Brass Band Reference - Extinct Brass Bands

Extinct Brass Bands

Of the many brass bands that have flourished in Britain over the last 150 years very few have documented records covering their history. This page is an attempt to collect together information about such bands and make it available to all. Over 3,000 extinct bands are recorded here. Where "active" dates are given these indicate documented appearances - the bands may well have existed beyond those dates quoted. Any contributions of material, information, pictures, or suggestions, references etc. are more than welcome. Where the material warrants it, a separate page or archive will be established for particular bands. Various bands have changed their names several times over the years, which makes tracking them down more difficult. Any details of "family tree" relationships between bands and their names will also be welcome. Finally, if any band appearing on this list is still active, please let me know!

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

Please send any additions, corrections, comments or material to

gavin@ibew.co.uk

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

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

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

C
C.W.S. (Manchester) Band: Formed in 1900 as the CWS Tobacco Factory Band, changed to CWS (Manchester) Band in 1937. It became the City of Manchester Band in 1985, finally disbanding in 1993. A group of workers from the CWS Tobacco Factory in Manchester got together to form a band in 1900, one which quickly made a name for itself on the concert and contest circuit. In 1931 the old Tobacco Band, conducted by J. A. Greenwood was awarded first prize at the Grand Shield Competition at the Crystal Palace. In 1946 the directors of the CWS changed its name to the CWS (Manchester) Band. In 1947 Fred Roberts from Brighouse & Rastrick was offered the position of Bandmaster alongside their new professional conductor Eric Ball. In December 1947, at the age of seventeen, Derek Garside was invited from Brighouse & Rastrick to be the Principal Cornet at CWS - a position he was to hold with distinction for the next 25 years.
The first major success the new band had was at the British Open Championships at Belle Vue in 1948. In the Centenary British Open Championships of 1952 under the baton of Eric Ball, they were awarded the title of British Open Champions for the second time playing the Henry Geehl test piece 'Scena Sinfonica'. Alex Mortimer was appointed as Musical Director in 1954.
Between 1947 and 1970 they took part in the British Open Championships in the Kings Hall, Belle Vue on 18 occasions and won it 4 times and were placed on 12 occasions. They took part in the Daily Herald National Brass Band Finals in London practically every year following their contest successes as North West Area Champions in 1955, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961 and 1962, which saw them crowned champions for the sixth time in eight years, also registering the area's first senior class of hat trick wins. With the exception of 1961 when they were led to victory by their bandmaster Tom White, they were conducted by Alex Mortimer. In addition they were runners-up at six area championship contests and placed sixth in 1970 in the World Championships.
Prior to competing in the 1962 National Finals they had already collected 5 second prizes and 3 third prizes in twelve appearances at the senior finals. In the eight Edinburgh International Festival contests the band entered, they took 4 first prizes, 4 second prizes and, with the exception of 1953 when they were conducted by Jack Atherton, they were conducted by Eric Ball (1949/50/51/52) and Alex Mortimer (1954/55/56). The band took part in the National Festival Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1955, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1968 and 1969.
The band finally achieved their long awaited crowning glory on Saturday, 20th October 1962 when they won the Daily Herald National Brass Band Championships at the Royal Albert Hall with Musical Director, Alex Mortimer, playing Frank Wright's arrangement of Verdi's 'Force of Destiny'. A performance which is still talked about today - forty years on… An achievement they went on to repeat the following year in 1963 playing 'Belmont Variations' by Sir Arthur Bliss.
The band toured throughout the United Kingdom and went on numerous continental tours, including Canada in June/July 1972 with Fairey Aviation Band, Black Dyke Mills Band and G.U.S. (Footwear) Band. Owing to Alex Mortimer's continuing ill health he was unable to go on this tour which meant Derek Garside the band's Resident Conductor then became Musical Director and took charge of the band on that tour. A few months prior to Derek's appointment the band had once again qualified for the national finals under the direction of what was to be Alex Mortimer's last appearance on stage at an area contest. Although Derek led the band through that summer it was 'Mort' who had found sufficient strength and determination to lead them for just one more time at the Royal Albert Hall playing Eric Ball's test piece 'A Kensington Overture' off number three but the results showed that it was not to be their year.
In 1973 Derek led the band to qualification at the North West Area contest, ensuring they took part in the national finals once again. This was a memorable occasion for Derek on what was his first appearance at the Royal Albert Hall as Musical Director, leading them to second place behind B & R. Under Derek's direction the band did well and was awarded first place in both 1975 and again in 1976 at the North West Area Finals - Derek had announced in advance of this performance that he would be leaving the band after the London finals. He was followed by Trevor Walmsley DFC as the last full time Musical Director of the band, followed by Frank Renton with Stan Whiteman as the Resident Bandmaster. Shortly before Frank arrived to take up the reins Maurice Handford the former Principal Horn player from the Halle Orchestra and Orchestral conductor took them for a short while.
On Sunday, 3rd April 1977, at the Preston Guild Hall, conducted by Trevor Walmsley DFC the band could only manage third place at the North West Area Contest, which ended a run of twenty four successive appearances at the national finals in London. In 1985 the C.W.S. Board of Directors decided that a brass band was not the image the Co-op wished to promote in the future and made the decision the band would cease to exist - for the record the last appearance of the band was at Dobcross Band Club in 1985. Manchester City Council then took over the band which was renamed The City of Manchester Band, which finally folded in March 1993.
C.W.S. Tobacco Factory Band: See: C.W.S. (Manchester) Band
Cable & Wireless Band (London): Formed in 1940, originally for boy messengers, but included girl messengers during the War. In 1947 there were "7 lady members" of the band.
Cadbury Bournville Works Band
Cadfan and District Band (North Wales): Active in 1948
Cadfan Silver Band (North Wales): Refused the right to bear the title "Royal" in 1934
Caerau Silver Band: Active in 1921
Caerphilly Silver Band: Active in 1907
Cairnie Colliery Band: Active in 1862 - Took part in a gala procession in Musselburgh on July 17th
Caistor Town Band (Lincolnshire): Active in 1905
Calder Vale Subscription Band: Active in the 1920s/30s. Still active in 1951 when they competed in the 4th section North West regional championships at the Victoria Hall, Bolton.
Callender's Cable Works Band (Erith, Kent): Formed in 1898 as the Belvedere Baptist Temperance Band. This arose when some members of the Belvedere Salvation Army Band were given an ultimatum to cease playing their favourite march "Now or Never", which was a secular piece, or leave. They left and formed the Baptist Band, with J. Maycock as Bandmaster. They soon amalgamated with the Belvedere Military Band and were then renamed the Belvedere Excelsior Band, still with Maycock as bandmaster and E.H. Alder as conductor. In 1907 the entire membership was working for Callender's and they sought and won sponsorship from the company. The band was at its height in the 1920s with three second places in the National Championships and the British Open, together with several recordings and many broadcasts which maintained the high profile of the band through the Second World War. When Callender's Cable & Construction Company merged with British Insulated Cables in 1945 to form British Insulated Callender's Cables, the band became the BICC Band. The band was still honouring commitments to play for the BBC in December 1960 when the following month BICC decided to close down the band. When it disbanded, its library was purchased by the current Haydock Band, the players retained their instruments and the bandroom at the works was eventually bulldozed to the ground.
Callington Town Band (Cornwall): Active in the 1850s, first recorded appearance in 1859 leading a procession at the Philanthropic Society's Festival. In 1886 the Band played at the opening of the first reservoir at Ashburton Farm, Florence Road. In July 1892 the Band provided the music on a steamer trip from Calstock with the Cricket Club. In 1895 the Band led the Church Parade of the F