---

D

D Company Band, 2nd Volunteer Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment

See: Rugeley Company Band

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 1869, 1887, 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)

Active in 1879. A small brass ensemble.

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)

Won the selection contest held in Doncaster at the Salutation Inn on 14 April 1900 . Active in 1931. Competed in the Junior Shield in 1962, conducted by E. Foster. Active in 1965

Dannemora Steelworks Band

See: Dannemora Steel Works Brass Band

Dapto Brass Band (Australia)

Active in 1910

Darcy Lever Band (1) (Bolton)

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 (2) (Bolton)

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 Brass Band

Active in 1863 to 1895.

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. Seven of its members were of the Skaife family and five others were Housemans. 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. Rename Darley Silver Band by the 1940s. When it was in a low period in 1936 Walter Aldon bought new uniforms to boost the morale. As with all the other bands it ceased to function during the war but re-formed in time to play for the opening of the Memorial Hall in 1947. 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. Railway Band

See: Darlington N.E.R. Brass 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 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 Sons of Temperance Brass Band

Active in 1879

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 Silver Prize Band (Kent)

Active in 1911

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 Borough Prize Band

See: Darwen Temperance Band

Darwen Rifle Corps Band

Active in 1867

Darwen Temperance Band

Formed 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 (Colchester)

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)

Active in 1856

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 (Telford)

Formed some time after the 1970s and was still active in the 1990s

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. Still active in 1952.

Dawley Green Band

Active in 1859

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 Band (County Durham)

Formed in the early 1900s and still active in 1947

Deaf Hill Colliery Miners' Welfare Band

See: Deaf Hill Colliery Band

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

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.

Dearham Church of England Band (Cumberland)

Active in 1892

Debenham Brass Band (1) (Suffolk)

Active in 1887 to 1896

Debenham Brass Band (2) (Suffolk)

Active in the 1960s. At a British Legion parade in 1978 the solo comet player Ted Perry collapsed and died. The parade tried to carry as best they could but the evening's concert was cancelled.

Debenham Volunteer Band (Suffolk)

Active in 1900

Deddington Brass Band (Oxfordshire)

Active in the late 1800s

Dedham Band

Formed in 1899 and still active in 1906

Deighton Brass Band (Huddersfield)

Active in the 1860s and 1894

Deighton Mills Band (Yorkshire)

Competed in the Crystal Palace contest in July 1860, conducted by P. Robinson, playing a selection from "Ernani".

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

See: Denaby Main Brass Band

Denaby Main Ambulance Band

See: Denaby Main Brass Band

Denaby Main Brass Band (Doncaster)

Active in 1871 to 1895

Denbigh Borough Band

Denby Dale Brass Band

Active in 1896 - also in the 1930s to 1960s

Denby United Silver Prize Band (Yorkshire)

Formed 1922

Denholme Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1873

Denholme Subscription Band (Yorkshire)

Denman's Head Band (Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire)

Active in 1864 when it combined with the Scott & Limb's Band. It practiced in the Denman's Head Inn. At the time of the merger the players included: B Scott (conductor of Scott & Limb's), Jas. Handley, E. Dennis, S Cauldwell, H. Oscroft, E. Handley, S. Hall, W. Green, A. Caunt J. Naylor (well-known as "Spring"), W. Bryan, G. Scott S. Oldham, J. Searson, E. Limb, and Jos. Dennis (conductor of Denman's Head).

Dennison's Borough Band

See: St Hilda Colliery Band

Dennison's Family Band

See: St Hilda Colliery Band

Denshaw Brass Band

Denshaw Orchestral Band and Denshaw Reed Band both existed before 1900.

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 Brass Band

Active in 1863 and 1866 when it played at the Foresters' Fete at the Crystal Palace.

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, still active in 1952.

Derby Derwent Silver Prize Band

Formed in the 1920s

Derby Police Band

See: Derby Borough Police Brass Band

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.

Derby Sax Tuba Prize Band

Active in 1889 and around 1900

Derby United Prize Band

Active in 1891 when it played at Etwall Horticultural Show

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.

Deri Brass Band (Near Bargoed)

Active around the 1890s

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.

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.

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.

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)

Active in 1857

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 & Barlow Moor Brass Band (Manchester)

Active in 1882

Didsbury Brass Band

Active in 1881. 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 Brass Band

Active in 1895

Dingle Band (Liverpool)

Active in 1938

Dingwall Town Band (Ross)

Active in 1890

Dipton Brass Band

See: Dipton Colliery Band

Dipton Colliery Band (Newcastle)

Active in 1883 to 1886

Disley Band (Cheshire)

Active in 1850

Diss Brass Band

Active in 1833

Diss Town Band

Active in 1907

Ditton Brass Band (Widnes)

Active in 1887

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 1880 and 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 Brass Band

Active in 1872

Doncaster Britannia Silver Prize Band

Active in 1930

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 National Union of Railwaymen Band

See: Doncaster NUR Band

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 Institute Band

Presumed to have been formed in the late 1800s and folding before 1900. In 1902, William Lawrence, a talented euphonium and violin player already with an excellent reputation, offered his services and the Donnington Wood Institute Band was resurrected. He became bandmaster and in September 1904 the band won the Quickstep contest at St Georges Wakes. They entered more competitions during the next few years, achieving several placings but never a first. In 1907 the band was catastrophically unplaced in a competition at Shrewsbury which led to William Lawrence appealing to his band to 'think musically'. They did. In June 1908 they won the County Championship and arrived home very late. The people of Donnington Wood were woken up by the band playing 'See the conquering hero comes!' as they strolled along the dark lanes back to The Bell. The band went on to win more competitions, including the County Championship an unprecedented four times in succession. St Georges Temperance Band made an official objection to the result of the 1910 competition but their appeal was rejected; in an act of mischievous jubilation, the Donnington Wood Band gave an impromptu performance at the crossroads in St Georges, rubbing salt into a very open wound. The rivalry between the (by that time) three St Georges bands and the Donnington Wood Brass Band continued for several years. The outbreak of the First World War brought an end to the Donnington Wood Brass Band. Many of its members perished during the war. The band was revived for a short time in 1924, again under the leadership of William Lawrence. He died in December that year and was buried in St Matthew's Churchyard. The band played him out. William's son, also named William, took up the reins of office and, despite another ten years or so of public appearances, things were never the same and the band eventually ceased to function. A last attempt to resurrect failing fortunes occurred during the 1940s under the leadership of Tom Dodd, without success.

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.

Dorchester Prison Guard Band

Active in the early 1900s

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. In the book "Dickens' Christmas", a collection of articles either by Dickens himself or writers of the same generation, there is an item 'Singers from Afar' by Charles Rose and is headed 'This recollection of Charles Rose, a draper from Dorking in Surrey, who was born in 1818 and died in 1879, was published in book form in 1878 and looks back to a time ranging from the days of George the 4th to the earliest days of Victoria's reign (1830s)'. Included in the article is this 'The Dorking Town Band, which at that time favourably compared with the bands of the neighbouring places, heralded the season by playing for some nights previous to Christmas in front of the residences of the principal inhabitants.' and 'Christmas Day was ushered in by the ringing of the church bells and the strains of the band. The tunes of the latter were usually of a sacred character, but I remember the band playing on one or two Christmas mornings, forty or forty five years ago (1835?) the tune 'Get up! Get up! And put the Pudding in the Pot'.'

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

Dove Valley Brass Band

Active around 1910

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. In 1894 it took part in a temperance procession at Downend on July 11th.

Downhall Green Brass Band (Bolton)

Active in the 1930s

Dr Bell's School Band (Leith, Edinburgh)

Founded in 1926.

Drakelow Mission Chapel Brass Band (Worcestershire)

Active in 1912

Drax Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Records of the band, from 1927-1951, are held by York University: Borthwick Institute of Historical Research

Drefach Brass Band

Dresden Victoria Band (Stoke on Trent)

Active in 1882

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 Circuit Brass Band

See: Droxford Methodist Band

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 Band

See: 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 Hill Band (Bradford)

Active in 1881

Dudley Port Prize Band

See: Revo Works Band

Dudley Temperance Band

Active in 1898

Dudley Workmen's Silver Model Prize Band

See: Dudley Colliery Band

Duffield Subscription Prize Band (Derbyshire)

Active in 1935

Dufton Silver Band (Cumberland)

Active in the early 1900s

Duke Street Gospel Mission Band (Workington)

Active around 1910

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

Dungworth Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1911

Dunham Woodhouses Band (Cheshire)

Active in 1930s to 1950s. After WW2 the bandmaster was Waclaw Piekarski, a Pole who had been a guard at the Dunham Massey P.O.W. camp. The band met at the Downs Hotel, Altrincham.

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 Excelsior Silver Prize Band

See: Dunstable Excelsior Prize Band

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.

Durham Union Brass Band (County Durham)

Active in 1869

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 Brass Band (Scotland)

Active in 1864

Dykehead Instrumental Band (Scotland)

Active in 1887

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.

Ealing Fire Service Band

Active in 1941

Earl Shilton Brass Band (Leicestershire)

Active in 1880/82 with conductor J. Smith. James Lynes was conductor in 1893, when known as Earl Shilton Britannia Prize Brass Band. Henry Cook was bandmaster c. 1947

Earl Shilton Britannia Prize Brass Band

See: Earl Shilton Brass Band

Earl Shilton Excelsior Band (Leicestershire)

Active in 1880s. Amalgamated with Earl Shilton Old Band around 1900 to form Earl Shilton United Band.

Earl Shilton Old Band (Leicestershire)

Active in 1880s. Amalgamated with Earl Shilton Excelsior Band around 1900 to form Earl Shilton United Band.

Earl Shilton Silver Prize Band (Leicestershire)

Formed some time after 1918 - Secretary was Arthur Coley in 1936.

Earl Shilton United Band (Leicestershire)

Formed by the amalgamation of Earl Shilton Old Band and Earl Shilton Excelsior Band. It folded after the outbreak of WW1.

Earlestown Viaduct Band

Active in the 1900s and 1930s

Earls Barton Britannia Band (Northamptonshire)

Founded in the 1880s by Walter Reynolds.

Earls Barton Old Silver Band (Northamptonshire)

Active in 1914 - Charles Stewart, secretary. Still active in 1933

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 Colne Total Abstinence Band (Essex)

Active in 1895

Earls House Industrial School Band (Witton Gilbert)

Active between 1905 and 1914

Earlsheaton Band (Yorkshire)

Easington Colliery Youth Band

See: Easington Public Band

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.

Easingwold Primitive Methodist Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1887

Easingwold Temperance Band

Active in 1899 when it played at a grand ball in Husthwaite. Isaac Fox was a cornet player and conductor and was band master of the band. When the band folded, sometime before 1930, he became conductor of the Easingwold Town Band.

East Benhar Instrumental Brass Band

Active in 1886

East Berks Brass Band

Active in 1959 andn 1961

East Berks Reading Silver Band

See: East Berks Brass Band

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)

Active in 1929 when it played at the Almondsbury Deanery Moral Welfare Association Garden Fete in Frenchay.

East Compton Prize Band

See: East Compton Band

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 (1)

Active in 1908 - possible rival to Grangewood Silver Band at that time - although the latter was known as East Ham Borough Band at a later date.

East Ham Borough Band (2)

See: Grangewood Silver Band

East Ham Silver Band

See: Grangewood Silver Band

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 Kirkby Miners Welfare Band

Reformed in 1973 - which implies there was an earlier band. Conducter in 1976 was Roy Waters.

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 London Brass Ensemble

See: Grangewood Silver Band

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!

East Stratton Brass Band (Hampshire)

Active in 1887

East Winch Britannia Brass Band (Norfolk)

Active in 1910

East Worcestershire Saxtuba Band (Droitwich?)

Active in 1857

East Yorkshire Brass Band

Active in the early 1920s

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.

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.

Eastbourne Postmen's Band

Active in the early 1900s

Eastbourne Saxhorn Band

Active in 1864, bandmaster Thomas Elliott.

Easter Compton Band (Gloucestershire)

Eastern Counties Railway Brass Band (Stratford, London)

Active in 1857

Easterton Prize Silver Band (Wiltshire)

Eastington Brass Band (Gloucestershire)

Active in 1895 and 1898 when they played at Painswick Flower Show

Eastleigh Railway Brass Band

Active in 1891 - linked to the South Western Railway Institute.

Eastmeon Brass Band (Hampshire)

Active in 1865

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 Greasley Ambulance Band

See: Eastwood Ambulance Band

Eastwood and Greasley Brass Band (Notts)

Active in 1887

Eastwood Mill Band (Keighley)

The mill was owned by Ickringills.

Eastwood Temperance Brass Band (Notts)

Active in 1887

Eaton (Truck Components) Band

See: Kearsley St Stephens Band

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 Works Band

See: Kearsley St Stephens Band

Ebchester Band

Active in 1907

Ebenezer Chapel Band

See: 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 Brass Band (Sheffield)

Active in 1849, playing for the Stannington Whit Monday procession. Played a selection of their favourite quadrilles and airs at the Ecclesfield United Cricket Club opening match in 1860, conductor T. Brown. Mr Jubb was the conductor in 1871, playing at the Grenoside Flower Show in August and also in 1879 at the Chapeltown Floral and Horticultural Show, and also in 1884. Also known as Ecclesfield Old Band in 1872. They folded around 1985.
July 1872 - Discord amongst Ecclesfield musicians: Thomas Jubb, file cutter, of Ecclesfield, was summoned for doing wilful damage to a drum, the property of Wm. Butterworth; moulder, of Ecclesfield, and others. John Jubb Sen., Wm. Joseph and John Jubb, George Hobson, and Samuel Bayles, all of the sFame place, were summoned for aiding and abetting. The defendants were also charged with committing a breach of the peace. Mr. Binney appeared in support of the information, and Mr Clegg defended. The complainant is the bandmaster of the Ecelesfield brass band, and some time ago a dispute took place between the members, which led to a certain number of them, including the defendants Jubb (father and sons), resigning and organising another band. The drum belonging to the band was in the possession of Jubb, senior, but was given up to the complainant on application. Considerable ill feeling existed between the rival bands. On Saturday, 22nd June, the complainant; with the other members of his band, were practising at the Travellers Inn, Ecclesfield common. They afterwards came outside the house, played several tunes, and then marched down the road. While near the door the defendants came up, and John Jubb was heard to ask Hobson if he would "jump on the drum." Thomas and William Jubb were observed to go along the hedge side, and when the band had gone a short distance a witness, named John Briggs, saw the defendant, Thomas Jubb, throw a stone at the drum, making a hole through one side of the parchment and cracking the other. The damage done was estimated at £2 15s. A row ensued, and several of the other defendants came up and, committed assaults upon two or three members of the band, and a most disgraceful scene followed... Twelve witnesses were examined for the complainant in support of these facts... For the defence it was contended that the drum did not belong to the complainant, as it was bought by subscription in 1858, in answer to the following appeal: "The Ecclesfield band of musicians are wishful to improve the practice of their music by giving a right effect to their musical strains, and in order to accomplish this object they are obliged to make an appeal to the gentry," etc. It was also stated that John Jubb, sen., had as much right as any one to the "musical instrument" as he had paid over the money and obtained the receipt from the maker. Several witnesses were called who swore that they did not see Thomas Jubb throw a stone.... At half-past three Mr. Clegg said he had nine other witnesses..... The Bench said they should not sit later than four o'clock, and as Mr. Clegg was of opinion that he could not finish the defence for the second part of the case in that time, an adjournment -until next Tuesday was agreed to.... Previous to this Mr. Binney withdrew the charge of aiding and abetting...... Mr. Atkinson hoped the retaining fee of the professional gentlemen in the case had been heavy, for they had been detained a very long time..... Mr. Chambers, who had been waiting all the forenoon in another case, said the fees of the other professional gentleman would require also to be very heavy.... Two cross-summonses have been taken out, and will be heard next court day.
The following week it was reported:
Mr. Clegg now stated that two friends had met two friends from each party, and had proposed terms of settlement, which his clients were ready to accept, but the other side were not willing. Mr. Binney said the proposals were unreasonable, and his clients could not accede to them. Mr. Atkinson suggested terms of arrangement, and ultimately the summonses were all withdrawn on the defendants paying 25s., being one half the estimated amount of the cost of repairing the drum.

Ecclesfield New Band

Active in 1867 and 1872

Ecclesfield Old Band

See: Ecclesfield Brass Band

Ecclesfield Silver Band

See: Ecclesfield Brass Band

Ecclesfield Silver Prize Band

See: Ecclesfield Brass Band

Eccleshill Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1869 and 1870s. Bandmaster was James Norton.

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

Eckington Works Brass Band (Derbyshire)

Active in 1888, attached to the local iron works.

Eclipse Band (Coalville)

Active in the late 1800s

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 Excelsior Brass Band

Active in the early 1900s

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

See: Egham Temperance Band

Egham Temperance Band

Formed before 1895. Rehearsed at the Technical Institute, Egham Hill until moving to a former furniture depository on Band Lane in 1904. Renamed the Egham & Englefield Green Public Prize Brass Band in 1906, it amalgamated with Egham Town Band in 1919 to form Egham and District Band

Egham Town Band

Formed before 1895. Practised at the back of the Catherine Wheel Hotel, Egham High Street. Merged with Egham and Englefield Public Band in 1919 to form Egham and District Band

Eglinton Iron Works Band (Kilwinning)

Active in 1874. The ironworks was at Blacklands, Kilwinning, Ayrshire.

Ehenside Band (Cumbria)

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 British Legion Band (Cheshire)

See: Ellesmere Port Church Silver Band

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 Public Prize Band (Cheshire)

See: Ellesmere Port Public Prize Band

Ellesmere Road Brass Band (Sheffield)

Active in 1874

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

Ellistown and Hugglescote Band (Leicestershire)

Active in the late 1800s

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

Active in 1876, and also in 1894, when it presented a silver hunting horn to Viscount Milton on the occasion of his coming of age.

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 Band

See: 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.

Enfield Volunteer Rifles Band

Active in 1865

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 Brass Band (Lincolnshire)

Formed in 1873

Epworth Temperance Band

Active in 1845

Erchfont Brass Band

See: Urchfont Prize Brass Band

Ercol Furniture Company Band (High Wycombe)

Active in the 1970s

Erdington Children's Home Band

Active in the early 1900s

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

Essex and Suffolk Brotherhood Brass Band

Active in 1950

Eston Junction Railway Brass Band

Active in 1862

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 the 1920s.

Eston Steel Works Brass Band (Middlesbrough)

Active in 1893

Etherley Silver Band (Bishop Auckland)

Active between 1903 and 1913

Etwall Brass Band

Active in 1852 and 1887. The band rehearsed in Ted Fowkes's father's workshop off Main Street (somewhere in the vicinity of the paper shop) and the drum was kept there among the coffins! The band performed all round the area from the mid 19th century onwards but it seems to have petered out in the 1920s or 30s.

Etwall Excelsior Brass Band

See: Etwall Brass Band

Euxton Brass Band

See: Euxton Town Band

Euxton Town Band

Active in 1849 and 1869/1872

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

Excelsior Juvenile Brass Band (Nottingham)

Active in 1876

Exeter Silver Band

Exmouth Subscription Band

Active in 1881

Exmouth Town Band

Active in 1887

Exmouth Training Ship Band

See: Training Ship Exmouth Brass Band

Eye and Hartismere Yeomanry Band (Suffolk)

Active in the late 1800s - it may have morphed into a town band at a later date.

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 Iron Works Band

Active in 1863

Falkirk Public Band

Active in 1933

Falkirk Trades Band

Active in the early 1900s. In a photograph of 1908 the title is "International Champions". This was quite a feat for the band as it was probably only in the second section at the time. One of several brass bands in the area, Falkirk Trades first appears in the Scottish Amateur Brass Band Association records in 1905 when it took second place in the third section contest. They filled the same spot in 1906 and three years later took fourth spot in the second section; were third in 1913; and won it in 1919. That was the last listing. On June 8, 1910 a meeting of the sub-committee appointed by the Town Council to confer with three members each of the Falkirk Burgh Military Band and the Falkirk Trades Band on the question of amalgamation was held on Tuesday evening in the Burgh Buildings. Councillor Muirhead (convener) presided, and the other members of the sub–committee, Treasurer Wallace and Councillor Sinclair, were also present. After a lengthy discussion, which mainly went to show that an amalgamation of the two bands was unpracticable and unnecessary, the meeting closed without coming to any finding on this subject.

Fallis' Brass Band (Idle)

Active in 1872

Falmouth Foundry Band

Active in 1885

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 Brass Band

Active in 1919

Fareham Excelsior Band

Active in 1878.

Farington Brass Band (Lancashire)

Active in 1892

Farington Subscription Brass Band

See: Farington Brass Band

Farington Mill Subscription Brass Band

See: Farington Brass Band

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. Competed at the Douthwaite Dale contest in 1935

Farndale Silver Band

See: Farndale Brass Band

Farnham Excelsior Band

Active in 1892

Farningham Brass Band

Farningham Home For Little Boys Band (Kent)

Band run at an orphanage in Farningham. Travelled across Britain raising funds for the Home and making wider known the plight of similar homes across the country. Active in the 1880s and 1890s.

Farnley Ironworks (Leeds) Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1896

Farnley Ironworks Band

Active in 1866. At Winterton Agricultural show in 1903, Farnley Iron Works Band provided the programme of music.

Farnley Old Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1891

Farnley Temperance Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1860 to 1893

Farnley Temperance Band

Active in 1892

Farnsfield Brass Band (Nottinghamshire)

Active in 1858

Farnworth Amateur Band

Active in 1883 when they competed in the 1883 Belle Vue contest, coming third.

Farnworth and Kearsley Silver Prize Band

Farnworth New Brass Band

Active in the 1910s and 1920s

Farnworth Old (Barnes') Band

See: Farnworth Old Band

Farnworth Old Band (Lancashire)

Formed in 1848 by Thomas Barnes, a mill owner, and was still active into the 1930s

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 Public Band

Active in 1884

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 Brass Band (Leeds)

Active in 1890 to 1899

Farsley Old Band (Yorkshire)

Fartown Brass Band (Huddersfield)

Active in 1894

Fartown Brass Band (Leeds)

Formed in 1876

Fawr Silver Band

Founded in the 1870s. Its first bandmaster was Evan Davies, who had had previous experience with bands in South Wales. Evan Davies suffered from pains in his thigh, and he walked with a limp. When teaching the band to march he used to hobble along the schoolroom floor with one hand cupped round his lips, singing 'Tara-ra-ra' like a cornet. When the pain occurred he would stop suddenly and cry out, "O, my thigh!!" and so it went on: 'Ta-ra-ra-ra - O, MY THIGH!'. The Waun Fawr band was one of the ten that competed at Pw!then in 1898 when a near riot broke out. Each band was to start from the Crown Hotel and march to the White Hall where they were to form a circle and play the march right through again so thin the adjudicator, who was seated by an open window above them, could hear. Probably through faulty timing. the second band arrived at the White Hall before the first hand had finished. Other bands followed closely. and soon there were five bands blowing furiously and creating a deafening noise as they tried to drown each other. A free fight followed and the instruments became weapons. Nobody won the competition as it was declared void.

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 Temperance Band

Active in 1898

Felling Town Silver Band

Merged with Heworth Colliery Band at some point

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 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

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.

Ferndown Brass Band (Wimborne)

Was active in 1903. A successor band was formed in 1990.

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

Figheldean & Netheravon Band

Active in 1906

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.

Filton Brass Band

Active in 1908 and the 1930s

Finchdean Band (Hampshire)

Active in 1911

Finchley Brass Band

Active in 1891

Finedon Dolben Prize Band

See: Finedon Old Prize Band

Finedon Old Prize Band

Founded in 1877 as Finedon Dolben Prize Band, later renamed the Finedon Old Prize Band. Played for the Duchess of Albany, on the occasion of her visit to Finedon in 1883. 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. On 1st July 1935, the band made a broadcast on the BBC Midland Region. Won the Grand Shield in 1957. Report from Finedon Parish Magazine in 1957: "'And this years champions are the band that played at No 13'. These were the words that proclaimed Finedon Old Band winners of the Grand Shield, at the Spring Brass Band Festival of Great Britain held at Belle Vue, Manchester, on Saturday May 18th. Such was the reward for weeks of hard work and preparation by all the bandsmen and their conductor, Arthur Remmington. The set piece was “Tintagel” by Dr Denis Wright who acted as adjudicator. Being awarded 190 points from a possible 200 speaks. Together with a magnificent shield goes a cash prize of £75 and an Illuminated Diploma, all of which will be presented by A.S.Felton, Esq., of the famous Munn and Felton Works Band, at a concert to be held at the Town Hall on Friday 31st. Mrs T. Neal, president of the band will preside, supported by Mr Geo Clarke, president of the club." The band was wound up in 1959.

Finedon Temperance Band

Formed in 1907 by the Curate the Rev. R.E. Ammand MA and supported by Miss Ellen Mackworth-Dolben. It was a rival band to the Finedon Old Prize Band, in fact, several people played in both bands from time to time. This band was wound up in 1914 and the instruments bought by the Old Prize Band.

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

Five B's Band (Coalville)

The "Best Blooming Band between Burton and Bagworth". (Burton on Trent and Bagworth were places on the Midland Railway on either side of Coalville). Active around 1900.

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

Fleet Silver Band

Active around 1930

Fleet Town Prize Brass Band

Active in 1934

Fleets Colliery Band

Active in 1937

Fleetwood British Legion Band

Active in 1936

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

Flight's City Band (Australia)

See: City of Bendigo Brass 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

Flush Mills Heckmondwike Band

See: Heckmondwike Flush Mills 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)

Foundling Hospital Band (London)

Active in the 1920s

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.

Fovant Band (Wiltshire)

Active in the mid/late 1800s and competed in the 1930s. It continued through until the early 1970s when dwindling numbers caused the band to cease, with the remaining members joining the Shaftesbury Band which was in need of them.

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.

Fowey Town Band

Active in 1893 - "plays twice a week during the summer months on the esplanade"

Fowhope Brass Band (Herefordshire)

Active around 1895

Fownhope Brass Band (Herefordshire)

Active in 1895

Foxdale Brass Band (Isle of Man)

Active in 1888 - conductor George Johnson

Foxhill Bank Band

Active in the 1850s/60s

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

Framlingham Town Band

Active in the late 1800s and through to WW1, having some 20 players by around 1910. Their uniforms were a dark coloured high collared tunic with a single row of buttons and little, if any, gold braiding but with, 'wing epaulettes'. The Bandmaster's tunic was similar but with braiding around the collar and, unusually, tassels hanging from the epaulettes. They all wore Australian type bush hats which, again, was an unusual form of headgear. The Town Band proper was thought to have been established around 1919 and continued until 1939. Apart from special events such as the annual Gala, and going round the streets playing carols at Christmas; they played on Saturday afternoons on Market Hill during the summer and on some Sunday evenings on Castle Meadow. They used to rehearse in a barn at the back of the Castle Inn. In the Oct/Nov issue of 'The Advertiser' in the 1950's there was a headline 'Can the Old Framlingham Town Band be Revived?' Apparently not as it never was - the instruments which had been stored in their practice room had mysteriously disappeared, and they couldn't afford to get more.

Framwellgate Moor Colliery Band (County Durham)

Active in the early 1900s

Friarmere Brass Band

Active in 1852

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

Frizington Town Band (Cumberland)

Active in 1890s

Frome Town Band

Active in 1970

Frosterley Brass Band (1) (County Durham)

Active in 1890 - assumed to have folded before 1898.

Frosterley Brass Band (2) (County Durham)

Formed in 1898 and still active in 1933

Fulbourn and Teversham RBL Band

Founded in 1985. Disbanded in 2010

Fulbourn Hospital Band

Active in the 1880s

Fuller Mission Band (Kettering)

Fulstow and Thoresby Brass Band (Lincolnshire)

Formed in 1864

Fulwell Band (Barkingside, Essex)

Fulwood Brass Band (Sheffield)

Fulwood Temperance Band (Sheffield)

Furnishing Trades Band (High Wycombe)

See: Furniture Industries (Ercols) Works Band

Furniture Industries (Ercols) Works Band (Buckinghamshire)

Active in 1914 and 1921

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. (Footwear) Band

Earlier name of the current Travelsphere Holidays Band

G.U.S. Band

See G.U.S. Footwear Band

G.W.R. & Paddington Borough Silver Prize Band

Active in 1910

G.W.R. Institute Band

See: Wolverhampton Railway Works Band

Gainford Saxhorn Band (Co. Durham)

Active in 1880

Gainsborough Britannia Band

See: Gainsborough Britannia Works Band

Gainsborough Britannia Works Band

Formed in 1878 at Messrs. Marshalls Ironworks, by John F. Cook and J. Vickers. At first it only numbered 8 or 9 members but quickly grew to 24 by 1882 when they entered their first contest at Droylsden. Hugh Whitham of Cleckheaton was appointed conductor and, together with new instruments bought through a subscription list, the band made their first inroads into the prizes. It competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Around 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. When the sponsorship from Marshalls ceased in 1972, the band sought a new home, finding it at Spillers Ltd, in Carr Lane. It officially became the Spillers (Gainsborough) Band in 1973, and won the National Championships (Second section) in 1974. John Golland, the famous brass band composer, took up the conductorship of the band in 1976. The band folded in 1980 following the withdrawal of support from Spillers. [A detailed history of the band can be found in Marshall's of Gainsborough: from a local point of view. Vol. 1, The Trent Works and Britannia Band, by Susan and Sara Edlington, 1999. ISBN: 0953493415]

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

Galgate Brass Band (Lancashire)

Active in 1879

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.

Gamlingay Brass Band (Bedfordshire)

Active in the 1890s

Garboldisham Boys Brass Band (Norfolk)

Active in 1945-6

Gardner's Engineering Band

Based at L. Gardner and Sons factory at Barton, Manchester. They rehearsed Fridays and Sundays in the staff canteen. Active in the 1970s

Garforth Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in the 1890s

Garilbaldi Brass Band (Jarrow)

Active in 1877

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

Garsington Brass Band (Oxfordshire)

Active in 1884

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 (Cheshire)

Active in 1911 and 1925

Gawber Band (Barnsley)

Active in the 1940s and 1950s

Gawber Britannia Brass Band

Founded prior to 1886. Still active in 1936

Gawber Temperance Band

Gawthorpe Britannia Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1860

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 1886 and 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. The band folded prior to or during WW1. A successor band was formed in 1927

Gilsland Brass Band

Active in the early 1900s

Girton Village Band (Cambridgeshire)

Active in 1860

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.

Glasgow Townhead Brass Band

Active in 1863

Glasinfryn Brass Band (Bangor)

Active in 1878

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

Glebe Colliery Band (Northumberland)

Active in 1859 when it won a contest at Cramlington.

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

Golden Valley Brass Band (Derbyshire)

Active in 1900

Gold's Hill Saxhorn Band (West Bromwich)

Active in 1884

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 Borough Band

Active in 1879 as Goole Town Band and Goole Brass Band. Conductor in 1889 was G. Duprey. 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.

Goole Brass Band

See: Goole Borough Band

Goole Temperance Band

Active in 1848

Goole Town Band

See: Goole Borough Band

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

Gornal Wood Saxhorn Band

Active in 1865

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

Gosport and Fareham Mission Band (Hampshire)

Active in the 1890s

Gosport Silver Band (Hants)

Formed in 1968 as the brainchild of Alderman John Fairhall, a former Mayor of Gosport. While on holiday in Austria he heard a town band and thought that it would enhance the image of Gosport if it too had a town band. He put this idea to Gosport Borough Council, which supported him unanimously and made available a loan of £5,000 for the purchase of instruments, music and uniforms. The council also provided a rehearsal room. The Band's founder Director of Music was Cecil Brown, a retired Royal Marines Commissioned Bandmaster, who led and directed the Band until 1982. He was succeeded by Albert Hall, also a former Royal Marines Bandmaster. Albert was succeeded as Musical Director in April 2005 by Derek Jones and in September 2007 he was succeeded by Richard Sharp. In its early years the Band pioneered music on the Solent, playing on the Isle of Wight ferries on Sunday afternoons while they cruised from Portsmouth to Southampton Water. It was a feature of the welcoming scene when Princess Alexandria visited the town. When the Golden Jubilee of Gosport attaining borough status was celebrated, the Band shared the platform with the Central Band of the Royal Air Force at a gala garden party. It merged with Solent Concert Band in 2011 to form Gosport Solent Brass.

Gossages Soap Works Band (Widnes)

Active in 1882 when they played at Liverpool football ground, and in 1892 when they competed in an Eisteddfodd at St Helens. Still active in 1904

Gotham Temperance Brass Band (Nottingham)

Active in 1886

Gothenburg Brass Band (Sweden)

Formed in 1982, disbanded in 2007.

Goudhurst Brass Band (Kent)

In existence in 1887, probably founded by George Reeves in that year, as the Kilndown and Goudhurst Brass Band. By 1900, this had become the Goudhurst Brass Band and by 1926 the Goudhurst Prize Brass Band. It was still in existence in 1935.

Goudhurst Prize Brass Band

See: Goudhurst Brass Band

Govan Burgh Band

Active in 1933

Govan Colliery Band (Glasgow)

Active in 1856 and 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

Granborough Brass Band (Buckinghamshire)

Active in 1885 when it played at a Liberal meeting in Winslow.

Grandborough Brass Band (Warwickshire)

Active in 1887

Grandholm Works Brass Band (Aberdeen)

Active in 1879. Attached to the Grandholm woolen mills

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

Formed in the early 1900s. Later known as East London Brass Ensemble, East Ham Borough Band, East Ham Silver Band in 1946, when it was based at the local Technical College which employed the Musical Director as lecturer. Renamed East Ham Borough Band in the 1950's players were attracted from further afield, leading to considerable improvement. By 1958 it was setting significantly new standards for the area and qualified for the National Finals for the first time. Subsequently the Band participated in the finals on numerous occasions gaining two top six placings. Reorganisation of the London Boroughs in 1965, which amalgamated East Ham, West Ham and North Woolwich, led to the name being changed once more to the Newham Band - in early years of the change being known as Newham (East Ham) Band. It amalgamated with the Aveley Band in 1995.

Grantham Brass Band

Active in 1851

Grantham Gospel Band

Active in 1905

Grantham Town Band

Active in 1947

Grasmere Brass Band

Active in the 1880s, taking part in the Grasmere Rushbearing festival.

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. Also known as Gravesend Town Band. Had some success in the Crystal Palace championships in the early part of the century. It added woodwind instruments and converted to a military style band some time after 1918.

Gravesend Silver Band

Active in 1910

Gravesend Town Band

See: Gravesend Brass Band

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 Brass Band (Essex)

Active in 1894. Also 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)
The band provided music at the S. Smith and Sons (M.A.) Limited's Sports at Dollis Hill, Neasden in August 1923, and again in 1925.

Great Central and Metropolitan Railwaymen's (Silver) Prize Band

See: Great Central and Metropolitan Band

Great Clifton Prize Band (Cumbria)

Active in the early 1900s - conductor at one time was John Gilchrist.

Great Easton Coronation Brass Band (Leicestershire)

Active in 1908/1916 - W.F. Haddon bandmaster & secretary.

Great Eastern Railway Cambridge Silver Band

See: Cambridge Railway Band

Great Harwood Brass Band

See: Great Harwood Subscription Band

Great Harwood Subscription Band

Active in 1853 as Great Harwood Brass Band. Active in 1888, when it was described as ".... is a good one, and whenever it appears in public it has none of that 'brassiness' of tone so distressing to those who have a sensitive diaphragm". In 1893 it won first prize at a contest in Skelmersdale (other bands placed were: 2nd, Leyland Subscription Band; 3rd, Ratcliffe Public Band; 4th, Pemberton Old Band; 5th, White-well Vale Band). Still active in 1900.

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 Foundry Brass Band (Reading)

Active in 1866

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

Greater Bendigo Brass Inc. (Australia)

Formed in 1998 as Greater Bendigo Concert Brass from the merger of Marong Municipal (Hopetoun) Brass Band and Strathfieldsaye Municipal Band. Renamed Greater Bendigo Brass Inc. in 2008

Greater Bendigo Concert Brass (Australia)

See: Greater Bendigo Brass Inc.

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.

Greenbank Band (Liskeard)

Formed in 1886

Greenbank Foundry Brass Band (Blackburn)

Active in 1884

Greengates Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1855/1856 and also in 1896/1900.

Greenhalgh's Band (Lancashire)

Active in 1872 and also in 1907and 1908, when it played at Calder Vale.

Greenhithe Brass Band (Essex)

Active in 1887

Greenhow Hill Victoria Band (near Pateley Bridge)

Formed in the 1860s. It is mentioned by Thomas Blackah in his poem of 1865 about the Feast: "The Nidderdale Rant" - 'And Victoria Band maks under t'tree/ A bonny racket.' 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). It was still going strong in 1883, but ceased shortly after when the local mining industry collapsed.

Greenhow Victoria Band

See: Greenhow Hill Victoria Band

Greenock Thistle Brass Band

See: 1st Renfrew and Dumbarton Artillery Volunteers Band

Green's Dye Works Band (Leeds)

Active in 1872

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

Greenways Brass Band (Gloucestershire)

Active in 1889 when it performed at a bazaar in Frenchay. In 1894 it took part in a temperance procession at Downend on July 11th. Also known as Greenway's Military Band

Greetland and West Vale Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1873 and 1891

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.

Grosmont Iron Works Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1880

Groves Mission Band (York)

Active since at least 1889, it disbanded in 1903 and members joined the new Rowntrees Cocoa Works Band

Groves Wesleyan Band

See: Groves Mission Band

Grundisburgh Brass Band (Suffolk)

The earliest known press report is the Suffolk Standard of August 1892, when the band played at a local show. In June 1893 they played at an open-air concert in the grounds of Grundisburgh Hall, and it was reported that "The programme was interspersed with items by the Grundisburgh Brass band, which shows considerable improvement since last year" Evidently the reporter wasn't a fan! Later that year, at a formal sit-down tea, it was reported that the band had 23 members, and the conductor, G. Walter Blackmore, ( the village schoolmaster), and the bandmaster, Richard H Gladwell, were both presented with inscribed marble clocks, so the band must have been going longer than so far confirmed. In September 1892 it played at a Sale of Work at Grundisburgh House, in July 1894 and also in 1896 is entertained visitors to the Wherstead and Belstead Cottagers' Show. July 1898 saw the band in action at the Clopton Flower Show and also the Witnesham Cottagers' Show. In February 1900 is gave a concert for the "Absent-minded Beggar Fund", raising £6 - this fund had been set up by the Daily Mail, using the popular poem by Rudyard Kipling as a focus for charitable fundraising during the Boer War. The band was still active after WW1.

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 Brass Band

Active in 1890. 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 (Suffolk)

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 (Buckinghamshire)

Active in 1905 and the 1970s

Hadleigh Boys Band

See: Hadleigh Town Band

Hadleigh Town Band (Suffolk)

Formed in 1951. The band's first Chairman was C H Betts, Treasurer H L Seaman and Secretary R G Robinson, their headquarters was at The Wheatsheaf public house. Within a year of their formation they were giving conceits in aid of the Lynmouth Flood Disaster plus concerts at Bildeston, Whatfield and Polstead. They played for a Hadleigh Remembrance Sunday service and organised a Giant Illuminated Christmas Tree on the Market Place, playing carols and gathering toys for Ipswich Hospital. The instruments were loaned by one of the instrument manufacturers. They also made a record of "Blades of Steel March", "Grisford" and "Abide with Me". They were still 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 (Aspull) Band (Lancashire)

Competed in the First Annual Brass Band Contest organised by Wigan Borough Prize Band in 1943 (conducted by J. Mather).

Haigh Band (Barnsley)

See: Rothwell Haigh Band

Haigh Band (near Wigan)

See: Haigh Colliery Band

Haigh Colliery Band (Wigan)

Formed in 1843, one of the first to use all brass instruments. Still active in 1873

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)

Formed in 1920.

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)

Active in 1863

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 Central Band

Active in 1896, conducted by Robert Halstead

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)

Active in 1899

Hall Green Euphonic Band (Birmingham)

Active in 1865

Hall of Freedom Silver Band (Gloucestershire)

Active in 1920

Hallas City Band (Australia)

Merged with Long Gully Miner's Band in 1889 to form Marong Municipal (Hopetoun) Brass Band

Hallelujah Crusaders Band (Kent)

Active in 1922

Hallelujah Mission Band (Motherwell)

Active in 1898

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 Prize Band

See: Hambrook Silver Prize Band

Hambrook Silver Prize Band (Gloucestershire)

Active in the early 1900s, Played for Rogation open-air services on White's Hill Common (Frenchay) in 1927 and 1944. Played at the Winterbourne Sunday School treat on 25 August 1920. Gave a "delightful concert" at Winterbourne in 1926. "This was a huge success, and we hope very much that they will come again before the winter goes". Headed a procession of 150 Bristol Buffaloes for a wreath laying ceremony at Frenchay in 1927. Played at a Garden Fete at Watley's End, Winterbourne in 1928. Played at Winterbourne School Sports on June 17 1931 and were thanked for their efficient musical programme, given entirely without any fee. Played at Frenchay Fete in aid of Hambrook Hospital on July 14 1934. Jack Miles was for some years bandmaster of the Hambrook Silver Band - possibly in the 1930s-40s. 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

Hampton Hill Brass Band (London)

Active in the early 1900s

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 Brass Band (County Durham)

Active in Formed in 1891

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. Still active in 1977.

Handcross Band (Sussex)

Hanging Heaton Band

Active in the 1980s

Hankham and District Brass Band (Sussex)

Active in the late 1800s and 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 Mission Band

Active in 1887

Hanley Town Band

Active in 1889

Hanslope Band (Buckinghamshire)

Hanwell Band

Formed in 1892. In the autumn of 1891 some people had the idea of starting a public brass band and hoped to raise enough funds to purchase instruments. An announcement appeared in the Middlesex County Times on May 7, 1892 stating that a band was being formed and a committee had been formed. Among these was a Mr Williams, who was the bandmaster of the Hanwell Asylum Band. It said the personnel would be mainly professional bandsmen, but a junior band would also be formed. An appeal was made to the 'Gentry and Traders for help to buy the instruments'. The landlord of the Viaduct Inn made a room available for the band's weekly practice, which no doubt was good for business with a few pints being bought by the thirsty musicians at the close of the evening. The response from the general public was good, new instruments were bought and the band made its first public appearance at Hanwell Broadway under the baton of Mr Williams in 1892. The first full concert took place during evening service at the Union Church in late February 1893. The programme included the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. The band were fortunate to secure the services of Mr W Woods, who was experienced in competition work in the north of England, and so entries were submitted to take part in various brass band competitions. Uniforms were obtained and victories came, so the band changed its name to The Hanwell Prize Band to signal these successes. After winning first prize in a contest at Tottenham in 1913, the name was changed again to The Hanwell Silver Prize Band. During the Great War, many of the bandsmen joined the forces and the band was suspended, but in 1918 steps were taken to restart it under the conductorship of Reg Bravington. Hanwell Urban Council granted the use of Elthorne Park for a Brass Band Festival, which was a great success both musically and financially, for funds raised enabled the band to buy a full set of silver-plated instruments. More wins were secured and the band were invited to broadcast by the BBC, took part in a concert at the Prince of Wales Theatre and appeared with Gracie Fields in the film Look Up and Laugh, which was made at nearby Ealing Studios. The band's proudest boast was that they had entertained 40,000 people at one appearance. This was at a match at Brentford between the home team and Arsenal at Griffin Park, where the band played for two and a half hours. They also took part in the Brentford and Chiswick Carnival in September 1960. The band went on to take part in the national brass band contest at the Royal Albert Hall. In January 1979, the Middlesex Chronicle announced that a forthcoming concert at Cranford School would be the last under the present name. The band had agreed to sponsorship by the Roneo Vickers Office Equipment Group and it would be renamed the Roneo Vickers Band. The band was also known as the Roneo Alcatel Band during this period and eventually folded around 2001. Some of the players joined Capital Concert Brass, of West London.
[Details by Eddie Menday, from notes by Charlie Brighton, ex-conductor of the band]

Hanwell Silver Band

See: Hanwell Band

Hanwell Silver Prize 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 Brass Band

See: Harden Mills Band

Harden Mills Band (Bingley)

Active in 1855 to 1868

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 1923/1924

Harland & Wolff's Prize

See: Harland & Wolff Liverpool Band

Harlech Band

Formed in 1925 and disbanded sometime later. Successor band formed in 1985

Harlech Brass Band

Formed in 1845 and disbanded sometime around WW1.

Harlesden Band

Active in 1937

Harling Saxhorn Band (Norfolk)

Active in 1875

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

Harpole Excelsior Brass Band (Northants)

Active in the early 1900s

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.

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"

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.

Harrison and Sons (Bank Foundry) Brass Band (Preston)

Active in 1852

Harrison's Printing Works Band (High Wycombe)

Formed in 1936

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 Subscription Band

- Active in 1880

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

Active in 1887 to 1895

Harrow Green Crusaders Brass Band (Bury St Edmunds)

Active in the early 1900s

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 (West) Operatic Band

Formed in 1851 and still in existence in the late 1940s

Hartlepool Borough Band

See: Hartlepool Temperance Band (2)

Hartlepool Excelsior Band

Active in 1870.

Hartlepool Old Boys Band

Active in 1921

Hartlepool Operatic Band

See: West Hartlepool Old Operatic Prize Silver Band

Hartlepool Prize Band

See: West Hartlepool Borough Band

Hartlepool Public Prize Band

Hartlepool Temperance Band (1)

Active in 1896, when it won second prize in a contest at Wharton Park, Durham, conducted by Mr Holdsworth

Hartlepool Temperance Band (2)

Formed in 1899, became Hartlepool Borough Band in 1900 and was still active in 1914

Hartley Main Colliery Band

See: 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)

Active in 1876

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)

Active in 1897 when it played at the Langdon Beck Show in September

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 Prize Band

See: Haslingden Temperance Band

Haslingden Borough Temperance Band

See: Haslingden Temperance Band

Haslingden Church Band

Active in 1883

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.

Hastings Town Band

Active between 1893 and 1900

Hatfield Peverel Parish Brass Band

Active in 1891

Hatfield Regis Boys Brass Band

Formed during WW2 by Gilbert Hutchin.

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 Band

See: 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 Band

See: Hathern Foresters Band

Hathern Old Prize Brass Band

See: Hathern Foresters Band

Hathern Prize Band

Formed in the 1860s. Hathern Old Prize Brass Band in 1917 to form the current Hathern Band

Havant Primitive Methodist Brass Band

Active in 1897

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.

Hawarden Brass Band

Active in 1896 when it competed at a contest at Hawarden.

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)

Active in 1887, playing at Mr & Mrs Tancred's Silver Wedding in Helmsley. Merged with Bilsdale Brass Band some time after 1909.

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.

Haxby Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1841

Hay Mill Works Band (Birmingham)

Active in 1880

Haydon Bridge Band (Northumberland)

Active between the 1890s and 1947

Haydon Bridge Saxhorn Band (Northumberland)

Active in 1864

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

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.

Haylocks Band (Enfield)

Active in the early 1900s

Hays Mill Brass Band (Ovenden)

Active in 1847 - attached to the Hays Mill belonging to Thomas Taylor & Son.

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 Amateur Brass Band

See: Healey Hall Band

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.

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 Church Temperance Prize Band

Active in 1894

Heanor Miners Welfare Band

Active in 1926, when it entered the Spondon Contest, conducted by F. Beecroft

Heanor Old Prize Band

Active in 1894

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 Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1857 and 1862, playing in Peel Park, Bradford

Heaton Congregational Band

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 in 1863 when it played at the Helpringham Harvest Home Festival, in September that year. Also in 1866 when it led the Oddfellows parade at Fulbeck.

Heckington Temprence League Band (Lincolnshire)

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?

Heckmondwike 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 Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1860

Heckmondwike Flush Mills Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1860

Heckmondwike Old Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1888

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 Prize Band

See: Helmshore Public Prize Band

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

Hemington Brass Band (Somerset)

Active in the 1880s

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.

Hemsworth Saxhorn Band (South Yorkshire)

Active in 1875

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

Hensingham Temperance Band

See: Hensingham Band of Hope Brass Band

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 1896 and 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 Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1860 when it played at a celebration for the Hull Rifle Volunteer Corps at Hesslewood on 28 July, 1860. Also in 1870 at a similar event at Kingston Lodge, Hessle on August 11.

Hessle Church Brass Band

"Reconstituted" in 1896

Hessle Royal British Legion Band (Yorkshire)

Formed in the early 1900s as Hessle Halcyon Band. It later became the Scarrs Shipyard Band under which name it remained until the 1914-1918 war. Then it became known as the Hessle Victory Military Band and included woodwind instruments. During the 1939-1945 war the instruments were loaned to the home guard. When the home guard was disbanded in late 1945, the band started again under the name of Hessle Band. Changed its name to Hessle Royal British Legion Band in 1947. Finally disbanded around 1990. For further details see this webpage: Hessle Royal British Legion Band

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.

Heswall Brass Band (Wirral)

Active in 1883

Hetton Colliery Band (County Durham)

Formed in the 1890s and still active in 1914.

Hetton District Saxhorn Band

See: Hetton Saxhorn Band

Hetton Saxhorn Band (County Durham)

Active in 1878

Hetton Silver Band (Co. Durham)

Founded on April 1st 1887 by three members of a public house band. They invited local musicians to a meeting in Hetton Union Street Methodist Church School. Their first conductor was Mr W Straughan - a violinist and trombone player. Between then and 1907 the band won numerous local contests but their real success began in 1908 when they won both the Durham and Northumberland Brass Band championship and the English and Scottish International Contest. In 1912 they won the Grand Shield at the Crystal Palace contest. The band had strong links with the Mining Industry and played for the Eppleton Miners Lodge in the Durham Miners Gala. In 1914 the band won the 2nd section at Belle Vue in Manchester, and in 1926 made a radio broadcast in 1926 from Newcastle Radio Station. It again won the 2nd Section at Belle Vue in 1947. In the 1970s and 1980s it moved up from the 4th section to play in the Championship section. In 2009 the remaining members of the band amalgamated with Broughtons Brass Band to form the Durham Miners Association Brass Band. The Hetton Band Hall, now redundant, was offered to Beamish Museum which plans to remove the hall from its present site and rebuild and restore it to its former glory at Beamish Museum.

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 Saxhorn Band

Active in 1859

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 Band (Wiltshire)

Active in 1905

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

Hibernian Brass Band (Maesteg)

Active in the 1920s

Hickleton Brass Band (South Yorkshire)

Active in 1863, conducted by G. Kitching

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 Band

See: High Wycombe Saxhorn Band

High Wycombe Borough Band

High Wycombe Home Defence Band

Active in 1919

High Wycombe Excelsior Band

Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s

High Wycombe Furnishing Trades Lock-out Band

See: Furniture Industries (Ercols) Works Band

High Wycombe Saxhorn Band

Active in 1874 to 1893

High Wycombe Sons of Temperance Band

Active in 1908

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 Brass Band (Barnsley)

Active in 1872 to 1876

Higham Ferrers Town Band (Northamptonshire)

Active in 1910

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

Highcliffe Brass Band (Dorset)

Higher Broughton Subscription Brass Band (Manchester)

Formed in 1900, conducted by J. Jessop

Higher Walton Subscription Brass Band (Lancashire)

Active in 1889

Highfield School Band (Bradford)

Highfield Seconday Modern School.

Highgate Mills Band (Clayton, Bradford)

Active in 1864 to 1866

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, and sometimes as Alveley Colliery Band. It was 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. A new band of the same name was formed in 1993.

Highley Colliery Band

See: Highley Brass Band

Hightown Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1878

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

Hill Top Methodist New Connexion Brass Band (Eastwood, Nottinghamshire)

Active in 1894

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)

Active in 1886 & 1888

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

Hinchliff Mill Brass Band

See: Hinchliffe Mill Band

Hinchliffe Mill 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)

Hinkley Town Band

Active in 1904

Hirwaun Brass Band (Hirwaun near Aberdare)

Formed around 1925, still active in 1948

Hirwaun Town Band

See: Hirwaun Brass Band

Hirwaun Welfare Band

See: Hirwaun Brass Band

Histon and Impington Band

Folded in 2006 and merged with Waterbeach Brass

HM Factory Gretna Band

The munitions factory band was formed in 1917 and entertained the thousands of munitions workers at the Border Hall in Gretna and the Central Hall in Eastriggs. It also led the Armistice Day celebrations of November 1918. A tuba belonging to the band was bought for £50 in 1921 by the Brampton Silver Band, who have now donated it to the Devil's Porridge Exhibition in Eastriggs.

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 & Chapel St Leonards Silver Band (Lincolnshire)

Active in the 1920s

Hogsthorpe Brass Band (Lincolnshire)

Active in the 1900s

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 Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1889

Holborn Hill Royal Brass Band (Millom)

Holborn Schools Band (Mitcham)

Holdens Silver Band (Adelaide, South Australia)

Active in 1905, supported by Holdens Coach Builders.

Hollingworth Brass Band

Active in the 1920s. Folded in 2011

Hollingworth Mills Brass Band

Active around 1900

Hollins Mill Brass Band (Manchester)

Active in 1877

Hollinsclough Silver Band

Active in the 1920s. A successor band was formed in the 1960s

Hollinwood & District Band

Active in the 1930s

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.

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?

Holmefirth Silver Prize Band

Active in 1923

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.

Holmfirth Saxhorn Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1855. It was attached to the Holmfirth Mechanics Institute.

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 Brass Band

Active in 1875 to 1890, when the conductor was J. Ellis

Holyhead Town Band

Holywell Colliery Band (Co. Durham)

Active in 1878

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

Honley Brass Band (Huddersfield)

Active in 1894

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)

Hook Brass Band

Hook, Odiham & District Band (Hampshire)

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 Brass Band (Oxfordshire)

Active in 1895, playing at the Steeple Aston Fete.

Horley Temperance Brass Band (Oxfordshire)

Active in 1890

Horley Town Band (Surrey)

Hornchurch Cottage Homes Band

Active in 1897

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."

Horringer Brass Band (Suffolk)

Active in disbanded in 1898

Horsforth Brass Band (1)

Active in 1855/1856

Horsforth Brass Band (2)

Active in the 1970s. Amalgamated with Leeds City Band to form Horsforth Leeds City Band in the 1980s

Horsforth Subscription Band

Active in 1893, and in the 1920s/30s

Horsham Band (Sussex)

Formed in 1854 by Mr. John Tugwell. Folded before 1861 when it was replaced by the Horsham Town Band

Horsham Town Band (Sussex)

Formed in 1861. Active in 1891 - William Garman, bandmaster, of 6b Denne Road. Another band, Horsham Recreation Silver Band, was formed in 1900, later becoming the current Horsham Borough Band. The fate of Horsham Town Band is not known.

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.

Horton Brass Band (Oxfordshire)

Active in 1892

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 Band

See: 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-le-Spring Town Band

Active in the early 1900s

Houghton Lane Band (Preston)

Active around 1850, when it performed at the Preston Whit Walks.

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 Colliery Band (Co. Durham)

Active in 1900

Howden Excelsior Band

See: Howden-le-Wear Band

Howden-le-Wear Band (County Durham)

Formed in 1898 and still active in 1934. Briefly renamed Howden Excelsior Band before reverting back. A bandstand was brought from Newcastle Northeast Exhibition 1929 and erected at the bottom of a tree covered bank side in Jubilee Park (originally called Howden Plantation) The location gave people a perfect view of the bandstand and all the famous bands that played there. (Remains of foundations can still be seen). Mr George Brown took his role as band steward very seriously. Dressed in a tail suit, top hat and white gloves, he made announcements and took requests from the audience

Howden-le-Wear Temperance Model Brass Band

See: Howden-le-Wear Band

Howley Silver Band

Active in 1968

Hoxne Brass Band (Suffolk)

Active in 1870, used to practice at the Red Lion, Oak Hill. Prominent playing families were; Shernmings, Butcher and Copping. The band played every year for the anniversary meeting of the Oddfellows in the 1880s. By 1914 the band had transformed into (or been replaced by) a fife and drum band known as Hoxne Village Band.

Hoxton Dye Works Band (London)

Active in 1873

Hoxton Market Brass Band

See: Hoxton Market Christian Mission Silver Band

Hoxton Market Christian Mission Silver Band (Shoreditch, 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 Old Band

Hucknall Silver Prize Band

See: Hucknall Temperance Prize Band

Hucknall Temperance Prize Band

Formed in 1885 and started at the Butlers Hill, Cavendish Street, Primitive Methodist Church. (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

Hudderfield Catholic Band (Yorkshire)

Hudderfield Friendly and Trades Band (Yorkshire)

Hudderfield Princess Street Mission Band (Yorkshire)

Huddersfield and Upper Agbrigg Brass Band

Huddersfield Borough Brass Band

Active in 1894

Huddersfield Fire Brigade Brass Band

Active in 1892, 1905

Huddersfield Home Guard Band

Active in 1943

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. Also in 1894.

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 Albion Model Brass Band

Active in 1883

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 Temperance Brass Band

See: Hull Sons of Temperance Prize Band

Hull United Model Brass Band

Active in 1885

Hull Waterloo Band

Active in 1911 to 1930. Played a concert in East Park on 16th July 1916, conducted by Charles Norman, a cornet player. Conductor in 1911 was J.W. Noble.

Hull Waterloo Prize Silver Band

See: Hull Waterloo Band

Hulme and Chorlton on Medlock Lads Club Brass Band (Manchester)

Active in 1892

Hulme Brass Band (Manchester)

Active in 1889

Hulme Public Prize Band (Manchester)

Active in 1914, when it presented a silver baton to Sam Myers.

Hulme Public Silver Prize Band

See: Hulme Public Prize Band

Hulme Temperance Band

Active in 1881 and 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

Active in 1851. Amalgamated with the Hunmanby Silver Band after 1918.

Hunmanby Mitford Brass Band

Active in 1905, bandmaster W. Raylor

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.

Hunningham School Band

Active in the 1930s.

Hunslet Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1861, 1869, 1893

Hunslet Leather Works Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1857 - competing in the contest at the Hull Zoological Gardens

Hunsonby Brass Band (Cumbria)

Active in the 1880s

Huntingdon Town Band

Folded around 1911, or soon afterwards. Their instruments were given by the town council to the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion Band in 1916.

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 and 1933

Hurst Prize Band

See: Hurst Brass Band

Hurworth Saxhorn Band (Co. Durham)

Active in 1866

Husthwaite Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1888

Husthwaite Old Brass Band

See: Husthwaite Brass Band

Huthwaite Prize Band

Active in 1925

Hutton Rudby

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 (aka Wearmouth Colliery Band) in 1980, folded in 2000.

Hymac Ltd Band (Rhymney)

See: Hymac Rhymney Band

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

Hythe National Reserve Band

Active in 1913

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. (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

I.O.R. Rescue Tent Brass Band

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 and Thackley Public Band

See: Idle and Thackley Brass Band

Idle Brass Band (Yorkshire)

See: Idle Conservative Brass Band

Idle Conservative Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1868 to 1875

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

Ilford Town Band

Active in 1900, when it opened the Grand Fete & Gala held in the Central Park, Ilford on Saturday 16 June 1900.

Ilfracombe Rechabite Band

Active in 1895

Ilfracombe Town Band

Active around 1906

Ilkeston Brass Band (Derbyshire)

Active in 1887

Ilkeston Excelsior Brass Band

Active in 1886

Ilkeston Main Brass Band

Ilkley Brass Band

Active in 1875 to 1900

Ilkley Prize Band

See: Ilkley 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 Brass Band (Cornwall)

Active in 1892, playing at the East Penwith Horticultural Show.

Illogan Broad Lane Band (Cornwall)

Active in 1889, 1890

Illogan Silver Band (Cornwall)

Ilmington Brass Band

Ilsley United Brass Band (Berkshire)

Active in 1920

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.

Ingatestone Open Brotherhood Silver Band (Essex)

Active in 1954

Ingledew's Band (Leeds)

Active in the 1860s

Ingledew's Model Band (Leeds)

See: Ingledew's Band

Ingleton Brass Band

Active in 1898

Inglewhite Brass Band (Lancashire)

Active in May 1890, when it played at Calder Vale.

Ingrave & East Horndon Brass Band (Essex)

Active in 1909

Inkpen Village Band (Berkshire)

Innerleithen and Traquair Brass Band

Intake Brass Band (Sheffield)

Active in 1871

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. Still active in 1886

Ipswich Town Band (Australia)

See: Ipswich City Vice-Regal Band

Ipswich Town Band

Amalgamated with Connells Sounding Brass (Ipswich) in 1985.

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.
In the 1880s there was a great Temperance Movement, attached mostly to a religious organisation, which spread throughout the North of England. It was known as the Blue Ribbon Army. There was an establishment at Patricroft. On Saturday, 13th May, 1882, Irlam Brass Band led this Army from Patricroft, along Liverpool Road and Worsley Road, Winton, to Eccles Market Cross and from there they went to the Co-op. Hall, where a Meeting was held. Afterwards a concert was given to a packed audience. On the following Wednesday, the members of the Patricroft Blue Ribbon Army opened a Mission in Irlam Parish School room. To give you an idea of the size and popularity of this event, about four hundred and fifty people were conveyed from Patricroft and assembled at the Irlam Toll Bar (near the present-day Co-op. Margarine Works). Thee they walked in procession to the school headed by Irlarn Brass Band with their. Blue Ribbon banner. By the 12th of June, 1882, a branch of the Blue Ribbon Army had been formed in Irlam. On this day, the Irlam Brass Bond, who were all members of the Blue Ribbon Army, led the procession displaying a splendid new silk banner. In 1883, Irlam Brass Band needed funds and so a grand concert was held in the school room on March 3rd. The Band took a prominent part in the programme. It is reasonable to say that the first Band Contest to be held locally took place on the 17th July, 1886. It was staged by Irlam Brass Band on a field near Irlam Railway Station. Prizes amounting to £36.00 were given. Eight bands competed. Mr. Gaggs of Manchester was the Judge. Rawtenstall came first. Stretford second,Audenshaw third and Hollinwood was fourth. Even in those far off days the weather was unfavourable, but nevertheless the Irlam Brass Band played for dancing in the evening.
Throughout the 1890 period the Temperance Bands were very active. They competed with the Public Houses in their offerings of musical entertainment. One of the most noteworthy musical events in the history of Irlam and Cadishead happened in 1909., when King Edward VII. and Queen Alexandra paid a brief visit to the district. Before the arrival of the Royal motor procession, St. John's Band, Irlam Village Brass Band and Cadishend Brass Band all provided a musical interlude.
In the 1920's Irlam Brass Band practiced in the old Fustian Cutting Shop at the side of the Ship Hotel. In the 1980s they had a Band Room on Liverpool Road, Irlam, situated between the children's playground and the local Police Station. The Band moved to this location in February, 1926. Building materials for the erection of this Band Room were donated by Mr. George Thomas, J.P., of Irlam Hall.
Irlam Brass Band gained first place in Dawson's Musical Festival in 1925. This was held in Warrington.

Irlam Public Band

See: Irlam Brass Band

Irlam Silver Band

See: Irlam Brass Band

Iron Church Brass Band (Manchester)

Active in 1882

Irthlingbough Town Band

Active in 1957

Irwell Bank Band

See: Irwell Bank Prize Band

Irwell Bank Prize Band (Stoneclough)

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

Isham Brass Band (Northants)

Active in 1882

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,"

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.

Islington Green Youth Club Brass Band

Active in 1969

Islington Prize Band

Active in 1936

---

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.

Jarrow Brass Band

Active in 1866

Jarrow British Legion Band

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 and the 1930s

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

Joppa Operatic Band

See: Leeds Joppa Band

Jubilee Band

See: Halliwell Prize Brass Band

Jump Subscription Brass Band (Barnsley)

Active in 1880

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 1887 and also 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

Kelbarrow Brass Band

Active in the 1920s/30s

Keld Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in the early 1900s

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.

Kelvedon Hatch Brass Band (Essex)

Active in the early 1900s

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.

Kendrick's Pride of the Village Saxhorn Band (West Bromwich)

Active in 1866

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. Performed on Studham Green in 1920. 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

Kettle Brass Band (Fife)

Active in 1876

Kew City Band (Australia)

Founded in 1890, amalgamated with the East Kew Citizens' Band to form the present-day Kew Band

Keynsham Town Band

Formed in the early 1900s, but disbanded in 1975 (replaced by new band in 1980). Records of the band, covering 1912 to 1948, are held at the Bristol Record Office.

Keyworth Brass Band (Nottinghamshire)

Active in 1925

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)

Kilbarchan Brass Band

Active in 1883

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

Attained 4th place at a contest in Keighly on 1 September 186, competed in a contest at the Wakefield Agricultural Show on 24 August 1867, and also at at contest at the Craven Agricultural Society, Skipton, on 30 August 1867. Took part in the Friendly Societies' Gala at Keighley in 1907. For further details see this webpage: Kildwick Brass Band

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

Kilndown and Goudhurst Brass Band

See: Goudhurst Brass Band

Kilnhurst Alliance Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1882.

Kilnsey Band (Yorkshire)

Kilsyth Brass Band

See: Kilsyth Town Silver Band

Kilsyth Burgh Band (Scotland)

Formed in 1936 by the amalgamation of the Kilsyth Public Silver Band and the Kilsyth Town Silver Band

Kilsyth Miners Welfare Band (Scotland)

Active in 1948

Kilsyth Public Silver Band (Scotland)

Merged with the Kilsyth Town Silver Band in 1936 to form the Kilsyth Burgh Band

Kilsyth Town Silver Band (Scotland)

Active in 1928. Merged with the Kilsyth Public Silver Band in 1936 to form the Kilsyth Burgh Band

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.

Kimbolton Comrades Silver Band

Kineton Brass Band (Warwickshire)

Active in the early 1880s. For further details see this webpage: Kineton Brass Band

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 Cross Mission Brass Band (Charlotte Street)

Active in the early 1900s

King's Dyke and Whittlesey Band

Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s

King's Hall Silver Band (Hull)

Active in 1910

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.

Kingsland Brass Band (Holyhead)

Active in 1890, conducted by W. Roberts

Kingsley Band (Staffordshire)

Active in the early 1900s

Kingston Amateur Brass Band (Hull)

Active in 1864, conductor Mr. Acey. Still active in 1877

Kingston Band (Ferring, Sussex)

Kingston Brass Band (Devon)

Active in 1908

Kingston Brass Band (Dorset)

The village had a band, paid for by the Third Earl of Eldon, lord of that manor.

Kingston Brass Band (Hull)

See: Kingston Amateur Brass Band

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 (Hyde, 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 Mills Prize Band

See: Kingston Mills Band

Kingston Park Brass Band (Hull)

See: Kingston Amateur Brass Band

Kingston Unity Brass Band (Leeds)

Active in 1895 and 1900

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 (Surrey)

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 (Bristol) Band

See: Kingswood and District Band

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 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. Took part in the Winterbourne Carnival in 1923. 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 Primitive Methodist Brass Band (Bristol)

Active in 1884

Kingswood Reformatory School Brass Band (Bristol)

Active in 1894

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.

Kippax Primitive Methodist Brass Band

Active in 1889

Kirkaldy Trades Band

Active in 1905

Kirkburton and Netherthong Brass Band

Active in 1873

Kirkburton Brass Band (Huddersfield)

Active in 1894

Kirkburton Old Band (Yorkshire)

Founded in 1821

Kirkburton Temperance Band (Yorkshire)

Kirkburton Victoria Band (Huddersfield)

Active in 1866, 1871

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

Kirkby-in-Ashfield Band

See Kirkby Silver Band . See also Kirkby Colliery Band

Kirkcaldy Band

Active in 1894

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.

Kirkella Subscription Brass Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1868

Kirkham Subscription Prize Brass Band (Lancashire)

Active in 1891 and 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 1867 and 1883

Kirkhouse Foundry Band (Carlisle)

Active in 1859

Kirkless (NCB) Band (Wigan)

See: Standish Band

Kirkstall Brass Band (Leeds)

Active in 1853, 1866 and 1905

Kirkstall Forge Band (Yorkshire)

Active in 1887

Kirkstall Prize Band (Leeds)

Active in 1870

Kirkstall Saxhorn Band (Leeds)

Active in 1858

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 Brass Band (Glasgow)

Active in 1887. Also in in 1928, 1933, conducted by John McBride

Knightswood Silver Band

See: Knightswood Brass Band

Knottingley (Bagleys) Glass Works Band

Also known as Bagley's (Bottle Works) Brass Band (?)

Knowle Brass Band (Solihull)

Formed in 1904.

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.

Knutsford Temperance Band

Active in 1896 when it competed at a contest at Hawarden.

Knutton Forge Prize Band (Newcastle-under-Lyme)

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

---