Palace in 1906 and winning the September Belle Vue Contest in 1910. With the formation of the Horwich RMI Band they lost several key players in 1912 and then sadly lost 12 bandsmen during the Great War. The band was never to regain its height and had disbanded by 1950.
- Horwich Old Public Brass BandSee: Horwich Old Prize Band
- Horwich Railway Mechanics Institute Band
- See: Horwich RMI Band
- Horwich RMI Band
- Directors of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company were dismayed by the lack of success by their band, The Horwich L and Y Band. So in 1912 the Chief Mechanical Engineer George Hughes suggested holding auditions for new players. Only one member of the original band was successful in retaining his place, the rest of the band was obviously slightly upset by this outcome and decided to form their won band under the umbrella of the RMI. Therefore the Horwich RMI came into being in late 1912.
Success was to come quickly; in 1915 the band came second to Foden's Works Band in the Spring Belle Vue contest. Later that year several of the Foden's players were sacked after a strike at the factory. The majority of these players joining the RMI band, the following year they beat Foden's to second place. Their height came in 1922, winning the Crystal Palace 1000 guinea trophy making them champions of Great Britain. Something that the L and Y Band would never achieve. Mr Riley, the band secretary, put together an ingenious method of raising funds in the early days of the band. A membership scheme was started whereby 360 employees of the L and Y Company would have a small deduction made from their wages; in return they received two tickets to three summer concerts, this scheme continued right into the 1930's. In 1953 the Bolton Evening News ran a series of articles again on the Brass Bands of Bolton. RMI featuring in one of them, the then band secretary a Mr Hill, stated that times had been hard but they were on the up. The band had disbanded by the late 1950's.
The Bandstand at Horwich Works recreation ground was built in 1907 and was used by the works' brass band for concerts.
- Houghton Colliery Band (Houghton-le-Spring)
- Formed in the 1890s and folded around 1939.
- Houghton Main Colliery Band (Yorkshire)
- Houghton Regis Band (Bedfordshire)
- Formed in the 1850s and played in a "rural festival" in 1856. In 1885 it amalgamated for a brief period with the Dunstable Temperance Band, to form the Dunstable Promenade Band. The bands then split once again. It was still active, as the Houghton Regis Band, in 1894
- House of Dickinson Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Howarth Public Band
- Active around 1910
- Howarth Public Subscription Band (Yorkshire)
- Howden-le-Wear Band (County Durham)
- Formed in 1898 and still active in 1934. Briefly renamed Howden Excelsior Band before reverting back.
- Howden Colliery Band (Co. Durham)
- Active in 1900
- Howden Excelsior Band
- See: Howden-le-Wear Band
- Howley Silver Band
- Active in 1968
- Hoxton Dye Works Band (London)
- Active in 1873
- Hoxton Market Christian Mission Silver Band (London)
- Formed 1882. In the London blitz of 1940 all the band's equipment (72 instruments and 60 uniforms) were destroyed.
- Hoyland Town Silver Prize Band (South Yorkshire)
- Formed in 1889 as the Rechabites Brass Band
- Hucknall British Legion Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Hucknall Excelsior Band
- See: Hucknall Excelsior Silver Prize Band
- Hucknall Excelsior Silver Prize Band (Nottingham)
- Active in 1889. In 1915 - Joseph Harrison secretary & bandmaster, of Annesley Road. See also: Hucknall Temperance Prize Band for some related information
- Hucknall Excelsior Temperance Prize Band
- See: Hucknall Excelsior Silver Prize Band
- Hucknall Silver Prize Band
- See: Hucknall Temperance Prize Band
- Hucknall Temperance Prize Band
- (Newark - June 29, 1898] - "The annual festival of the children's Sunday School Union took place on Thursday and proved a single success. The weather was fine, and from many windows and standards flags floated and bunting was displayed. The sides of the market were lined with vehicles full of folk who were anxious to view the annual spectacle, and pedestrians made a deep fringe round the market square. While the schools assembled, the Newark Borough Band and the Hucknall Temperance Prize Band entertained the crowd with melodies. Over 2,000 children sang a selection of hymns before they moved off in procession with their teachers for a parade through the town."
(Newark - March 2 1898] - "The town was considerably enlivened on Saturday by a visit from the Hucknall Excelsior Temperance Prize Band which accompanied the Hucknall football team. The band played from the GN station to the Market-place and afterwards down to the Muskham Road Ground. In the Market-place at night the band gave an admirable concert the music being listened to and enjoyed by several hundreds of people. The band is a noted prize-taking combination and there were about 30 performers. They pitched in the corner of the Market-place nearly opposite Chain-lane and played a selection of pieces with the feeling and expression that has made them the winners of many contests." See also Newspaper report of the concert prelude to the first National Championships
In 1904 Sam Taylor was the conductor, as he was also in 1915 by which time the band had changed its name to the Hucknall Silver Prize Band.
- Hucknall Tokard Prize Band
- Huddersfield and Upper Agbrigg Brass Band
- Hudderfield Borough Band (Yorkshire)
- Hudderfield Catholic Band (Yorkshire)
- Huddersfield Fire Brigade Brass Band
- Active in 1905
- Hudderfield Friendly and Trades Band (Yorkshire)
- Huddersfield Home Guard Band
- Active in 1943
- Hudderfield Princess Street Mission Band (Yorkshire)
- Huddersfield Rifles Band
- Began contesting in 1887
- Huddersfield Subscription Band
- Active in 1939
- Huddersfield Temperance Brass Band
- Active in the 1880s, when it received donations from Sir William Ramsden.
- Hugglescote & Ellistown Band (Leicestershire)
- Active in the 1920s. Was conducted by Mr W. Burton in 1939.
- Hugglescote & Ellistown Silver Prize Band
- See: Hugglescote & Ellistown Band
- Hugh Stevenson & Sons Band
- Active in the 1940s
- Hull British Oil and Cake Mills Band
- See: British Oil and Cake Mills Band
- Hull City Brass Band
- Edward Pearcey was Bandmaster in 1913
- Hull Druids' Brass Band
- Active in 1859 when it performed a concert with the Barton Ropery Band in Barton Temperance Hall.
- Hull Kingston Cotton Mills Band
- Formed in mid-1855 with sixteen performers on saxhorns. "Mr Browne of Silver Street was the music superintendent, and on a march through the town the band was well received."
- Hull Orphan Sailors Childrens Brass Band
- Active around 1910.
- Hull Railwaymen's Band
- Active in 1954
- Hull Silver Prize Band
- Active in the early 1900s. Mary Newton notes: "My father, Harry Cook, played in the Hull Silver Prize Band. He played the cornet. This was in the years before the first world war, and my eldest brother who was born in 1908 was their mascot when he was about ten or eleven. My father was at the Battle of the Sommne and shell shocked. I am the last of his children. I remember seeing a photograph of the band taken in a waggonette - they must have been going on a day out."
- Hull Sons of Temperance Prize Band
- Active around 1910, when the conductor was C. Norman and Band Secretary H. Roe. Played concerts in East Park at 3pm on Sunday June 26th 1910, and in West Park at 3pm on Sunday July 17th 1910, in aid of the Hull & Sculcoates Dispensary Working Men's Committee, where the programme was: Vigilant - J. Farrell, Gems of England - Rimmer, Andante from C Minor Symphony - Beethoven, Memories of the Past - Rimmer, Senator - G. Allan, Sandon - T Allsopp, In the Twilight - Rimmer, and Robert Devereux - Donizetti.
- Hull Waterloo Band
- Active in 1930. Played a concert in East Park on 16th July 1916, conducted by Charles Norman, a cornet player.
- Hull Waterloo Prize Silver Band
- See: Hull Waterloo Band
- Hulme Public Silver Prize Band (Manchester)
- Hulme Temperance Band
- Active in the 1930s
- Hulton Brass Band
- Formed in 1975 when the Walkden Junior Band broke away from Walkden Band. They rehearsed at a local Church and seem to have initially done well. The band received sponsorship from Agecroft Colliery for a short time, changing its name to Agecroft Colliery Band. Unfortunately the venture seems to have lasted only about six years and the band folded in the early 1980's.
- Hunmanby Brass Band
- Amalgamated with the Hunmanby Silver Band after 1918.
- Hunmanby Silver Band
- Active before 1880. After the 1914-18 Great War, a prominent local business man, Sir Dennis Bayley supplied a full set of musical instruments and uniforms, and the band was renamed the Dennis Bayley Hunmanby Silver Band, which also combined with the Hunmanby Brass Band of the time. It folded around 1959.
- Hunmanby Mitford Brass Band
- Active in 1905, bandmaster W. Raylor
- Hunningham School Band
- Active in the 1930s.
- Hunslet Leather Works Band (Yorkshire)
- Hunsonby Brass Band (Cumbria)
- Active in the 1880s
- Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion Band
- See: Old Fletton Victoria Prize Band
- Hunwick Colliery Band (Middlesbrough)
- Formed in the 1890s. Merged with the Evenwood Colliery Band at some time. Also known as Hunwick Silver Band and competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Probably folded in the 1950s.
- Hunwick Silver Band
- See: Hunwick Colliery Band
- Hurlford Brass Band
- Active in 1879, when it headed a procession in August to inaugurate the Kilmarnock Burns Monument and Kay Park, accommodated on raised seats on a lorry, which was drawn by three powerful Clydesdales, and profusely decorated with evergreens.
- Hurst Brass Band (Tameside)
- Active in 1915
- Huthwaite Prize Band
- Active in 1925
- Hyde Borough Band
- Active in 1893. 1900 ? "..... The procession was led by a group of mounted policemen and they were followed by the Hyde Borough Band and the Mottram and Broadbottom Band.
1931 - Twenty-one-year-old Frances Lockett, of Hyde, was voted the town's first cotton queen. She had a civic reception in her honour and more than 20,000 people turned out to welcome her. Frances was also taken through the streets, which were decorated with flowers and ribbons, in an open landau carriage drawn by four bay horses. Mounted police led the procession and she was followed by the Kingston Mill Band, a troupe of Morris dancers, more than 300 workers from Newton Mill, members of the Hyde Lads Club, 40 cars and the Hyde Borough Band.
- Hyde British Legion Band
- Formed after 1945
- Hyde Original Band
- Active in 1933
- Hylton Colliery Band (Castletown)
- Formed in the 1900s, active through 1911. Renamed as Castletown Colliery Band at some point. Probably did not survive the First World War.
- Hylton Colliery Silver Band
- Formed in 1949, renamed Monkwearmouth Lodge Band in 1980, folded in 2000.
- Hymac Rhymney Band
- Active in 1969 when conducted by Richard Nash. Won the Welsh Regional Championships (3rd Section) in 1976. Also known as Rhymney Silver Band.
- Hythe Band (Essex)
- Active in 1905 when the bandmaster was A. J. Barber
- Hythe Excelsior Military Town Band
- Hyundai Heart of England Band
- See: Heart of England Band
- I
- I.C.I. (Alkali) Band (Winnington, Cheshire)
- Formed in 1923 as Winnington Boy Scouts Band, then Winnington Lads' Club Band in March 1936. Adopted ICI (Alkali) name in June 1936
- I.C.I. Recreational Band (Grangemouth, Scotland)
- See: Scottish Dyes Band
- I.O.R. Rescue Tent Brass Band
- I.O.R. (Independent Order of Rechabites) Band (Geelong, Australia)
- Founded in 1891, folded in 1911, following troubles which started at a contest in 1908 when four of its members were reported for drinking. The instruments and uniforms were used to start the present day Geelong West Band in 1911
- Ibstock Excelsior Brass Band
- Active in 1897 when it organised a brass band contest at the Ram Hotel grounds in Ibstock, on Saturday August 21st 1897. The test piece was "Gems of Victorian Melody". Some records of the band are held at The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland
- Ickleton Band (Saffron Walden)
- Active in 1909
- Ickringill's Brass Band (Keighley)
- Formed by James Ickringill, a Victorian businessman and church founder, owner of Eastwood Mill, Keighley and Legrams Mill, Bradford - also created local Boys & Girls Briagdes.
- Ideal Boilers & Radiator Works Band
- Active in 1939
- Idle and Thackley Brass Band
- Active, at least, from 1898-1943
- Idle Band (Yorkshire)
- Iford Brass Band (Sussex)
- Operating during 1930s and 40s at least, when the conductor was Frank Geisler. Born in Belgium, he lived in Christchurch, Dorset and was very active with bands around that area of the South coast. He conducted Iford Brass Band and he also played Eb Bass.
- Ilford (St John Ambulance) Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Later renamed Ilford Silver Prize Band
- Ilford Old Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Ilford Silver Band
- Active in 1928
- Ilford Silver Prize Band
- See: Ilford (St John Ambulance) Band
- Ilford St John Band
- See: Ilford (St John Ambulance) Band
- Ilfracombe Rechabite Band
- Ilkeston Excelsior Brass Band
- Ilkeston Main Brass Band
- Illogan Bands (Kerrier, Cornwall)
-
There was an Illogan Brass Band in operation in 1863 and they took part in a contest held in the Redruth area under their conductor Mr U Bosanko. The next time I hear of a band in Illogan is when the Rev Harry Oxland was appointed to the village and promptly formed a band finding musicians from Bridge, Illogan Highway and the village itself. Despite calling the band the Illogan Reed and Brass Band, they were allowed, for a couple of years, to take part in the local brass band contests, but their real local fame was enhanced in 1909 when they travelled to London for the Crystal Palace Military Bands contest and came seventh. They changed their title just after this to the Illogan Military Brass Band which strikes me as unexplainable as they had always, from day one, been a "miltary band", meaning a full complement of woodwind instruments (including a bassoon) and eventually french horns instead of tenor horns. The band was taken over in 1926 by Con Oxland, son of the founder, but they were forced to disband in 1939. From all the newspaper accounts of this band, they were well on a par with the Camborne Town Band, so therefore deserve a mention in these archives.
- Illogan Broad Lane Band (Cornwall)
- Active in 1889
- Illogan Silver Band (Cornwall)
- Ilmington Brass Band
- Immingham Brass Band (Lincolnshire)
- Ind Coope & Allsopp Silver Band
- Formed in 1950, the players working in the brewing industry as drivers, transporters, brewers and bottlers.
- Ind Coope Burton Brewery Brass Band (Burton-on-Trent)
- Formed in 1981 by Eric Johnson, it enjoyed good contest successes, culminating with Midlands Third Section Champions in 1985. The band folded in 1995
- Independent Order of Good Templars Band (Lesmahagow)
- Formed in the 1880s and disbanded in 1932 - when the
instruments were disposed of, the proceeds of the sale provided the funds for the first Lesmahagow Old Age Pensioners' "treat".
- Independent Silver Band(Mt. Vernon, Illinois, USA)
- In existence between 1884-1889.
- Indian Queens Band (Cornwall)
- Active in 1886 and in 1938 (when, conducted by F Knight, they played on a radio broadcast)
- Ingledew's Band (Leeds)
- Ingleton Brass Band
- Active in 1898
- Ingrave & East Horndon Brass Band (Essex)
- Active in 1909
- Inkpen Village Band (Berkshire)
- Innerleithen and Traquair Brass Band
- Inverbervie Town Band (Aberdeenshire)
- Inverclyde District Band (Greenock)
- Folded some time in the 1990s
- Inverkeithing Burgh Band
- Active in 1928, conducted by W.A. Allison. Folded after WW2, revived in 1958 for about three years
- Inverness Silver Band
- Formed in 1920, appealed for instruments and uniforms in 1921. Its first public appearance was at the Great Musical Fete in the Northern Meeting Rooms, together with choirs of 700 voices. It became free of debt in 1922, had its first AGM in 1923. Secretary, Mr A Ross, a railway worker, retired in May 1924. William Grant, bandmaster, resigned in August 1924. Bandmaster in April 1925 was Mr G Scotland, followed in June by a crisis when "Numbers of the committee take little personal interest. No effort to recruit young musicians. A good band is sorely needed in Inverness. The first consideration is a good bandmaster. Those who know about the Silver Band will not tell us what is wrong. There is something far wrong with the band which cannot keep its own engagements." At the 1927 AGM, George Smith Laing was in the chair. "Last year was the most successful since the band's inauguration. 40 appearances. In 4 cases the band was paid. 10 members under tuition. Compliments to Bandmaster MacConnachie." Folded in 1936, and the instruments were loaned to the Inverness District Asylum.
- Ipswich City Band (Australia)
- See: Ipswich City Vice-Regal Band
- Ipswich City Vice-Regal Band (Australia)
- Founded as Hancock's Band in 1890, and after name changes to Town Band andn City Band, it became the Vice-Regal Band in 1904. Trophy won in Toowoomba (Harston Cup). Later donated to the Queensland Band Association as a prize for the 'A' Grade Selections in memory of Will Jones who was secretary of the Ipswich City Vice-Regal Band Association from 1912-1944.
- Ipswich Gas Company Band
- See: Ipswich Gas Works Band
- Ipswich Gas Works Band
- Founded in 1865, conducted by Walter Parker, entered a contest at Woodbridge in 1866
- Ipswich Town Band
- Amalgamated with Connells Sounding Brass (Ipswich) in 1985.
- Ipswich Town Band (Australia)
- See: Ipswich City Vice-Regal Band
- Ireland Alloys Band
- Active in the 1970s and 1980s
- Ireland Colliery Band
- Formed in the 1880s. Merged with Pearsons Pottery Chesterfield Band in the late 1980s to form Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Band.
- Irlam Brass Band
- Founded in 1882. Later known also as Irlam Brass Band Blue Ribbon Army, Irlam Public Band (1920s-1999) and Irlam Silver Band until its demise in 2009.
- Irlam Public Band
- See: Irlam Brass Band
- Irlam Silver Band
- See: Irlam Brass Band
- Irthlingbough Town Band
- Active in 1957
- Irwell Bank Band
- See: Irwell Bank Prize Band
- Irwell Bank Prize Band
- Formed in 1875 by the Irwell Bank Congregational Church. The band was very successful throughout its lifetime. Mr E Gittins was bandmaster from the formation of the band to 1906. In 1906 a newspaper article in the Farnworth Journal showed the band was thinking of setting up its own headquarters in Farnworth. As that was were the majority of the players came from. Whether they managed to purchase a bandroom in 1906 I don't know, but in 1926 they moved to new premises in Peel Street, Farnworth. In 1929 a notice appeared in the local newspaper announcing that the effects of the band and the appointments of their band club were to be sold by auction. The band had been in financial difficulties for some time and the pressure of a creditor led them to go into voluntary liquidation. 19 instruments, drum, 21 uniforms and a large library were sold to Bedford Sunday School for £62 and 10 shillings. Other lots included a pianoforte, stools, whist tables, floor coverings, glasses and a full-sized billiards table with all accessories. It seems they had been living the high life! The band gave their last concert on Bradford Street recreation ground in April of 1929.
- Irwell Colliery Band
- Active in 1925
- Irwell Forge Band (Bury)
- See: Ainsworth Brass Band
- Irwell Old Band
- Active in 1912 and 1932. Won a 50 Guineas Challenge Shield at the National Championships at the Crystal Palace in 1913, the shield being presented to the band at Pendleton Town Hall by John Henry Iles, the contest director.
- Irwell Old Prize Band
- See: Irwell Old Band
- Irwell Springs (Bacup) Band
- Formed in 1864 under the baton of G. Law. The band rose to prominence in the early years of the 20th Century under a number of professional conductors including Edwin Swift, Alexander Owen, William Rimmer and William Halliwell. It won the National Championships in 1905, 1908 and 1913 and the British Open in 1905. Disbanded in 1960.
See Irwell Springs Band information - part of the
Bacup Times website.
In the minutes book of Irwell Springs Band, when the first players were being recruited, is the entry - "NAME: L. Hey, CHOICE OF INSTRUMENT: Aught."
- Irwell Street Mission Prize Band (Salford)
- Formed in 1893.
- Irymple Brass Band (Sunraysia area, Australia)
- Founded in 1907, merged with the Stubbs Band in 1909 to form the present-day Mildura District Brass Band
- Isle's Hanham Brass Band (Bristol)
- Active in 1864, when they took part in the processions celebrating the official opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
- Isleham Band
- Formed in 1903. A news report from July 1904: "Isleham band furnishes a striking example of what can be accomplished by steady and determined work. It was only formed a year ago but has become an important and appreciated institution. Its members have had to work hand and faced their first public performance on the occasion of the Harvest Festival last October with trepidation. Recently they have given short open-air sacred concerts on the green on Sunday evenings after the services at the various places of worship. It is to be hoped that their success will stir up the inhabitants of other villages,"
- J
- J.L.B. Brass Band (Manchester)
- Active in 1934.
- Jack Guy's Skipton Mission Band
- See: Skipton Properties Band
- Jaguar Car Works Band
- Active in the late 1950s and early 1960s
- Jaguar Cars (City of Coventry) Band
- See: City of Coventry Band
- James' Foundry Company Brass Band (Walsall)
- Active in 1865, when they played at the Cottage Hospital Gala in August.
- Jamestown & Vale of Leven Silver Band
- Active between 1890-1931
- Jarrow Borough Band
- Formed in the 1890s and still active in 1935.
- Jayess (Queensbury) Band
- Formed in the early 1980s. Merged with the Jayess '87 Band to form the Yorkshire Co-operatives Band in 1998
- Jayess '87 Band
- Formed in the late 1980s. Merged with the Jayess (Queensbury) Band to form the Yorkshire Co-operatives Band in 1998
- Jervis Band (Jarrow)
- See: Palmer's Prize Band
- Jewish Lads' Brigade Brass Band (Manchester)
- Active around 1912
- John Dickinson (Apsley) Band (Hemel Hempstead)
- Formed in 1888, earlier known as Dickinson's Silver Band, consisting of employees of the paper makers John Dickinson & Co of Apsley. The Company eventually withdrew their support, and the band changed its name to the Hemel Hempstead Band, in recognition of the support extended to them by the Borough Council. This continued until sponsorship was gained from Atlas Copco Compressors Ltd, becoming the Atlas Copco (Dacorum) Band. In August 1986 the band amalgamated with the Berkhamsted and Boxmoor Band to form the Atlas Copco Band.
1932 - Chipperfield, Hertfordshire. The RAOB had chosen to come to St Paul's Church for their annual Sunday Festival. The assembled brethren represented a large number of lodges from quite a wide area and, in spite of the threatening weather, the group numbered just one short of a hundred. The group assembled in the Church Institute (now the Village Hall) at 3 p.m. and paraded through the village led by Dickinson's Silver Band. At 4 p.m. a service was held in the church. Following this, they processed to the war memorial, led by the cross-bearer, vicar and choir and a wreath was laid there. The finale was most impressive. A senior brother ordered the circle of men to link arms and on the command 'Count', each member in succession called out his number in the chain up to 99. The band played Handel's 'Largo' and the line broke up and dispersed.
- John Laing (Hendon) Band
- See: Hendon Band
- John Summers & Sons Steelworks Band (Chester)
- Amalgamated with the Connahs Quay Silver Prize Band in 1972 to form the new Deeside Silver Band
- John Thompson Works Prize Band (Wolverhampton)
- Active in 1920s through 1940s. In the 20s and 30s it was known as the Band of the 6th Battalion South Staffs Regiment. After WW2 it was known as the John Thompson Works Band.
- John Waddington Band
- See: Yorkshire Evening Post Band
- John White Footwear Band (Rushden)
- Formed in 1954, disbanded in 1957. Made its broadcasting debut in 1955 with a concert relayed from the Parish Rooms in Higham Ferrers, George Thompson conducting.
- Jones & Crossland Band
- Jubilee Band
- See: Halliwell Prize Brass Band
- Junction Street Sunday School Band (Derby)
- Junction Works and Victoria Tube Works Band (Wolverhampton)
- Active in 1862
- K
- Kaikorai Brass Band (New Zealand)
- Active in 1904
- Katanning Brass Band (Australia)
- Active in 1950
- Keal Cotes Brass Band (Lincolnshire)
- Active around 1910
- Kearby Social Brass Band (Netherby)
- Active in 1908
- Kearsley Public Band (Manchester)
- Active in the 1920s and 1930s
- Kearsley Silver Band (Manchester)
- See: Kearsley St Stephens Band
- Kearsley St Stephens Band
- Formed in 1869. In December 1867 the Parish Notes of St Stephen's Church record that "On December 17th a miscellaneous entertainment, in aid of the School Fund was given by gentlemen amateurs, who most kindly and spontaneously offered their services. The managers of the School tender them their hearty thanks". The next mention is the following Whitsun. "On the 5th June 1868 the Whitsuntide procession was headed by the Royal Hulme Brass Band and 'our own drum and fife band". In May 1869 it was minuted, "A brass band is also being formed, which has met with such liberal support already from the above Schools as renders it certain that success will attend all of its promoters. The following are the subscriptions already received: Mr Blair Esq - £10; Clifton and Kearsley Coal Company - £7; Wm Tonge - £4 and 4 shillings; Wm Welsby - £3 and 15 shillings; Wm Jones - £3 and 15 shillings; Mr Steward - £1; Mr Johnson - £1; Mrs Baker - 11 shillings and 6 pence; Mr Joseph Grundy - 10 shillings; Mr D Taylor - 10 shillings; Mr Charles Hollows - 5 shillings; Mr Dennis Lever - 5 shillings; Mr James Grundy - 5 shillings; Mr Richard Edwardes - 5 shillings; Mr Barnet Fyles - 5 shillings." Further subscriptions were made in July and a Tea Party was held on the 16th August. Were an audience spent an 'unusually pleasant evening'. In September of 1869 it was noted that the brass band contributed very largely to the entertainment of the Wakes Tea Party. Soon after the band was founded they appointed an aptly named Mr Blower as their first musical instructor. The band changed to Kearsley Silver Band sometime during the 1940's. In 1951 they competed in the 4th section North West regional championships at the Victoria Hall, Bolton. In 1961 disaster struck the band, there was a blaze at the bandroom destroying the entire music library of the band and several instruments. The band was already in debt and the band treasurer said that they were facing a total bill of £900 for repairs and replacement of instruments, there was 'no hope' for the future existence of the band. Band President Robert Smith was more upbeat however, saying 'we have a lot of young members. With their enthusiasm I am sure we shall overcome this setback'. The bands saviour took the shape of Eaton Truck Components on Worsley Road North. Eaton agreed a sponsorship deal with the band and with a lot of hard work and the help of other local bands, chiefly Walkden Band who lent them the use of several instruments and a big street drum, the band managed to pull through. They changed the bands name to Eaton Works Band and moved into the works canteen for rehearsals. Also known as Eaton (Truck Components) Band and Eaton Transmission Gear Group Band. Due to falling numbers of players they merged with Farnworth Old Band in 1991 under the new name of Eaton Farnworth Brass Band.
- Kedleston Street Brass Band (Derby)
- Active in the early 1900s. Secretary - F.W. Lewis of 43 Sherwin Street; Bandmaster - T.A. Bailey
- Kegworth Brass Band
- Active in the late 1920s and 1930s
- Keighley Brass Band
- Formed in the 1840s by Benjamin and William Marriner, owners of the Greengates Mill. Two euphonium players around 1900 were Myles Riley and Herbert Riley. In a competition of bass players at the Crystal Palace in 1861 (the prize being a sonorophone contre-bass in E flat, with rotary valves), five players entered the lists, and the prize was eventually awarded to a bass player of the Keighley Band, who played a double B flat trombone of his own invention. The Manchester Guardian said: "This portion of the competition greatly excited the risible faculties of the assembly. The unwieldy instruments, the gruff and deep tones they emitted, the elephantine gambols they were made to execute, and the earnestness of the players, made the scene irresistibly comic." They competed in the Barnoldswick Contest in 1886. The band was still active around 1980.
- Keighley Mariners Band
- See: Keighley Brass Band
- Kellaway Prize Brass Band
- Active in the early 1900s
- Kellingley Colliery Band (Knottingley)
- Formed in June 1981 from a small nucleus of former Lofthouse Colliery Band members. The band then progressed, providing musical opportunities for the youngsters of the mining community.
- Kelso Silver Band
- Active in the 1950s
- Kelty & Blairadam Band (Scotland)
- Formed prior to 1895, when they won the Second Section in the first Scottish Championships, conducted by John Gladney. Over 8,000 followers of the 22 competing bands attended this event which was held in Edinburgh's Waverley Market. Facilities in the market were primitive. There was no seating. Bands performed standing in the ring used by the cattle auctioneers with spectators on stepped terraces. The major advantage of the venue was its proximity to Edinburgh's main line railway station. Most bands and their supporters made their way to the Championships by train, the railway specials to the Championships being the first organised railway excursions to any event in Scotland. The Kelty & Blairadam Band merged with Cowdenbeath Band in 1999 to form Kingdom Brass.
- Kempston Town Band (Bedfordshire)
- Active in 1905
- Kendal Borough Band
- On Saturday July 19, 1912, to celebrate the Co-op jubilee, nearly 3,000 children took part in a parade through the town, starting from New Road and finishing in Town View Field. The Morecambe Silver Band met the special trains at Kendal Station and the children were marched to New Road, where a procession was formed with the younger ones being carried on charabancs and lorries. "Once tea was served, the adults were admitted to take part in the festivities and, during that period, the Kendal Borough Band played "pleasing selections" of music. Active until at least 1941
- Kendal Mechanics Band
- Active in 1853.
- Kenilworth Town Band
- Active in 1902. Folded at the end of 1954 when most of its players transferred to Leamington and formed the Royal Leamington Spa Silver Band being joined by a few members of Cubbington Band and Bishops Itchington Imperial Band.
- Kennedy's Swinton Concert Band
- See: Swinton Concert Brass
- Kensington Silver Band
- Active in the 1950s
- Kensworth Brass Band (Bedfordshire)
- Formed in 1919 by Francis Domino Bowles, of 'Bleak Hall' in the village, who bought all the instruments and uniforms, and trained the players. The band continued until the late 1930s when it folded.
- Kent Brass (Maidstone)
- Active in the 1970s and 1980s. Rehearsed at the Fountain pub in Barming, near Maidstone. Kent Youth Brass also existed.
- Kent's Works Silver Band (Luton)
- Still active in the 1970s, they were attached to George Kent Ltd. (electrical components) factory. Went on to become Longland Brass, named after the association with Ted Longland. The band survived into the 1980's. They eventually became High Town Brass because they rehearsed in an area of Luton called High Town.
- Kepston Q Fab Whitburn Brass Band
- Active in the 1990s
- Kernow Brass (Cornwall)
- The word "Kernow" is a word in the Cornish language that means "Cornwall". A group of bandsmen decided to form a new Mid-Cornwall band in 1981. Instruments were purchased and rehearsals began under the baton of Stanley Penhaligon, he being taken over by Mike Faro. In 1983 a new conductor was appointed, Alan Slaughter, a Royal Marines musician. He stayed until 1994 when Mike Faro came back to fill in until a more permenant person could take on the job. That person was David Pope, who now conducts the Bugle Band. Kernow Brass contested almost from day one, with the last competative appearance being in 2000 at the Bugle Festival. They do appear to have had a successful 20 years so why did they disband? Probably because they never had a home of their own, and the way modern bands function, this need is extremely important.
- Kerse Brass Band (Ayrshire)
- Active in 1879, when 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.
- Kettering Rifles Band
- Active in 1910, when the Bandmaster was T.R. Preston and the Secretary, E.R. James
- Kettering Town Band
- Active in 1898. Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Kettering Town Prize Band
- See: Kettering Town Band
- Kettering Victoria Mission Band
- See: Victoria Mission Band
- Kew City Band (Australia)
- Founded in 1890, amalgamated with the East Kew Citizens' Band to form the present-day Kew Band
- Keyworth Brass Band (Nottinghamshire)
- Active in 1925
- Keynsham Town Band
- Formed in the early 1900s, but disbanded in 1975 (replaced by new band in 1980)
- Kibblesworth Colliery Band (County Durham)
- Formed in the 1890s and still active in 1947. Probably folded in the 1960s
- Kidderminster Brass Band
- Formed in 1980, folded somewhere around 1990.
- Kidderminster Excelsior Band
- Active in 1869
- Kidderminster Old Band
- Active in 1869.
- Kidderminster Saxhorn Band
- Active in 1869
- Kidlington Silver Band
- Active until 1992 when it merged with Oxford Concert Brass to form Kidlington Concert Brass
- Kidsgrove Band
- Active in the 1870s
- Kidsgrove Excelsior Band
- Active in 1874. n 1876 brass band competition was held at the beautifully wooded grounds of Oxley Manor, Wolverhampton. Crowds of people lined the Stafford Road to see the event and a jolly time was had by all, thanks to the benevolence of the owner of land, the M.P. Alexander Staveley Hill. After the prize giving, won by the Kidsgrove Real Excelsior Band, the entertainments went on into the evening with "Old English pastimes", and dancing. The band competed in the British Open in 1934
- Kidsgrove Real Excelsior Band
- See: Kidsgrove Excelsior Band
- Kidwelly Brass Band (Carmarthenshire)
- Kilbirnie and Glengarnock Brass Band
- Active in 1904, when the members of the Band presented their leader, Mr Andrew McCallum, with a silver mounted baton. Mr James Houston presided at the ceremony and Mr James Fyfe made the presentation.
- Kilburn Brass Band (Derbyshire)
- Active in 1902
- Kilburne Colliery Band (Derbyshire)
- Played at the annual tea meeting at the colliery in August 1862
- Kildwick Brass Band
- Active in 1889. Took part in the Friendly Societies' Gala at Keighley in 1907
- Kilkhampton Brass Band (Cornwall)
- Kilkhampton can be found about 5 miles north of Bude and from 1866 to 1890 their band was certainly carrying out engagements in the North Cornwall area. Whilst there are many references to their activities, not once is a conductor mentioned. They did no contesting.
- Kilmarnock Laigh Kirk Band
- The band's records, 1855-1877, are held in the Ayrshire Archives
- Kilnsey Band (Yorkshire)
- Kilsyth Brass Band
- See: Kilsyth Town Band
- Kilsyth Miners Welfare Band (Scotland)
- Active in 1948
- Kilsyth Town Band (Scotland)
- Active in 1928
- Kilve Band (Somerset)
- Active in 1909
- Kilwinning Brass Band
- Active in 1872, when they participated in the celebrations for the opening of the new Orange Hall in Irvine.
- Kilwinning Iron Works Band
- Active in 1872, when they participated in the celebrations for the opening of the new Orange Hall in Irvine.
- Kineton Brass Band (Warwickshire)
- King Cross Band (Halifax)
- Active around 1900-1920. In 1905, their band room was next to the Trafalgar Inn, Halifax.
- King Cross British Legion Band (Halifax)
- King Cross Prize Band
- See: King Cross Band
- King Sutton Temperance Brass Band (Northants)
- Active in1886
- King's Cross Band
- See: King's Cross Subscription Prize Brass Band
- King's Cross Subscription Prize Brass Band
- In 1911 the band was refused the right to bear the title "Royal". Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s as King's Cross Band
- King's Dyke and Whittlesey Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Kings Heath Band (Birmingham)
- Assisted the newly formed Shirley Town Band in engagements in the early 1920s. Believed to have gone out of existence in the 1950s.
- King's Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital Band (Blackpool)
- Active around 1915
- Kings Langley School Brass Band (Hertfordshire)
- Kings Lynn Imperial Silver Band
- See: Surrey Street Mission Band
- Kings Lynn Police Band (Norfolk)
- Active in 1880s
- Kings Lynn Railway Band
- Active around 1910
- Kings Nympton Band (Devon)
- Kings Somborne Temperance Band (Hampshire)
- Active in the 1890s and 1935
- King's Sutton Brass Band
- Active in the late 1890s
- Kingsbridge Band
- Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
- Kingsbridge Subscription Band (Devon)
- Robert Carter, of Garden Mill, later Shindle Mill, was said to be Bandsmaster, late 19th century. He was also a solo cornet player at concerts in Kingsbridge Town Hall.
- Kingston Band (Ferring, Sussex)
- Kingston Brass Band (Dorset)
- The village had a band, paid for by the Third Earl of Eldon, lord of that manor.
- Kingston Cotton Mills Band (Hull)
- See: Hull Kingston Cotton Mills Band
- Kingston Lisle United Brass Band (Berkshire)
- Active in the 1900s. Documents relating to the band are in Tom Brown’s School Museum, Uffington
- Kingston Mills Band (Cheshire)
- Based at a cotton mill in Hyde, Cheshire, and formed by the mill owner, Henry Clayton, commenced contesting in 1872 and, by 1888, had won many prizes including a hat-trick at the British Open in 1885, 1886 and 1887 under the baton of John Gladney. By 1890 it was earning fabulous sums from its contesting and concert giving. It fell upon poor times after 1901 and, after the Second World War, a nucleus of the remaining members formed the Hyde British Legion Band. In 1896, the secretary was Thomas Ogden, and in 1902 it was John Knowles. A picture of the band shows it with a drum stating "1837-1897" implying the band was formed in 1837.
- Kingston Unity Band (Leeds)
- Kingsville Brass Band (Melbourne, Australia)
- Founded in 1910. Amalgamated with the Yarraville Citizens Brass Band in 1921 to form the Kingsville-Yarraville Citizens Band
- Kingsville-Yarraville Citizens Band (Melbourne, Australia)
- Founded in 1921 by the merger of Kingsville Brass Band and Yarraville Citizens Brass Band. Merged with the Footscray City Band in 1961 to form the current Footscray-Yarraville City Band.
- Kingswood & District Band (Kingswood, Surrey)
- Kingswood Evangel Mission Band
- See: Kingswood Evangel Prize Silver Band
- Kingswood Evangel Prize Silver Band (Kingswood, Bristol)
- Formed in 1881 to aid the work of the local Salvation Army, but when required to sign the SA Band Rules, in 1888, they declined and formed the Evangel Mission Band instead. Competed in the 2nd Annual Open Brass Band Festival at the Wesley Central Hall, Portsmouth (organised by the Portsmouth City Fire Brigade Prize Band), on Saturday 16th September 1950. Competed in the 1962 West of England Regional Championships, conducted by W.S. Smith.
- Kingswood and District Band (Bristol)
- Formed in 1958. Later known as Potters Wood Kingswood Hill Bristol Silver Band (1960s), Kingswood (Potters Wood) Silver Band (1966), Bendix Kingswood Band (1976-2006), and Kingswood (Bristol) Band (to 2007). It amalgamated with the Albion Dockyard Silver Band in 1966 and then with the Bristol East Band in 2007 to form the Bristol East and Kingswood Band.
- Kingswood & Hanham British Legion Band
- Competed in the 2nd Annual Open Brass Band Festival at the Wesley Central Hall, Portsmouth (organised by the Portsmouth City Fire Brigade Prize Band), on Saturday 16th September 1950.
- Kingswood (Potters Wood) Silver Band
- See: Kingswood and District Band
- Kingswood (Bristol) Band
- See: Kingswood and District Band
- Kingswood Town Band (Bristol)
- Active in 1933, when it took part in a festival of brass bands at the Colston Hall, Bristol.
- Kington Temperance Band (Kington Magna, Dorset)
- Active in the 1860s - engaged by the Gillingham Total Abstinence Society
- Kinneil Colliery Silver Band
- Active in 1958, when it competed in the Glasgow Charities Contest, winning the "Second Section Cup" and coming third in the open contest, playing "New World Symphony" by Dvorak.
- Kirkcaldy Trades Band
- Active in 1885 when they were placed third in the first recorded Brass Band Contest in Scotland, which took place at Wemyss Castle Estate near Kirkcaldy, Fife in July 1885. A first prize of £40 and a travel grant of £10 was enough to lure the champion band of England, Besses O' Th' Barn from Lancashire to compete. Besses Band won the contest and also won the subsidiary event, a March Contest, for which they received another £2. Alloa Burgh Band were placed second and the Kirkcaldy Trades Band third.
- Kirkburton Old Band (Yorkshire)
- Founded in 1821
- Kirkburton Temperance Band (Yorkshire)
- Kirkburton Victoria Band (Huddersfield)
- Kirkby-in-Ashfield Band
- See Kirkby Silver Band . See also Kirkby Colliery Band
- Kirkby Colliery Band
- In 1927 the miners of Summit Colliery, Kirby-in-Ashfield, offered to pay a bond of one old penny per ten working men to help develop a band once more (following the demise of the earlier Kirky Silver Band. A deal was agreed with the colliery owners and the band was on its way again but this time as a 'colliery band'. During the 1930s the band began to contest in the 4th Section. A third place in the national finals ensured promotion to the 3rd Section. In 1940, however, the band closed down as a result of the Second World War. Many of the players, being colliery and railway men, had extra work due to the war effort and others were lost on active service. Instruments were put into storage for safe keeping. In 1944 the instruments were returned as the war came to an end. With the nationalization of the coal industry came the formation of the 'Coal Industry Social and Welfare Organisation' (CISWO) which promoted contests for mining bands and helped spread the news that the brass band movement was a worthy institution. Luckily, the Summit miners realized what potential they had close to home and in 1949 they were presented with their own band room. In 1962 the band folded. A successor band was formed in 1970 following the closure of the Summit Colliery itself in 1969. See also Kirkby Silver Band
- Kirkby Cross & Great Holland Brass Band
- See Great Holland Brass Band
- Kirkby Old Band
- Active in 1953. Competed in a brass band contest at Overseal, Leicestershire in July 1921, under conductor Angus Holden (drawn 11 of 11 bands, they were placed first)
- Kirkby Silver Band
- In 1887 the Butterley Brick Company purchased land in Kirkby and the main pit shaft of the 'Summit Colliery' was sunk. The mine survived for 82 years, finally closing in 1969. In 1897 a band known as the Kirkby Silver Band was formed and its members consisted mainly of surface workers and office staff from the mine. Those who worked underground were given 'free time' for rehearsals and band engagements. Rehearsals were held at the local Tabernacle Church on Lowmoor Road. The band broke up in 1924 and very little memorabilia exists from that time.
- Kirkby Stephen Silver Band
- Active in the 1870s
- Kirkcaldy Band
- Active in 1894
- Kirkham Subscription Prize Brass Band (Lancashire)
- Active in 1910. From the obituary of Joseph Kirby, who died in March 1910: "It is with the most profound regret & sorrow we record the death of Mr. Joseph Kirby of Freckleton St., Kirkham, which sad event took place at the Moss Side Fever Hospital. Ever since it became known of the dangerous character of the disease with which he was afflicted, there were numerous anxious inquiries day by day, by a host of friends in the town and surrounding districts. When the sad news was announced on Saturday, it cast quite a gloom over the whole community, and where ever there were two or three gathered together, it became the sole topic of conversation. ....... The deceased had for several years, been one of the most prominent members of the Kirkham Subscription Prize Brass Band, and was one of the best trombone players in the country, having won prizes at Blackpool, Wigan and elsewhere. The interment took place in the churchyard of the Kirkham Parish Church, the remains being borne to their last resting place by members of the band. The bells at the Parish Church were muffled. It was at the express wish of Mr. Kirby that the band did not play at the funeral, but it is stated they will render sacred selections at the graveside on Sunday afternoon. "
- Kirkheaton Band
- Active in 1883
- Kirkless (NCB) Band (Wigan)
- See: Standish Band
- Kirkstall Brass Band (Leeds)
- Active in 1866 and 1905
- Kirkstall Forge Band (Yorkshire)
- Kirkstall Prize Band
- Active in 1870
- Kirkstall Tannery Band (Yorkshire)
- Kirkwall Town Band (Orkney)
- There are references to the Kirkwall Town Band in The Orcadian archive as long back as 1890 when the conductor was a Mr Robert (Bob) Spence who was a popular local figure and proprietor of the Kirkwall store "Cumming and Spence.". The minutes of the Kirkwall Town band's meetings for the years 1929 - 1954 are in the Orkney Archive. From research there it is clear that the band at that time had the instrumentation of a traditional brass band but with the addition of clarinets. The band stopped during the years of the Second World War and the instruments given over to the Kirkwall Branch of the Salvation Army. There were moves to reform the band in 1945 and by January of 1947 the band began again. There is a letter in the archive from Capt. Chas. A. Geleit of the Salvation Army Headquarters in London thanking the band for the use of their instruments during the war years, which allowed visiting servicemen to come and blow. There are records of concerts as late as 1957 but sometime after that date the band stopped. The band's minutes, 1945-1951, and a file relating to the Band, 1927-1954, are held in the Orkney Archives. A successor band was established in 1973.
- Kirriemuir Town Band (Angus)
- It should be placed on record that there was once a Brass Band in Kirriemuir although little remains of its history. In the late 1800s Kirriemuir had plenty musical activity in which the Volunteer Band "alternating between Brass and Flute as the spirit moved" played an important part. The Bandmaster was James Lamb, the oldest of three brothers "all noted bandmasters", the other brothers being associated with Forfar and Brechin bands. "Circumstances arose in 1903 which led to the Volunteer Band being dispensed with" according to published documents available to the writer. It was, however, replaced by the Town Band consisting of a "full compliment" of twenty-four players, funds being raised by public subscription. The Band was successful at the time having played in the streets and public parks during the season and eventually being granted permission to give Sunday concerts. It was "reconstructed" in 1928, whatever that means, and managed to stay active until 1934. After two years during which efforts were made to get the Band going again some action was needed. The Kirriemuir Free Press of 4th June 1936 records that a meeting was to be called by Provost Doig with the object of winding up the band and placing its assets in trust. On July 2nd the same newspaper announced that the Kirriemuir Town Band had been formally wound up. One player, Alan Reid, (the writer's first teacher when he joined Forfar Instrumental Band) came to Forfar at once. The following year he is credited with organising a concert in Kirriemuir in which Forfar played a major part. Since then players from Kirriemuir have found a home in Forfar and the Forfar band has played a part in the musical life of Kirriemuir. Way back in the 1960s the Kirriemuir instruments, mostly in a rather sorry state, were "lent" to Forfar, who paid for the repair of those that were useable as reserve or learner's instruments.
As recently as 1999 the remaining assets of the Kirriemuir Town Band were ceded to Forfar Instrumental Band. Forfar continues to welcome players from Kirriemuir and plays there several times a year. (Source: J Bruce Dorward, Secretary Forfar Instrumental Band)
- Kirton Brass Band (Lincolnshire)
- Active in 1906
- Kiveton Park Band
- See: Kiveton Park Colliery Band
- Kiveton Park Colliery Band (Rotherham)
- Active around 1890/1900
- Knapp's Silver Band (Clanfield)
- The band was formed of workers at the Knapp's Foundry Works. Active in 1910
- Knighton Brass Band
- Active from the early 1900s and folded before WW2. A successor band was formed in 1945
- Knightswood Silver Band (Glasgow)
- Active in 1928, 1933, conducted by John McBride
- Knottingley (Bagleys) Glass Works Band
- Also known as Bagley's (Bottle Works) Brass Band (?)
- Knowle Green Brass Band (Lancashire)
- Originally formed by young men working at White Carr Mill in 1872. The Band used the schoolroom for practices from 1889 and in 1891 requested a reduction in the rent, which was 1/- per week. The Church meeting decided that if the band became a temperance band they could use the room free, if not they would have to continue to pay 30/- a year. The decision was not recorded but years later in reports of school treats and annual field days the Preston Guardian was still referring to Knowle Green Brass Band so presumably it did not change. In 1902 the Preston Guardian reported it as playing at a Knowle Green social which raised £10 towards the cost of a piano. In June 1911 they played in Longridge for the Coronation celebrations (George V and Queen Mary). After 1913 there seems to be no further mention of the band - presumed to have folded before or during WW1.
- Knutsford & Alderley Band
- Competed in the Senior Cup in 1962.
- Knutton Forge Prize Band
- Active in 1886, when it competed at Eastham, Liverpool, conducted by Joseph Lewis.
- Kokatahi Band (New Zealand)
- First formed in 1910 at the old Kokatahi Hotel. Two years later the hotel burned down and the records of the formative years of the band were lost. The band existed until at least 1970
- Krumlin Mills Band (Halifax)
- Active in 1936
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gavin@ibew.co.uk
