Brass Band Reference - Extinct Brass Bands

html> 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 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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S
S.H. & W.R. Wallsend Shipyard Band
Sabden Public Band: Active in the 1960s
Sacriston Colliery Band: Formed before 1900 and active up to 1939. Probably folded thenabouts. A successor band was formed in 1967
Saddleworth & Haybottoms Band: Active in 1853
Saddleworth Rifles Band: Active in 1872
Sailors' Orphans Band (Newland, Hull): Active in the late 19th century. The band was composed of children from the Port of Hull Society's Sailors' Orphans' Homes, a forerunner of the Newland Orphan Homes which was in existence in the 1920s. Today the Sailors Families Society seems to be the descendant of those earlier Orphans societies.
St Andrews Band (North Shields): Formed in the 1900s and folded around WW2
St Andrews Brass Band (Fife): Active in 1928, conducted by John Faulds
St Andrews Junior Prize Band (Hull): Formed in 1914 and active in the 1920s. A postcard was published with the following rhyme on it: "Hail to St Andrews Junior Band! Which side by older players take a stand; 'Tis wonderful that boys so young as these should play so well, as e'en to critics please. Diligence and good tuition tell the reason why they do succeed so well; for each lad tries to do what he is told - the Band thus helps the character to mould. 'Twas in November, nineteen-fourteen, in West Hull that its humble birth was seen, but, like the acorn in the wayside sown, it now has to a health sapling grown. Large sums for charities their help has raised, For which they have been well and duly praised; the widows and the orphans' hearts are full of thanks to these little boys of Hull. No sect or section has the slightest claim, except the good of mankind be the aim - for each and all the Band has freely played; no charge, except expenses, has been made. If of assistance you should be in need, at times when you're engaged in noble deed, and helpfully you find the band could use; invite them. They're not likely to refuse."
The band won first prize in the Boys Sections, with the Wood Challenge Cup, at the National Brass Band Festival at the Crystal Palace in September 1920.
St Anne's Subscription Band: Active in 1930
St Augustine's Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
St Bartholomew's Band (Wilmslow): Active in 1933
St Bees Brass Band (Cumberland): Founded about 1860, ceased to play about 1930. Perhaps because of the many miners in the village, St. Bees had its own brass band. At its peak it had about 20 players and played for village fetes and dances. In 1917, fearing that the instruments might be split up, the Band made the Parish Council the trustees of the instruments and the "Band Room". However, interest was not sustained, and by 1924 the Parish Council was enquiring if the band was still functioning. In 1929, after a silver cornet was stolen, the band was dissolved, and the Council stored the instruments under the stage in Hodgetts Club upper room, where they gathered dust. The Band Room was a corrugated iron shed built in 1914 down Gas House Lonning. After 1929 it lay unused, until in 1933 the St. Bees Unemployed Men's Club and the St. Bees (pigeon) Flying Club used it for their meetings. There were several requests to use the instruments but the Trust agreement stipulated that they could only be used by the St. Bees Village Band. Since this was defunct, they could not be used at all. The instruments were preserved; but in silence. The sad end of this story of village music making was in 1947, when the instruments were finally sold for ś50 to Boosey & Hawkes, the money raised going to the Pagan Trust fund. A year later the redundant Band Room was disposed of for ś23.
Thanks to Douglas Sim, doug.sim@btinternet.com, for these details
St Blazey and District Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
St Buryan Independant Brass Band (Cornwall)
St Cleer Brass Band (Cornwall): Active in 1905
St Columb Band (Cornwall)
St Columb Minor Band (Cornwall)
St Cyprian's Brass Band (Manchester): Active in 1926
St Dennis Temperance Brass Band: Active in 1910
St Erth Independant Brass Band (Cornwall)
St Erth Silver Band (Cornwall): Active in the 1920s
St Francis Band (Gorton)
St Francis Silver Band (Glasgow): Active in 1928, conducted by W. E. Anderson
St George's Church Institute Band (Chorley): Formed in 1900 and set to work at once to buy a set of instruments at a cost of over ś200 and also a complete set of uniforms. It seems that the band was a highly successful part of the Church's life but unfortunately the group was later disbanded and the instruments sold.
St George's Old Band
St George's Temperance Band: See Lilleshall Colliery Band
St Giles Church Band (Killamarsh)
St Helens (Ore) Band (Hastings): Active in 1933
St Hilda Band: See: St Hilda Colliery Band
St Hilda Colliery Band (South Shields): Formed in 1869 by John Dennison of the 3rd Durham Artillery Volunteers Band, at the request of a group of miners, under the name of St Hilda Colliery Brass Band. In the early years the band was also known at times as, "Dennison's Family Band", "Dennison's Borough Band", and "South Shields Borough Band". Financial help was obtained from the St Hilda Miners' Lodge in 1905 and the band was renamed St Hilda Colliery Silver Band, appointing JA Greenwood as its conductor - the first of several professional conductors to lead the band to the very top. Contest successes prior to the First World War and thereafter in the early 1920s demonstrated their position as one of the leading bands of the day. When the colliery closed in 1925 the band continued under the name of St Hilda Band, but with the members relying on the engagements and contest wins for their living. This resulted in them being barred from contesting as a "professional" band. After ten years as a professional band St Hildas Band folded in 1937. See also a fuller article here.
St Hilda Colliery Band (2) (South Shields): Another band was formed in 1930, achieving success at several local contests, but was disbanded 1940
St Hilda Colliery Brass Band: See: St Hilda Colliery Band
St Hilda Colliery Silver Band: See: St Hilda Colliery Band
St Issey Silver Band (Wadebridge)
St Ives Town Band (Cambridgeshire): Active in the 1970s
St Ives Town Band (Cornwall)
St Issey Brass Band (Cornwall)
St James Band (Doncaster)
St James's Birch Brass Band: Active in 1902 when it led the Fallowfield Parochial celebrations for the coronation of Edward VII
St James Church of England Brass Band (Rusholme, Manchester): Active in 1897
St James Band (Gorton): Active in 1886
St John Ambulance Band (Bentley Colliery): Active in the 1930s
St John Ambulance Band (Castleford)
St John Ambulance Silver Band (Weston-Super-Mare)
St John Ambulance Silver Band (Southport): Active in 1991
St John's Band: Attached to Farnworth Parish Church in the early 1860s. Several of its members joined the Barnes Band (Farnworth) around that time.
St John's Brass Band (Irlam): Formed in 1880s
St John's Cathedral Brass Band (Manchester): Provided musical entertainment and accompanied a ceremony to cut the sod for the new St James' Catholic Church School, Seedley, on 20th August 1910
St John's (C. of E.) Brass Band (Weston, Runcorn): Active in the 1860s
St John's Church Mission Brass Band (Workington): Active in 1892 when it took part in a concert with Workington Vocal Union Voice Choir
St John's Parish Church Band (Roughtown, Mossley): Active in the 1930s and 1940s
St John's Port Glasgow Band
St John's Prize Band
St Josephs Brass Band (Bedford, Leigh): The band organised a contest in September 1884 at which the St Thomas' Band Bedford competed. The event was well reported in the both the Leigh Chronicle and the Leigh Journal with the St Thomas' Band under their conductor, Mr. J Frost, claiming the third prize of ś2. The first prize going to Atherton Volunteers and the second to Farnworth Public. For the full press report of the contest click here
St Just Boys Silver Band (Cornwall)
St Just Old Town Band (Cornwall)
St Lawrence Silver Prize Band (Longridge, Scotland): Active around 1905
St Lawrence's Subscription Prize Band: See: St Lawrence Silver Prize Band
St Leonard's Silver Band (Newark)
St Luke's Brass Band (Bolton)
St Margaret's Old Brass Band (Dundee): Active in 1899 when they met at Wilson Street, Lochee
St Martin's Town Band (Cornwall): Active in 1913
St Mawgan Band (Cornwall)
St Merryn Band (Cornwall)
St Mawnan Band (Cornwall)
St Michael & All Angels' Brass Band (Poplar)
St Michael's Church Band (Manchester)
St Minver Brass Band (Cornwall)
St Paul's Brass Band (York): Known to be active between 1900 and 1904, later known as St Paul's New Silver Band
St Paul's Church Band (Stratford, London)
St Paul's New Silver Band: See: St Paul's Brass Band
St Saviour's Silver Band (Splot, Cardiff)
St Stephen Town Band (Cornwall)
St Teath Brass Band (Cornwall)
St Thomas' Band Bedford: See: Bedford (Leigh) Band
Saltcoats Burgh Band: Founded in 1903. In August 1903 a cycle parade on behalf of the Band fund raised Ł14. In April 1904 the bandmen made their first appearance in their new uniforms. On July 22, 1904 a musical fete and promenade concert, organised by Mr Walter Freer on behalf of Saltcoats Burgh Band Fund, took place in the Holm Plantation on Saturday afternoon. In October 1904 Saltcoats Burgh Band's three-days bazaar realised Ł476!
Sale & Ashton-on-Mersey British Legion Band: Active in 1949
Salem Chapel Silver Band: Active in the 1930s
Salem Mission Band (North Shields): Active in the 1900s/1910s
Salford and District (Temperance) Silver Band: Formed on 18th March 1909.
Salford Band: Active in 1944
Salford Cottage Homes Band (Manchester): On a picture of the band (probably from the early 1900s) are the lines: Here at the Homes, there is a band. And the way they play is something grand; There's many a band, that I can tell, Older and bigger, don't play so well.
Salford Police Band: Active in 1903 when it played at the first municipal concert in the Teneriffe Street Hall, Salford. The audience was estimated at over 1,000 and many were unable to get in.
Salford Silver Band: Active in 1910, when it "relieved the tedium" by playing for the crowds awaiting the return, at Salford Station, of two Salford Rugby Union players from a tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Salisbury City Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Salt Union Brass Band(Weston Point, Cheshire): Active in the late 1800s - may be the same as the Salt Union Ltd. (Winsford Works) Band?
Salt Union Ltd. (Winsford Works) Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Saltash Town Band: Formed in 1919 at the Working Men's Club in Saltash. The band was active until the outbreak of the Second World War. Unfortunately, all the band's instruments and equipment were placed on a barge moored in the River Tamar and were lost during a bombing raid! Thereafter the band folded. [A new Saltash Town Band was formed in 1975]
Saltaire Band: Formed in 1855 by Titus Salt for his employees at the Saltaire Mill, its first conductor was Joseph Paley whose son, John, became a legendary cornet player, playing with bands as diverse as Black Dyke, situated on the other side of Bradford and Patrick Gilmore's Band in America. It was also conducted at one time in its early years by Richard Smith who launched the Champion Brass Band Journal in 1857 and then his music publishing business R Smith & Co. in 1878. A number of local contests were attended up to 1869, bringing in a few prizes. The band then appeared in the Belle Vue September contests of 1872-1974 conducted by John Gladney, gaining a 2nd prize in 1872 and a 5th in 1874. After this it assumed the status of an ordinary village band, though the mills still owned the instruments. Brass Band News reported in March 1894: "Many old contestors will learn with regret that the once famous Saltaire Brass Band is no more, the instruments and all properties having been called in by the Company. So passes away the remains of one of the best bands Yorkshire ever produced."
Saltaire Mills Band: See: Salts Silver Band
Saltaire Subscription Band: See: Salts Silver Band
Saltcoats Burgh Band: Active in 1907
Salts Silver Band: Formed in 1932, by Herbert Bowdin Hawley (MD of Hammonds Sauce Works Company, at Shipley). It competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Brass Band News reported in March 1932: "Salts Silver, under the tuition of Mr H B Hawley, are making remarkable progress. This is a newly-formed band of 24 enthusiastic performers who mean business. Their practice-room is in the Royal Café, Saltaire, kindly provided rent-free by Messrs. Salts of Saltaire. Mr Hawley has gradually built up this combination to his own liking, and is taking them to their first contest at Pudsey on March 25th. Mr Hawley is a local organist and composer, and will not be satisfied with his band until it sounds like his organ. A prize at Pudsey is their determination." The band became a member of the Harrogate & District Brass Band Association, of which Mr Hawley was an official. It was at one of the Association's contests, held in Saltaire in May 1934, that the new band achieved its first win. The band played in the first section, which had an entry of 12 bands, so this was quite an achievement for a two-year-old band. It regularly changed its name, appearing not only as Salts Silver, but also as Saltaire Mills, Saltaire Subscription and Salts (Saltaire). It was offered a broadcast engagement by the BBC in November 1936, when Frank Haigh, a noted Bradford cornet player was playing principal cornet. In 1937 Salts Band provided music for the visit to Shipley of the King and Queen and by now its conductor, 'H B', was proving to be something of a composer, with a number of published marches to his name. In the latter part of 1940 Mr Hawley engaged Noel Thorpe as professional conductor, and in 1945 Harry Grace, a successful Bradford brass band conductor succeeded Noel Thorpe. Early in 1946 HB Hawley decided to form a new junior band. For a short time the juniors and the older band existed side by side, but without Mr Hawley's drive, interest at Salts waned and the band completed its last engagement in July 1946. Several of its members joined the new group, which also acquired the old band's music library and some instruments. This junior band was to become the Hammonds Sauce Works Band
Salts (Saltaire) Band: See: Salts Silver Band
Sam Smiths Old Brewery Band: Active in the 1980s
Sandbach Volunteers Band (Cheshire): Active in the early 1900s. Formed by William Bagnall, also known as Bagnall's Band, or "Baggies Band".
Sandiacre Brass Band: Active in 1926, when it entered the Spondon Contest, conducted by W. Wells
Sandown Prize Band (Isle of Wight): Active in the 1920s
Sandye Place School Band: See: Sandye Silver Band
Sandye Silver Band (Bedfordshire): The origins of the Band go back to 10 March 1962, when a quartet of musicians at Sandye Place School played for morning assembly under the direction of the music teacher, Peter Kneale. Within a year this grew into Sandye Place School Band, consisting of pupils and teachers. In 1966, when several members of the Band left school, Peter Kneale formed the Sandye Place School Band. In October 1967 the first committee was formed to run the band and in July of the following year the name was changed to Sandye Silver Band. In July 1969 the Band left the further education system and became a fully independent self-supporting organisation. Also in 1969 the Band affiliated to the London and Home Counties Brass Band Association so that band contests could be entered. In 1971, after only two years of competition, the Band qualified for the finals of the National Brass Band Championship (Fourth Section), and finished in eleventh position. On two occasions, in 1968 and 1975, the Band won the Brass Band Class at the Bedfordshire Music Festival. During the early 1970s the Band performed many engagements, both at nearby and distant venues. In 1973 the founder Peter Kneale left and was succeeded by Duncan Wells of Dunstable, a player with Hendon Band. The number of players declined, and with them the number of engagements, but the 1980 season proved to be the busiest to date. In the previous April the Band moved from its birthplace at Sandye Place School to the new Sandy Upper School where rehearsal facilities were more convenient. During the 1980s the Band enjoyed continued success, but following the loss of number of key members in 1989 the decision was made to suspend activities and put all equipment and assets into storage. The Band Trustees continued to meet, however, but at the seventh annual general meeting, in March 1997, it was decided that there was no realistic chance of the Band reforming and that the remaining assets should be sold and the Band dissolved At the final AGM, on 16 March 1998, it was reported that the sale of the instruments and music had raised Ł3,065. At the same meeting it was decided to lodge the Band's records with the Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Record Service.
Sankey's Castle Works Band: Active in 1937. Disbanded in 1961. For more information see Web Link
Saracen Brass (Cornwall): Formed by former pupils of Penryn School to continue playing after leaving school. Active in the 1980s and folded in the late 1980s.
Sawley Brotherhood Band: Active in 1926, when it entered the Spondon Contest, conducted by F. Yeomand
Sawston Brass Band (Cambridgeshire): Looking remarkably smart in their new uniforms, welcomed returning soldiers from the Boer War at Linton in July 1901, and headed their village Friendly Society parade in July 1902.
Saxthorpe and Corpusty Band (Norfolk)
Saxthorpe Village Band: See: Saxthorpe and Corpusty Band
Scapegoat Hill Band (Huddersfield): Founded in 1854 and still active in 1979, though it probably folded in the following year (1980). That year saw the birth of Vintage Brass - a band originally consisting of members of the Scapegoat Hill Band
Scarborough Borough Prize Band: Active in 1926
Scarborough Town Band: Active in the 1970s
Schreiber Band: Active in 1978
Scott and Denman's Head Bands (Sutton, Nottinghamshire): Active in 1864
Scotter Silver Band: Active in the 1940s
Scottish Dyes Band (Grangemouth): Band linked to the Scottish Dyes company, set up in 1919 by James Morton. In 1928 the company's assets were acquired by the British Dyestuffs Corporation, which became the Duestuffs Division of I.C.I. The band was later known as I.C.I. Recreational Band
Scottish Gas Board Band: Active in 1964
Scotswood Band (Newcastle): Active in 1906
Scotswood Temperance Band (Newcastle): Active in 1933
Scunthorpe Borough British Legion Band
Scunthorpe District Total Abstinence Prize Brass Band: Active in 1907
Seacombe Victoria Band: Active in the early 1900s
Seaham Colliery Band: Active in 1880
Seaham Ex-Sailors and Soldiers Band (County Durham): Active in 1882
Seaham Harbour Catholic Band (County Durham): Active in the 1900s.
Seaham Harbour Town Band (County Durham): Active in 1914.
Seaham Harbour Bottle Works Band (County Durham): Active in the 1900s.
Seaham Philharmonic Brass: See: Seaham Town Band
Seaham Town Band (County Durham): Formed in 1985, changed name to Seaham Philharmonic Brass in 1989. It twice qualified for the National Finals before folding in 2004
Seaham Volunteer Band (County Durham): Active in 1906
Seaton Burn Colliery Band: Played for the cutting of the sod at a new colliery at Dinnington in August 1867, also active in 1869
Seaton Delaval Colliery Band: Formed in the 1890s and folded in the 1950s
Seaton Hirst Excelsior Band (Ashington, Northumberland): Formed 1906. Later known as North Seaton Colliery Band and North Seaton Workmen's Prize Band
Seaton Town Band (Devon): Active in 1912
Sedlescombe Band (Sussex)
Seghill Temperance Band: Active in 1915
Selby Shipyard Brass Band: Active in 1924, when on 20th December the County Chief Constable's Office, East Riding of Yorkshire, granted the Band permission to play and make collections in the surrounding villages.
Selby Rifle Volunteer Band: Active in 1897 when they performed at the Eastrington Show.
Selkirk Band: Formed in May 1883 and commenced contesting in 1887, during which first year of competition entered three contests and won three prizes.
Selkirk Borough Band
Settle Brass Band: The first recorded event of the Settle Band was Thursday August 10th 1854, at North Craven Horticultural Society Flower Show, but it is thought to have been in existence long before this. During its time it has been a Town Band, a Temperance Band and a militia band. At some point, Langcliffe Band amalgamated with the Settle musicians. The band amalgamated with the Giggleswick Band in 1952 to form the Giggleswick & Settle Band.
Severalls Institution Band (Essex): Formed by patients and staff at the Severalls Hospital in Colchester, a large psychiatric hospital. It was active prior to WW1 and was still active after WW2, in 1946. Took part in the Colchester Carnival in 1934, conducted by Charles Hammond.
Seven Sisters Band (Glamorgan): Active in 1948
Shaftesbury Crusade Band (Bristol): Possibly active in the early 1900s and 1920s. Active in the 1960/70s. They were Championship Section in the late 1970s and came in the top 4 in the National Finals. By the end of the 70s the band had lost a lot of players to Sun Life and Soundwell the two main top section bands in Bristol at that time. The band folded in early 1980s.
Shaldon Temperance Band (Devon): On 22 June 1848: "Shaldon Regatta took place on the 15th inst, when flags of all colours were hoisted the whole length of the Strand facing the water, and also on the vessels and boats in the harbour, having a pretty appearance. The Shaldon Temperance Band was in attendance."
Shanklin Town Band (Isle of Wight): Formed before 1895, and also known as the Rylstone Band at one point, it disbanded in the 1930s
Shap Silver Band: Active in the 1930s, probably did not survive WW2.
Sharlston Brass Band: See: Sharlston Colliery Band
Sharlston Colliery Band: Active in the 1980s. Merged with Yorkshire Evening Post Band, but then disbanded in 2002
Sharnbrook Brass Band: Was "reformed" in 1904. Took part in the Coronation parade in 1911. Records of the band, from 1903-1935, are held by Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Record Service
Sharpness & District Prize Band: Sharpness Temperance Band was formed before 1900. It had its problems - the bandsmen, many of whom were port workers at the local docks, used to practise at the Sharpness Union Church. They liked the odd tipple or two and an old minute book disclosed that this was classed as breaking temperance, and many of the band members were asked to leave the band; soon membership became nearly nonexistent - more of the bandsmen were to be found at the pub instead of at the rehearsal! An extraordinary meeting was called and it was decided that the Band's name needed to be changed, and it was renamed the Sharpness & District Prize Band. The start of World War I saw the Band disperse with many of the players playing in military bands, but after the War they reunited and became even stronger; a big attraction was a man named Jack Portlock He was the Band's drummer and was known for the way he used to throw his batons when he marched; this earned him the name "Gentleman Jack". This band finally gave way to another band under the baton of Matt Francis and then Fred Smith. Many of the existing players stayed, including Cliff Priday on solo cornet and the masterly euphonium player George Short. The band was enjoying local success when the outbreak of World War II saw the group disband. The instruments and the band room were sold and Ł600 was invested in War Bonds until a new band could be formed. After the war, many attempts were made to reform the band, but they were all doomed to failure. A new Sharpness Band was eventually formed in 1970
Sharpness Temperance Band: See: Sharpness & District Prize Band
Shaw Mills Brass Band: Formed in 1885 with some of the members of the disbanded Burnt Yates Old Band. Folded in 1900.
Shaw's Excelsior Brass Band (Horncastle?): Report from August 1888: "Horncastle Horse Fair - On Monday evening Shaw's Excelsior Brass Band played in the Bull Ring, and the Rifle Corps Band under Robert Nicholson gave a promenade concert; there was dancing in Major Armstrong's grounds in South Street (later Hamerton Gardens)."
Shawbury Industrial School Band (Fillongley): Active in 1911
Shawclough & Spotland Band: Active in the 1930s
Sheen Band (Staffordshire): Active in 1860 until at least 1887, when it played at the Sheen celebrations for Queen Victoria's jubilee of 1887
Sheen and Longnor Brass Band (Staffordshire): Active in 1867
Sheepbridge Works Band: Active in 1952
Sheepscombe Brass Band: Formed around 1900
Sheffield Borough Band: Active in 1883
Sheffield Corporation Band: Active in 1936
Sheffield L.M.S. Railway Band: Active in 1948
Sheffield Police Band: Formed in the 1870s, disbanded in the 1930s
Sheffield Recreation Brass Band: Active in 1905 and in the 1960s
Sheffield Transport Department Band
Sheldon Silver L.N.E.R. Band: Formed in January 1937, attained 2nd place in the 3rd section National Championships in 1938, conducted by T. Collinson.
Shelley Band: Active in 1850s
Shepherd's Bush Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Shepley Band: Formed in the late 19th century, the band foundered in the early 1990s. It was reformed as a concert (brass/wind) band.
Sheppey Boys Silver Prize Band: Active in 1930
Sheppey Silver Band (Sussex): Took part in the Royal Tunbridge Wells & District Band Federation 27th Annual Band Festival (3rd Section), 14th May 1955, gaining 2nd place and £5, playing Overture: Lustspiel by Keler Bela, adjudicated by Harry Mortimer. At one time the bandmaster was Mr. Noakes (of the garage family; having as a showroom and workshops the old music hall next to the Crown Pub).
Shepreth Brass Band (Cambridgeshire): Formed in 1923 by Stephen Buller, a local nurseryman. Its first engagement was the opening and dedication of the War Memorial at Meldreth. The band, which consisted of all local people and practised in the school, was particularly busy at harvest-time when they would be performing around the farms in the area and at thanksgiving services. Disbanded prior to the Second World War. An earlier band began in the 1880's as a military-style band with woodwind as well as brass. This band may have been the direct forerunner of Shepreth Brass Band.
Shepshed Town Prize Band: Active around 1913
Shepton Mallet Excelsior Band (Somerset): Active in 1924, when the Bandmaster was Mr. H. Rowsell.
Shepton Mallet Town Band (Somerset)
Sherburn Hill Colliery Band (County Durham): Formed in the 1890s, folded in the 1960s
Sherburn-in-Elmet Band: Active in the 1970s
Sheringham Temperance Band (Norfolk): Formed in 1923. Merged with Cromer Boys Band in 1956 to form Cromer and Sheringham Silver Band
Sherston Town Band (Wiltshire)
Sherwood Rangers Band (Yorkshire): The Worksop Journal reported that on Whit Monday 1856, when three Friendly Societies formed a procession, three Bands took part. After the procession to the Parish Church and Divine Service, they dined at various hostelries. The Old Abbey Club dined at the Corn Exchange where Mr Marshall of the Greyhound Inn catered for 240 persons. The Mosbro' Band attended and played appropriate airs after each toast. The Golden Ball Friendly Society dined in their large room.... and the Sherwood Rangers Band contributed to the pleasure of the day. The Wheat Sheaf Club dined at the club room of the Wheat Sheaf Inn, and the Sutton Brass Band very much delighted the Society with their performances.
Shettleston Brass Band (Glasgow): Around 1872 Shettleston had a first class Brass Band. It was called "Pricky Mair Band". It was composed of Lawsons, Cunninghams, Allans, McBride, Dick, Carey, etc. "Dandy Allan", as he was styled, was a handsome man over 6 ft, wore a Glengarry bonnet and the ribbons hanging down his shoulder with a staff he looked like a Drum Major, and he followed the Band everywhere. The band were in great demand at that period for excursions, etc. but it took a day and a half for an excursion. They had to leave at 5 a.m. in the morning, play in Bridgeton, through Glasgow Green to the Broomielaw and return about 11 or 12 at night. No conveyance of any kind then. On the first day of the year 1900 and the new Century, the Shettleston Band arranged a march through the town and the Bells struck 12, the Band marched through the Main Street, etc. from the reminiscences of Dan McAleer - October 1930.
In 1879 it took part in a procession in August to inaugurate the Kilmarnock Burns Monument and Kay Park, accompanying the Foresters Lodge.
Sheviock Prize Band (Cornwall): Active in 1913 - it folded about the end of the first war when the vicar who inspired it and trained it left the parish.
Shieldhill Silver Band (Falkirk): Formed prior to 1900 and still active in the 1950s. Walter Heeps was the principal cornet player in 1901.
Shilbottle Colliery Band: Formed in 1891
Shildon British Railways Band (County Durham): Formed in 1890s as Shildon Saxhorn Band. When a debt of the band was paid off it changed its name to Shildon Wesleyan Band. Probably also known as Shildon Town Band. Later it became Shildon LNER Works Band and then Shildon British Railways Band. In 1937 the President of the band was W. Wells Hood D.S.O., and the Musical Director was T. Collinson B.B.C.M. During 1937 it won 10 first prizes, 6 challenge cups and 11 medals. A report in 1848 noted that a Shildon Works Band was "supplying music at a social function which included influential people such as Timothy Hackworth and Henry Pease." The band had folded by the early 1980s when the Shildon Works was closed.
Shildon LNER Works Band: See: Shildon British Railways Band
Shildon L.N.E.R. Works Silver Band: See: Shildon British Railways Band
Shildon Saxhorn Band: See: Shildon British Railways Band
Shildon Town Band (1): Formed in 1937
Shildon Town Band (2): See: Shildon British Railways Band
Shildon Wesleyan Band: See: Shildon British Railways Band
Shildon Works Brass Band: See: Shildon British Railways Band
Shiney Row Band: See: Shiney Row and District Silver Prize Band
Shiney Row and District Silver Prize Band (Co. Durham): Active in the 1900s and through to 1929
Shipley Brass Band: Active in 1894 andn 1905
Shipston-on-Stour Brass Band: Active in the 1900s
Shipton Brass Band (Gloucestershire): Active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
Shire Oak Brass Band: Active in 1979 - Shire Oak School
Shirebrook Adult School Band: See: Shirebrook Silver Prize Band
Shirebrook Silver Prize Band (Nottinghamshire): Formed September 1903 as the Shirebrook Adult School Band
Shireoaks Colliery Band
Shireoaks Prize Band: Active in 1910
Shoeburyness Boys Band: Active in 1922
Shoreditch Borough United Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Short Heath Brass Band (near Walsall)
Shotton Colliery Band (County Durham) [1]: Active in early 1900s, probably disbanded at/during WW1
Shotton Colliery Band (County Durham) [2]: Founded in 1920, disbanded in 1972. Also known as Shotton Model Silver Band
Shotton Colliery Band (County Durham) [3]: Reformed in 1981and disbanded around 1995
Shotton Model Silver Band: See: Shotton Colliery Band (2)
Shotts Foundry Band (Scotland): Active in 1933
Shrewsbury Amateur Promenade Band: Active in 1873
Sibford Band (Warwickshire): Active around 1900
Silchester and District Temperance Band: Won the Holbrook Cup in 1921
Sileby Adult School Brass Band (Leicestershire): Won a contest at Humberstone Hall in 1902
Sileby Imperial Silver Band (Leicestershire): See: Sileby Town Band
Sileby Town Band (Leicestershire): Active in 1920
Silverdale Temperance Band: Active in 1888
Silverdale Town Prize Band (Staffordshire): Active in 1898
Silverton Town Band (Devon)
Silverton Temperance Band (Devon)
Silverwood Colliery Band (Rotherham): Formed May 1909. See website
Single Hill Silver Prize Band: Active in 1917, when it took part in the following celebration: "On Wednesday evening there was a large gathering of inhabitants of Shoscombe, Wellow and the district including several miners employed at the Braysdown Colliery who met to show their appreciation of the heroic conduct of a Wellow man named Herbert Golledge, a miner employed at Braysdown Colliery, who upon a recent occasion performed a daring deed while at work in the colliery, and rendered very timely and valuable aid to the under manager Mr George Weeks, who had met with a serious accident while riding in the cage in the shaft of the colliery. The gathering took place in the Shoscombe Church Schools, which had kindly been placed at the disposal of the promoters by the vicar of Wellow, the Rev L.G.G. Horton and the managers. In honour of the occasion the Single Hill Silver Prize Band, under Mr George Montague's conductorship turned out and in addition to rendering suitable music in the open air before and after the proceedings played two selections in a highly creditable manner in the school-room, where a glee party, under Mr James Maggs, also gave a couple of glees."
Singlehill Brass Band: See: Single Hill Silver Prize Band
Sirdar (Wakefield) Band: Active in the 1970s/80s.
Six Ways Mission Band (Smethwick, Birmingham): Active around 1900.
Skaife's Band (Middleton): Active in 1897
Skegness Boy's Brigade Band: Formed in 1908 under the direction of J. Hudson but had to disband on the outbreak of hostilities in 1914, since most of the men were territorials. A new Skegness Town Band was formed in 1928.
Skelmersdale Old Band: Active in 1913 and 1938
Skelton Old Band (Cleveland): Active between 1900s and 1920s. Also known as Skelton Volunteer Band
Skelton Volunteer Band: See: Skelton Old Band
Skewen Band (Neath)
Skinningrove Iron and Steel Works Band (North Lofthouse): Formed in the 1890s. Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Folded around WW2
Skinningrove Miners' Band (North Lofthouse)
Skipton Mission Band: See: Skipton Properties Band
Skipton Prize Band: See: Skipton Properties Band
Skipton Properties Band: Formed around 1870 as Jack Guy's Skipton Mission Band, later named Skipton Prize Band in 1919, it disbanded in 2002.
Sladesbridge Band (Cornwall)
Sleetburn Colliery Band (Willington): Formed in the 1890s, later known as New Brancepeth Colliery Band. Still active in 1914
Slindon Brass Band (near Chichester): Active around 1870
Slough & Chalvey Brass Band: Active in 1896 when it played a promenade concert at the Dolphin Ground in Slough on July 15th
Slough Town Band
Smallthorne Excelsior Band: Active in 1933
Smallthorne Public Band: Active in 1930s
Smethwick Foresters Brass Band (West Bromwich): Active in 1866
Smith & Ashby Foundry Band: Robert Smith was a talented musician. He encouraged an interest in music among a number of his workmen and organised them into a brass band. They first performed at the showroom's opening concert and by December 1855 they were thought proficient enough to give their first public concert. The firm provided the instruments and uniforms, at a total cost of Ł200, but the band members had to undertake to purchase them from their weekly wages. It was serious commitment for men who probably not well paid. Throughout the following years the Foundry Band, as it came to be called, became a popular ingredient of the Stamford social scene. Regular concerts were given and the band took part in the celebrations to mark the end of the Crimea War. Smith's Works Band still active in 1923.
Smith's Band: See: Smith & Ashby Foundry Band
Smith's Works Band: See: Smith & Ashby Foundry Band
Smyllum School Band (Lanark): A band formed at the Smyllum Orphanage School in the 1940s/50s
Snibston Colliery BandSee: William Davis Construction Group Band
Snibston Colliery Silver Prize Band: See: William Davis Construction Group Band
Snitterfield Band (Warwickshire): Active around 1885
Soham Excelsior Band: Formed 1910. Amalgamated with Soham Town Band in 1920 to form Soham Comrades Band.
Soham Town Band: Formed 1890. Amalgamated with Soham Excelsior Band in 1920 to form Soham Comrades Band.
Soho Iron Works Band (Bolton): Bolton Free Press 23rd August 1845. - "John Hick's Esq, Band. The admirable full brass band of individuals employed in the Soho Iron Works, in this town, belonging to John Hicks have been on a pleasure trip to Liverpool, Bangor and North Wales. The band excited much attention in consequence of their unique and elegant uniform, which consists of a rich full braided coat, black trousers, with two-inch gold lace down the sides and blue cap with gold band. They played several airs through the principle Streets of Bolton last Saturday in full dress; and their appearance and performance called for general admiration of the public". The band continued to have annual dinners through the 1850's, but no references to the band later than the 1870's have been found.
Solent Brass: See Southampton Air Training Corps Band
Solihull Brass Band: Active in 1887
Solway Band: Active in 1933
Solway Silver Band (Maryport, Cumbria): See: Solway Band
Somersham Town Band: Formed in 1919 but folded in 1962. A successor band was formed in 1981
Sonning Silver Band (Berkshire): Active in 1938, conducted by R. Lambden.
Soundwell Band (Bristol): Active in the 1970s. Also known as Swanbrook Soundwell Band.
South Bank Band (near Middlesborough): Active in the 1900s and still going in the 1950s
South Bank Old Band: See: South Bank Band
South Cave Brass Band: See: South Cave Subscription Silver Band
South Cave Subscription Silver Band (Humberside): Active in 1925
South Derwent Band (Annfield Plain): Formed in 1891, still active in the 1930s
South Derwent Colliery Band: See: South Derwent Band
South East London Mission Brass Band: Active in 1907
South of England Temperance Band: Active in 1903
South Kirkby Band: Active in 1932
South Kirkby Colliery Brass Band
South Leicester Welfare Band: Active in 1972
South Moor Colliery Silver Prize Band (County Durham): Formed in the 1890s. Won the "Grand Shield" in the Crystal Palace Championships of September 28th 1907, and achieved 3rd place in the National Championships, behind Irwell Colliery and Marsden Colliery Bands in 1925, under the baton of Joe Dyson. Folded in the 1960s
South Norwood Band
South Notts Silver Band: Won the "Iles Challenge Shield" in the Crystal Palace Championships of 1926
South Notts Temperance Band: See: South Nottinghamshire Temperance Silver Band
South Nottinghamshire Temperance Silver Band: Active in the 1880s and 1912
South Ormsby Band (Lincolnshire)
South Petherwin Band (Cornwall)
South Queensferry and Dalmeny Brass Band: Active in 1904
South Salford Prize Band (Manchester): Active in 1920 when it performed at the first of a series of public dances in Ordsall Park, Salford in June. "Crowds gathered to watch the spectacle. The dances consisted of only waltzes, one-steps and two-steps. 'Jazzing' was banned, though many couples branched off into solo figures." In June 1922, conducted by William Owen, it took part in a musical festival in aid of Salford Royal Hospital, which attracted some 30,000 people to the Castle Irwell Racecourse.
South Salford Silver Band (Manchester): Active in 1900 - "The seventh annual treat to the poor children of South Salford took place when 438 boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 12 were taken to Blackpool. The streets were thronged with spectators as the large party marched to the Racecourse Station, Trafford Road, behind the South Salford Silver Band. On arrival at Blackpool's South Shore Station they again marched behind the Silver Band along the promenade to the South Shore. (August 1900)"
South Shields Borough Band (1): See: St Hilda Colliery Band
South Shields Borough Band (2): Formed in 1888
South Shields Garibaldi Band: Formed in 1899 and still active in 1907
South Shields Harmonic Band: Formed in 1889 and still active in 1914
South Shields Model Band: Active between 1931 and 1934
South Shields Police Band: Active between 1908 and 1915
South Shields Temperance Band: See: Marsden Colliery Band
South Shore Subscription Band: Active around 1910
South Side Brass Band (Glasgow)
South Tanfield Band: Active around 1892
South Tottenham Primitive Methodist Brass Band: Active in 1908
Southall Brass Band (Middlesex): See: Ealing Central Band
Southall Gasworks Brass Band (Middlesex)
Southam Town Band: Active in 1924
Southam Works Band: Active in 1924. Belonging to the Kaye & Co. Lime and Cement Works.
Southampton Air Training Corps Band: Formed just before World War 2. and developed into a 'mature' band when the young cadets became too old for the Corps. After the War the Band's membership was increased and enhanced by returning ex-servicemen, and became known as the Bitterne and West End Band, as its location base had changed to the eastern part of the city. Competed in the 2nd Annual Open Brass Band Festival at the Wesley Central Hall, Portsmouth (organised by the Portsmouth City Fire Brigade Prize Band), on Saturday 16th September 1950. It changed its name again in the early 1970s to Solent Brass. In 1993 Solent Brass was employed to provide music for a scene in the film The Browning Version, starring Albert Finney (released 1994), resulting in a mention in the film's credits. As membership declined in the 1990s, the band amalgamated with the Southampton Central Band in 1998 to form Ocean Brass.
Southampton Central Band: Formed in the 1960s by a group of dedicated youngsters who wished to continue playing after leaving school. Under the baton of it's founder Gordon Cutler, it was based at the Central School (Further Education Centre) it quickly expanded into a full sized band. Within a short period of time a competent band had emerged and the Southampton Central (FEC) Band was officially registered as a contesting band in 1970, entering its first contest later that year. By 1979 the Band had gained promotion to the Championship Section, but by 1998 found itself back in the second section with its membership declining, prompting the amalgamation with Solent Brass to form Ocean Brass.
Southampton Town Band: Active in 1913
Southborne Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Southbourne Silver Band: See: Winton British Legion Silver Band
Southdown Brass Band (Burgess Hill): Active in 1912
Southend-on-Sea British Legion Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Southend-on-Sea Gospel Mission Band
Southend Temperance Band
Southend United Supporters Club Band: Active in the late 1950s
Southern Railway Works Brass Band (Lancing)
Southowram Prize Band: Formed in 1901, disbanded in 1927 (or 1938?). The band won a special prize for cornet playing at Crystal Palace in 1923, and was one of the best bands in Calderdale in the early 20th century.
Southowram Subscription Band: Letters of the band (1869-1870) held in Halifax Public Library
Southport Rifles Band: Had William Rimmer as a cornetist c.1880
Southport Special Constabulary Band: See: Tudor Silver Band
Southwick Public Works Band (Sunderland): Active in the 1900s
Sowerby Bridge Subscription Band (Yorkshire)
Spalding Silver Prize Band: Active in 1904
Spalding Town Band: Disbanded in 1959. Some members went on to form the Royal British Legion (Spalding) Band in 1960 or 1962
Speedwell Colliery Band: Active in the early 1880s
Spenborough Victoria Band: Active in the 1920s
Spencer's Steelworks Band (Newcastle): Played at the Manor of Newburn Show in August 1853. Active in the National Championships in the early 1900s
Spennymoor Brass Band: See: Whitworth Band
Spennymoor Silver Model Band: See: Whitworth Band
Spennymoor Silver Prize Band: See: Whitworth Band
Spennymoor Sons of Temperance Band: Active in 1887, still active in the 1930s
Spennymoor Temperance Band: See: Spennymoor Sons of Temperance Band
Spennymoor Town Band: See: Whitworth Band
Spillers (Gainsborough) Band: See: Gainsborough Britannia Works Band
Spilsby Brass Band (Lincolnshire)
Spondon Grange Brass Band (Derbyshire): Active in 1926 when it organised its fifth annual brass band contest for the Finney Challenge Cup, on June 5th 1926. "Admission to the Ground" was 1/- "including tax", and twopence for the programme and further twopence for a chair. The test piece was "Melodious Gems" and ten bands entered: Heanor Miners Welfare Band (F. Beecroft, Esq), Ripley United Silver Prize Band (W.J. Saint, Esq), Middleton Victoria Silver Band (H. Holmes, Esq.), Sandiacre Brass Band (W. Wells, Esq.), Dove Holes Public Prize Band (J.W.Greenwood, Esq.), Long Eaton Silver Prize Band (H. Evetts, Esq.), Stapleford Silver Band (W. Wood, Esq.), Pleasley Colliery Band (H. Lambeth, Esq.), Sawley Brotherhood Band (F. Yeomand, Esq.), Swadlincote Town Silver Prize Band (A. Hilton, Esq.). The Middleton Victoria Silver Band won the contest; with Dove Holes Public Prize Band winning the subsequent own choice march contest. Long Eaton Silver Prize Band was second and Pleasley Colliery Band third in each contest.
Spriggs Brass Band (Scunthorpe)
Springburn Silver Prize Band (Glasgow): Active around 1890 to 1910. James Reid's gift of a bandstand to the people of Springburn in 1891 had highlighted the absence of any recreational area and led to the creation of Springburn Park. The bandstand, manufactured by Walter McFarlane's Saracen Works, was erected in May 1893 and was the park's original centrepiece. Performances by groups such as the Springburn Silver Prize Band took place twice weekly from May to December and were intimated by the Union Jack flying from the nearby flagpole. Up to 2000 people attended the summer concerts. The bandstand was later moved and placed in an amphitheatre and surrounded by railings, before being removed altogether in the early 1960s due to increasing maintenance costs. The unicorn fountain now sits on the old site of the bandstand.
Springfield Brass Band (Bexhill, Sussex): Active in 1911
Springfield Hall Brass Band
Springfield Working Men's Club Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Stafford Borough and British Legion Brass Band: See: Stafford Brass Band
Stafford Brass Band: Formed at the English Electric Lichfield Road works during World War II. In the late 1940s the band moved to the Royal British Legion headquarters in Eastgate Street and became Stafford British Legion Band. The band was also later known as the Stafford Borough and British Legion Band and Stafford Concert Brass, and was still active up to the late 1980s
Stafford British Legion Band: See: Stafford Brass Band
Stafford Concert Brass: See: Stafford Brass Band
Stafford Street Mission Band (Mansfield)
Stagsden Brass Band (Bedfordshire)
Staindrop Band: Active in the 1900s and into the 1930s
Staines Town Band: Active in 1885
Stalybridge Borough Band: Active in the 1860s-1880s through to 1930s/40s
Stamshaw Brass Band (Portsmouth): Active in the 1990s - it folded around 2000.
Standard Ironworks Band: See: Davey Paxman Standard Ironworks Band
Standfast Works Band (Lancashire): Active in the 1930s
Standish Band (Wigan): Formed in 1873 as a village band by the name of Crooke Band. Crooke is a small village about 2.5 miles to the north-east of Wigan. Following WW2 it was reformed as Crooke Miners Welfare Band in 1950. As Wigan Collieries closed down, the Band again changed names to Kirkless (NCB) Band. In 1987 it became the Quaker House Colliery Band. In 1990, the mine closed and with it went the sponsorship and Standish Band came into being. It mergerd with the Coppull Subscription Band in 2005 to form the Coppull and Standish Band.
Standish Subscription Band (Wigan): Competed in the First Annual Brass Band Contest organised by Wigan Borough Prize Band in 1943 (conducted by F. Wilson).
Standlake Brass Band: During the 19th century entertainment became more organised with concerts and dramatic activities proving very popular. Standlake had had its own Annual Fair from the mid 1800s, later becoming a pleasure fair with stalls along the High Street and in 1881 the Flower Show was established, eventually developing into a large village fete. These both survived until after the Second World War. Towards the end of the 19th century the Standlake Brass Band was started by a retired schoolmaster and lasted some ten or fifteen years. It was not universally popular and was described not too long ago by an older resident as "that terrible band".
Stanhope Saxhorn Band: Competed in July 1860 at the Crystal Palace, London, conducted by Mr de-Lacey, they had massive success with their placement being 5th out of 15 bands! The band declined until 1881 when new instruments were purchased, however after 1895 interest again died down.
Standlake Village Band: Active in 1907
Standon Farm Brass Band (Staffordshire): Active in the late 1800s & early 1900s. The band was formed from boys who were resident at the Standon Farm Home For Boys. The instrumentation was largely brass with a few woodwind instruments. The Standon Home was established in 1885, as only the second boys’ home in the Waifs and Strays' Society (later The Children's Society). Standon Farm initially housed fifty boys (aged 10-14), reaching 90 boys in a few years and also increasing the age range to 16 in 1908. Its primary purpose was to provide education and specifically agricultural training. The home closed in 1947.
Stanford-le-Hope Band (Essex): Active in 1928
Stanley Colliery Band (West Stanley): Active in the 1890s and still active in 1938
Stanley Common Band (Ilkeston)
Stanley Dry Soap Works Band (Liverpool): Active in 1885
Stanley Methodist Mission Band (Co. Durham): Active in 1893
Stanley Subscription Prize Band: Active in 1921
Stanley West Temperance Band
Stanley West Town Band
Stanningley and District Subscription Band: Active in the 1950s
Stanningley Band (Leeds): Active in 1872
Stanshawe (Bristol) Band: See: Stanshawe/Sun Life Band
Stanshawe Band: See: Stanshawe/Sun Life Band
Stanshawe/Sun Life Band (Bristol): The band was founded as the Stanshawe Band (1968) and modified its name to Stanshawe (Bristol) Band (1972). On receiving sponsorship from Axa Sun Life they changed again to Sun Life Stanshawe Band (1978) and finally to simply the Sun Life Band (1983). They disbanded in January 1997. For more information see Stanshawe/Sun Life Band - unofficial historical site
Stanton and Staveley Band
Stapenhill Band (Staffordshire): Active in the 1900s
Stapleford Silver Band: Active in 1926, when it entered the Spondon Contest, conducted by W. Wood
Stapleton Brass (Bristol): Active in 1864, when they took part in the processions celebrating the official opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
Star of Temperance Brass Band (Widnes): Report of the Penketh Methodist Church School in 1880: "For many years the Good Friday Tea Meeting was a great day in the School's year. Its origin is interesting. It had become the custom for a fair to be held at Fiddler's Ferry on that day and crowds came by train from Widnes and Warrington to enjoy a day in the country. The affair usually ended in alcoholic disorder and riot. It was, of course, a great attraction to the youth of the village and non-conformist consciences were deeply troubled. In 1880, in an attempt to provide a counter attraction, the first Tea Meeting was held. The Star of Temperance Brass Band from Widnes paraded through the village beforehand to publicise it, and played at the Penketh Methodist Church School during the evening."
Star of the West Band (Crewkerne)
Starbeck Brass Band (Harrogate): Formed by Samuel Day in 1904 and , after rehearsing in a house on Stonefall Avenue, found a more permanent home on Back Regent Place in 1906.
Staveley Brass Band: See: Staveley Silver Band
Staveley Volunteers Band (Cumbria)
Staveley Iron & Chemical Works Band: See: Staveley Works Band
Staveley Silver Band (Cumbria): Active in the 1950s
Staveley Works Band (Derbyshire): Formed 1895 as Barrow Hill Prize Band, later Barrow Hill & Staveley United Prize Band, Barrow Hill & Staveley Works Silver Prize Band. The band was attached to the Staveley Works Ambulance Corps. Active during the 1950s
Staveley Works Band (Sheffield?): Active in 1866
Steel and Garland Priory Foundry Band (Worksop): Conductor was Mr E. Russon in 1910. On November 18th 1910, the Worksop Old Soldiers Association held their Annual Church Parade, and the Priory Foundry Band took part in the procession, along with the Worksop Town Band and Shireoaks Band. In the evening a concert was given at the Gaiety Theatre. The Priory Foundry Band played selections. Bandsman Craven of the Priory Foundry Band received first prize for the smartest Bandsman.
Steel, Peech and Tozer Phoenix Works Band (Rotherham): Active in the 1930/40s.
Steel Company of Wales Band: Competed in the 1964 West of England Regional Championships (2nd Section), conducted by H. Nuttall
Stella Colleries Workman's Band: Active in the 1900s and folded after WW1. Stella Company owned several collieries near Durham.
Stenalees Band (Cornwall): Active in 1928.
Stevenage Band (Hertfordshire)
Stevenson Box Works Band (Manchester): When it disbanded its instruments helped to form the Central Manchester Band.
Steventon Band (Oxfordshire): Active in 1933
Stewarton Brass Band
Stewartry Brass Band
Steyning Brass Band: Formed c.1874 and was still active in 1944.
Steyning Town Brass Band: See: Steyning Brass Band
Stibbard Silver Prize Band (Norfolk): Founded by John Abram
Sticker Brass Band (Cornwall): Records of the band, from 1914-1928, are held by Cornwall Record Office
Stinchcombe Silver Band: Founded as a Brass Band in 1898 by Anthony Williams and continued for over 75 years. During World War II it suffered from a brief suspension of activities, but resumed its charitable and social activities until the nineteen-eighties. It gained a high reputation for its musicianship under Mr. D. Smith who died in recent years. In its heyday it used to provide an annual Christmas concert with a supper and food parcels for the elderly. It also toured the village playing carols outside groups of houses or actually playing inside the larger houses. These were very convivial occasions and one can say that a high note was struck. It also played in Dursley in the festive season and gave concerts and competed, with success, in competitions for local bands. There is a story about the band playing one Christmas to a haystack in the late evening during one of its tours through the lanes, until a walker going in the band's direction called out "that aint a 'ouse - it's a 'aystack". [Note: similar stories are told of Potterspury Band and Woodchurch Band!]. It is sad that this feature of Stinchcombe life has disappeared. Among the village names which figured among many others are; Attwood, Burcombe, Clark, Summers, Woodward, and the members of the band were ably supported by their wives who undertook the catering for the Christmas party for the pensioners and similar duties for other occasions. (Source: Stinchcombe Parish Magazine)
Stirling Burgh Band: Active in 1928, conducted by W. Drummond.
Stirling Public Band
Stockfield Mission Band (Birmingham)
Stockingford Brass Band (Nuneaton)
Stockport Borough Silver Band: Active in 1937
Stockport C.M.S. Band: Active in 1936
Stocksbridge Band: Instituted in 1871. Over the next 17 years attended 52 contests winning 43 prizes, value £336. Conductor in 1888 was Charles Marsden. Also known as Stocksbridge Works Band, associated with the Stocksbridge Steel Works, it folded in the early 1980s
Stocksbridge Old Prize Band: Active in 1920s
Stocksbridge Works Band: See: Stocksbridge Band
Stockton Borough Band: Active in 1910
Stockton Catholic Band (Stockton-on-Tees): Formed in the 1890s
Stockton Druids Band (Stockton-on-Tees): Active in 1906
Stockton Malleable Band (Stockton-on-Tees): Active in 1876 when it competed in a contest at Hartlepool on 6th June. Still active in 1947
Stockton Malleable Institute Band: See: Stockton Malleable Band
Stockton Model Band (Stockton-on-Tees): Active in the 1890s
Stockton Municipal Band (Stockton-on-Tees): Active in 1937
Stockton Simonettes Volunteer Band (Stockton-on-Tees): Formed in the 1890s and active in 1911
Stoke-sub-Hamdon Band: Formed in 1891 and disbanded around 1930. A new band was formed in the village in 1945.
Stone Volunteer Band (Staffordshire): Active around 1890, it was formed by Band Sergeant H. Wood from members of Stone's battalion of volunteers. Several of Sergeant Wood's sons served in the company and played in the band. The band was very popular and played at numerous events and dances throughout the area. On Whit Monday 1889 they had the honour of being the first band to play on the bandstand in Longton Park.
Stonehouse Silver Band: Active in 1928
Stoney Stanton Silver Band (Leicestershire): Active in the 1930s
Stoneyburn and District Collieries Band: Active in 1957
Stoneyburn and District Public Brass Band: Active in 1923
Stoneyburn Brass Band: Played at the Loganlea Gala, Addiewell, Midlothian in 1949
Stoneywood and Auchmull Union Band (Aberdeen): Formed in 1850 by George Gibb together with John Beveridge and ten others. Auchmull was the earlier name from the village now known as Bucksburn,and the term 'Union' appears to have been adopted simply to signify that the two villages were united in the band. New instruments were purchased for the twelve original members, but their ownership was vested in a trust as the public property of the two villages. A letter, that was circulated to local gentlemen in an effort to secure funding for the band, read ".... we trust, that through the liberality of the friends of progress, we will be enabled to bring it within the reach of all who have a desire for the cultivation of Music, Thus forming a source of harmless recreation to us, and a pleasing gratification to the community generally". In 1908 the band was given a new constitution under the name of The Stoneywood Brass Band. A formal link was now established with Alex Pirie & Sons Paper Mill and band practices were held in The Works Hall. It soon became the best known band in the North East of Scotland. By the end of the Second World War the name had been changed to Stoneywood Silver Band. In the post war years the band travelled widely to take part in contests - this included several trips to London for national finals. By the 1980's the link with the mill was finally severed. New rehearsal accommodation was offered by UDI, an off-shore services company with premises in Bridge of Don, and the band changed its name to UDI Brass. In 1997 UDI Brass merged with Aberdeen City Band.
Stoneywood Brass Band: See: Stoneywood and Auchmull Union Band
Stoneywood Silver Band: See: Stoneywood and Auchmull Union Band
Stoneywood Works Band: See: Stoneywood and Auchmull Union Band
Stony Stratford Band: Formed in the 1860s and lasted until 1929
Stourbridge Iron Works Band: Active in 1864
Stourton Memorial Public Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Strand Union Band (Tottenham): Active in 1905
Strandtown Silver Band (Northern Ireland)
Stratford Co-operative Employees Band: Active in 1910
Stratford-upon-Avon Brass Band: Active in 1865. From the Petty Sessions Court - "Agreement between Thomas Hutchings of S/A, Captain, 4th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, and the Executive Committee of the Stratford-on-Avon Town Band for the purchase of instruments and uniforms, 5 May 1893."
From the Stratford Sessions Court - "notice of plaint in Henry Mathews (pro Stratford-upon-Avon Brass Band) Professor of Music v. William Mills, Stratford-upon-Avon, needle stamper, for recovery of instrument, music and uniform."
Stratton Brass Band (Cornwall)
Stratton Town Band (Cornwall): Formed 1846
Streetfold Band (Manchester): Formed in 1919 as the Streetfold Band, later known as Streetfold Methodist Band, Streetfold Prize Band, Moston Band, Moston and Beswick Band (1965-2000). It folded in January 2006. Along the way it amalgamated with the Beswick Prize Band in 1965, and then with Chain Bar Methodist Band in early 1980s. The following account is provided by Arthur Hall as he neared his 93rd birthday in 2000.
"By tradition Streetfold Methodist Church took part in the Whit Friday Procession of Witness following the Beswick Prize Band, who charged a fee. My father, George Hall, who was the Sunday school secretary, collected a penny a week from the members of the church, so that the cost was spread over the twelve-month's period. The Primary Sunday school led the way followed by the church banner with the senior girls holding the banner ropes. The banner depicted Holman Hunt's "The Light of the World". Behind this walked members of the Sunday school followed by the church members. After the First World War, although some of the young men had died in action, a number returned and felt that if other churches, for example Culcheth, had bands, they could found a similar band. It was decided to contact Boosey & Hawkes to find out how much a complete set of instruments would cost. The figure was a little frightening but my father and some like-minded folk said they would raise the money. Each member of the group provided an interest free loan of Ł10 (which was approx. 1 month's pay for a manager and 6 week's pay for a labourer). The loan raised rather more than Ł2000 and it took four years to raise the capital. Not only did this money but the instruments, but it paid for the church to be wired for electricity and coke-fired central heating to be fitted. The last Ł500 paid for the installation of the organ, a gift from the family of a young man from Chester, Lt. Smith (?) who was killed in the Great War. On the front of the organ, behind the pulpit, was a panel of eleven dummy pipes which, with a brass plate, constituted the War Memorial to the eleven soldiers from Stretford who were killed in action between 1914 and 1918. Having got the instruments, the problem remained to find teachers. Because of the long association with Beswick Band, and appeal was made for help. Mr. Nelson and Mr. Cartwright came to take on the job. It is not clear if they got paid or just got expenses, but they were good at the job. Mr. Nelson became bandmaster and Mr. Cartwright his assistant. Mr. Cartwright had special responsibility for the trombone section. On the night that the instruments were issued I was at the Manchester College of Technology following a course in building and quantity surveying. However, I became the temporary owner of a Flugel horn whilst Donald Whittaker and Eddie Bethell were in the trombone section. Mr. Youd, who was a very good player, led the cornet section. Having the instruments we now needed music stands which my father provided from 3 x 2 uprights and tongue and grooved floor boards, It was the job of the first members on the scene to see that the stands formed a square with Mr. Nelson in the centre giving encouragement and at times admonishing the naked but enthusiastic talent. The trombones were now joined by Fred Eastwood and they made good progress. We later found out that they had marked the notes on the slides with scratches. The band progressed and it was with some anxiety that the Whitsun walk approached. The band had no uniform so we decided to wear straw 'kaydees' which were in vogue as head gear (at this time Culcheth wore top hats and were known as the Culcheth Tall Hat Band). The band lined up for its first public appearance and as we moved towards the Ben Brierley Public House, at the corner of Kenyon Lane, the heavens opened and it was like hailstones beating on top of the 'kaydees'. Needless to say, we survived. On Saturday afternoons, those of us that could be present, used to go to Johnny Brook's farm near the Bluebell Hotel. There were only cows to complain if you played the wrong note. Mr. Youd was in charge of the motley but enthusiastic group of players. As time passed, the band became better and better and we started to enter band competitions. We were up against some of the top bands in the country who used the small events on their way home from garden parties to boost their prize money. However, the day arrived when in competition we won the contest and became Streetfold Prize Band. Someone had fixed a sign on the front of the big drum and Mr. Nelson was presented with a bandmaster's coat by a firm who made band uniforms. At the same time, the euphonium player won the gold medal for his solo. The band had arrived. At this juncture due to pressure at night school, I had to withdraw from the band. It was good fellowship and whilst I maintained my friendship with individuals, the band had to take second place."
Street Fold Methodist Band: See: Streetfold Band
Street Fold Prize Band: See: Streetfold Band
Stretford Borough Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Stretford Old Prize Band (Manchester): Formed July 1877 as Stretford Church Band.
Strood Gospel Mission Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Stroud District Band: Formed March 1945 from the 7th Battalion Gloucesters Home Guard Band
Stroud Town Band: Active in around 1910
Stubbins Vale Band: Active in the 1940s
Stubbs Band (Sunraysia area, Australia): Founded in 1907, merged with the Irymple Brass Band in 1909 to form the present-day Mildura District Brass Band
Stubshire Cross Brass Band (Manchester): Active in the 1950s
Summer's Steel Works Band (Shotton, Chester): Active in 1927 and 1948
Summerseat Brass Band (Lancashire): Active in the 1920s
Sun Life Band: See: Stanshawe/Sun Life Band
Sun Life Stanshawe Band: See: Stanshawe/Sun Life Band
Sunderland Borough Police Band: Formed 1866, still active in 1940
Sunderland British Legion Band: Formed after 1918
Sunderland East End Band: Formed in the 1890s - may have folded during WW1
Sunderland Highways Silver Prize Band: Formed August 1946
Sunderland Naval Band: Active between 1899 and 1916
Sunderland Police Band: See: Borough Police Band
Sunderland Sailor Boys Band: Active in 1904
Sunderland Shipbuilders Band: Active in 1923, possibly formed in the early 1900s
Sunderland Youth International Concert Band: Active in the late 1960s, early 1970s
Sunniside Colliery Band (Tow Law): Folded after WW2
Sunnybrow Colliery Band (Willington): Founded in the 1890s and folded during/after WW2
Sunraysia District Band (Sunraysia area, Australia): Founded in 1929
Surrey Street Mission Band (Kings Lynn): Active between the 1890s and 1920s. Later known as Kings Lynn Imperial Silver Band
Surrey Street Silver Band (Kings Lynn): See: Surrey Street Mission Band
Sutton and Cherington Brass Band (Warwickshire): Active in 1935
Sutton Brass Band (Sutton-on-Trent): The Worksop Journal reported that on Whit Monday 1856, when three Friendly Societies formed a procession, three Bands took part. After the procession to the Parish Church and Divine Service, they dined at various hostelries. The Old Abbey Club dined at the Corn Exchange where Mr Marshall of the Greyhound Inn catered for 240 persons. The Mosbro' Band attended and played appropriate airs after each toast. The Golden Ball Friendly Society dined in their large room.... and the Sherwood Rangers Band contributed to the pleasure of the day. The Wheat Sheaf Club dined at the club room of the Wheat Sheaf Inn, and the Sutton Brass Band very much delighted the Society with their performances. The Sutton Band was still active in 1898 when they took part in the Newark celebrations of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
Sutton-in-Ashfield Brass Band: Active in 1873 when it provided the entertainment commemorating a new club at the Pilsley Colliery Company on 6th September 1873.
Sutton Harmonic Band (Sutton-in-Ashfield): Active in 1894
Sutton Manor Colliery Band: Active in the 1930s
Sutton Old Band (Sutton-in-Ashfield): See: Sutton-in-Ashfield Brass Band
Sutton Scotney Brass Band (Nr. Winchester, Hampshire): Probably formed between the two world wars and folded in the early 1970s. Stuart Hay, a member of the band from 1954 through 1966, recalls: "At the age of 11 I was taught to play cornet by Fred Mathews - Euphonium, along with three other local kids from the village of Springvale near Kings Worthy. The band operated out of the local Springvale British Legion Club hall on Wednesday nights. At that time the band mustered about one dozen with two members from the village of origin Sutton Scotney - Fred Taylor - Tuba of Taylor Motors, and Stan ? - cornet. Other members came from Winchester and the surrounding villages as far out as Micheldever and a couple of Navy bandsmen from Worthy Down Fleet Air Arm Corps. Public performances were few, village fates, summer carnivals, Armistice Day parades and Christmas caroling - these events were augmented by musicians from Whitchurch and Andover Brass Bands. The three bands combined their forces for each others engagements and consequently were well travelled from Hungerford to Winchester and all places between. By the late 50's rehearsals had moved to the top floor of the Co-op Bakery in Winchester which happened to be directly opposite and in-the-line-of-fire of the belfry of Winchester Cathedral - rehearsals continued at the Co-op for several years until the Cathedral bell ringers decided to run their rehearsal at the same time at band practice - it was no contest so we moved to a room over the local Willow Tree Inn somewhat sheltered from the cathedral by the towering structure of the old bakery but never completely free of those infernal bells - on reflection I'd put it that they made a significant contribution to the bands demise. The band continued to operate into the early 70's - I'd estimate the band folded by 1973 and I believe the instruments were donated to the Hampshire Schools Brass Band"
Sutton Town Band: Active in the 1880s
Sutton Village Brass Band (Cambridgeshire): Records of the band, from 1893-1906, are held by Cambridgeshire County Record Office, Cambridge
Swadlincote Town Silver Prize Band: Active in 1926, when it entered the Spondon Contest, conducted by A. Hilton. Competed in a brass band contest at Overseal, Leicestershire in July 1921, under conductor C. Sharpe (drawn 9 of 11 bands, they were not placed)
Swainby Village Band (Yorkshire): Active in 1905
Swalwell Band (Gateshead): Formed in the 1890s, folded in the 1920s
Swan Foundry Band: Active in the 19th century. The works band of the W.J. Hillson Swan Foundry in Langley, Worcestershire.
Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Band: See: Swan Hunter Band
Swan Hunter Band (Tyneside): Formed in the 1900s, later known as Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Band (1937). Folded in the 1950s
Swan Hunter Silver Prize Band: Active in 1977
Swanage Brass Band
Swanage Town Band
Swanbourne Excelsior Band: Active in the 1900s
Swanbrook Soundwell Band: See: Soundwell Band
Swanbrook Transport Band: Active in 1979/80
Swansea National Fire Service Band
Swanwick Collieries Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Conducted from 1926 by Edward P. Snook, b. 1888, who had been a highly regarded bandmaster in the Royal Marines. Known as Swanwick Collieries Silver Prize Band in 1914
Swanwick Collieries Silver Prize Band: See: Swanwick Collieries Band
Swanwick Colliery Band: See: Swanwick Collieries Band
Swindon Prospect Band
Swindon R.A. Association Band
Swingfield Brass Band (Kent): Active around 1895
Swinstead Brass Band (Lincolnshire)
Swindon Prospect Silver Band: Formed in 1908 at the Prospect Methodist Church, their object was to support as far as possible every charitable cause in Swindon. It was still active in 1933.
Swinton and Pendlebury Borough Band (youngsters)
Swinton Concert Brass: Started life as a local Scout and Guide Band many years ago. It didn't really have a proper name then but developed into "Youth Town Brass" when local schoolchildren began joining. Eventually, they all grew up and some older people joined and it was decided that the 'Youth' wasn't really suitable, so the committee decided on Swinton Concert Brass. Sponsorship changed the name to "Kennedy's Swinton Concert" and they went on to win the British Open in 1989. When the sponsorship ended it went back to Swinton Concert Brass. (source: Heather Smyth- one of the two founder members)
Symington's Brass Band (Leicestershire): Active in 1874 - possibly related to the Syminton's soup powder factory in Little Bowden. May be the same band as "Little Bowden Brass Band"
Syston and Thurmaston Silver Band: See: Syston Silver Band
Syston and Thurmaston Silver Prize Band: See: Syston Silver Band
Syston Silver Band: Formed in the 1870s as Ellmore's Can and Basket Works Brass Band, later known as Syston and Thurmaston Silver Band (1890s), Syston and Thurmaston Silver Prize Band (1900s) and finally Syston Silver Band (1950s). It disbanded in 1957. A successor band was formed in 1971

T
T.D.S. Lancashire Brass Band: See: Lancashire Brass Band
Taber Mineworkers' Band
Taber United Mineworkers Band
Tadmarton Band: Active in the 1910s
Taff Merthyr Colliery Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Talk o' th' Hill Band: Competed in the British Open in 1871.
Tanfield Lea Colliery Band (Beamish): Formed in the 1890s, folded in the 1950s
Tarrant's Band (Byfleet): Active in 1906 and closely associated with Tarrants the builders in Byfleet. W.G. Tarrant had quite a business and built many houses in the area including many on St George's Hill. His yard stood in Chertsey Road and the site has recently been built over with new houses, which is quite an irony! Mr Tarrant seemed to be quite a character, and was involved with the invention of the Jim diving suit, the first articulated deep sea diving suit - the prototype of which was tested in a large tank in his yard. He was also involved with the Tarrant Tabor triplane, an ambitious project to build a long range bomber, which unfortunately crashed on its maiden take off.
Taunton Town Band (Somerset): Active in the 1890s
Tavistock Brass Band: Active in the late 1800s
Tavistock Rifle Volunteers Band: Formed in 1859 and still active in the 1880s.
Tavistock Town Band (1): Formed in 1897 by George Williams of the Tavistock Mercantile Association. However it soon ran into trouble. The administration was apparently poor and the finances also - the rumour that this was the result of bandsmen receiving free drinks at the Queen's Head after band practices was hotly denied! In 1900 an opposition band was launched amid stories that the Town Band was facing collapse. They managed to keep going, but finally folded in 1912. [a history of the Tavistock Town Bands has been written by Chris Northey of the current Tavistock Town Band]
Tavistock Town Band (2): Formed in 1937. Again there seemed to be problems with the band's administration and various controversies, leading the band to disband in July 1939, on the face of it due to the "crisis" i.e. WW2. They reformed after the war, in 1946, winding up in June 1964, and the town council agreed to store the instruments, along with uniforms and money pending a revival. A successor band was formed in 1974.
Tayport Instrumental Band: Formed at the end of the 19th century, but folded between the two World Wars. The current band was formed in 1970
Tayside Silver Band (Fife)
Teams Euphonic Brass Band (Gateshead): Active in 1887
Tebay Brass Band (Cumbria): Active in 1905
Teesside Brass: See: North Skelton and District Band
Teesside Bridge Band
Teesside Silver Band
Teesside Temperance Band: Formed in the 1890s, also known as North Skelton Band, folded in the 1950s
Telford Band: See: Dawley New Town Band
Tetford Band (Lincolnshire)
Tewkesbury Town Band: In 1838 the Town Band led a procession through the town to celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria. In 1860 there was a Tewkesbury Rifle Corps Band, with a uniform of salmon-coloured trousers, scarlet-faced tunics and plumes. 1874 saw the appearance of the Tewkesbury Philharmonic Band. In 1887 the town band appeared again in the records, giving a concert at the Philharmonic Hall (now the Watson Hall). In May 1900 the Tewkesbury Bugle Band headed a parade to celebrate the relief of Mafeking Queen?s birthday. 1900-1941 saw the town band at it's peak, proving to be very popular in and around Tewkesbury, averaging eight public appearances a year. In 1904 the band gave a concert to raise funds for a new bandstand to be erected in Victoria Gardens. In order to ensure a quality bandstand their target was to raise ś50! In November 1918 there was an amalgamation of the Town Band and the Territorial Band under the baton of Mr A C Collins. Practises took place at the "White Bear" public house in Tewkesbury. The Band played at the unveiling of the abbey war memorial in 1920, and in 1922 at the Tewkesbury war memorial at the Cross. There were some 55 public appearances between 1922 and 1934. May 5th 1937 saw the Town Band heading a parade to celebrate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and playing for public dancing in the streets. This was the last public appearance of the band however as by September 1937 the band had ceased to be. The lack of funds and an increasing popularity of the radio were given as the prime reasons. A successor band was formed in 1974
Thame Band (Oxfordshire)
Thames Brass: See: Runnymede Brass
Thames Iron Works Band: Active in the 1860s
Thatcham Band (Berkshire)
Thatto Heath Band: Active in 1932
Thirsk and Sowerby Band: Formed in the 1900s. Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. The band was suspended during WW2 and several unsuccesful attempts were made to reform it when the war was over. It was finally disbanded in 1950. In the 1920s its president was Sir Edmund Turton, who home was Upsall Castle.
Thirsk and Sowerby Prize Silver Band: See: Thirsk and Sowerby Band
Thistle Instrumental Band (Glasgow)
Thomas Wilson, Sons & Company Prize Brass Band (Hull ?): Active in the early 1900s
Thornaby Borough Band: Active in 1923
Thornaby Colliery Band: Active in 1889
Thornaby District Soldiers Band: Formed in the 1890s
Thornaby People's Mission Band: Active in 1905
Thornaby Temperance Band: Active in 1913
Thornbury Baptist Prize Band: Active in 1910
Thornbury Band: Formed in 1974, disbanded in November 2004.
Thorne Colliery Band (Doncaster): Active in 1935
Thorne Colliery Silver Prize Band: See: Thorne Colliery Band
Thorne Excelsior Temperance Brass Band
Thorne Town Brass Band (Doncaster): Active in 1936 and the 1970s/80s
Thornhill Band (West Yorkshire): Also known as Tingley Thornhill Band and Home Charm Paints Thornhill Band
Thornhill Prize Brass Band: Active in 1913
Thornley Colliery Band (County Durham): Founded in 1870, then disbanded in 1914. New band formed in 1919 and active through to 1960s
Thornton Heath Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Thorpe Brass Band (Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex): Active in 1911, bandmaster Mr Henley. Still active in the early 1950s. For more details, see Grandad Played The Cornet: A History of Brass Bands in North East Essex, by David Cawdell.
Throckley Colliery Band (near Newcastle): Founded in the 1890s, but folded during/after WW2.
Thurnscoe Band (Yorkshire)
Tibshelf Colliery Band (Derbyshire): Active in 1879, when it performed at the Tibshelf Flower Show, in July
Tibshelf United Brass Band (Derbyshire): Active in 1879, when it performed at the Tibshelf Flower Show, in July
Tickhill United Band (South Yorkshire): Existed in the 1890s
Tickhill Jubilee Brass Band (South Yorkshire): Formed in 1887, superseding the prior Tickhill Victoria Brass Band, lasted until 1939
Tickhill Victoria Brass Band (South Yorkshire): Gave its first concert in February 1866 and lasted for about 20 years
Tickhill Band
Tillery Collieries Band: Active in 1900s
Tibshelf Prize Brass Band (Derbyshire)
Timperley and District Band: See: Timperley Band
Timperley Band: Folded in the 1950s. A first successor band was formed around 1999
Timperley Band: Formed in 1999, but folded in 2004. A successor band was formed in 2005
Tingewick Brass Band (Buckinghamshire): Founded in 1908. Active in 1923 when it played at the celebrations for the 60th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. John Moss (with their surviving four sons and two daughters, 43 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren!)
Tingewick Excelsior Band: Folded before 1908, when the successor White Hart Band (Tingewick Brass Band) was formed, including some of the old Excelsior band members.
Tingley Thornhill Band: See: Thornhill Band
Tipton St Martins Band: See: Revo Works Band
Tiptree Brass Band: Active around 1910, once competed in the Crystal Palace contest. Also known as Tiptree Silver Band and Tiptree Excelsior Band. The president at one time was CJ Wilkin of the Tiptree jam factory. The band folded just prior to WW2. For more details, see Grandad Played The Cornet: A History of Brass Bands in North East Essex, by David Cawdell.
Titan Works Band (Stourbridge): The foundation stone of Stourbridge Public Baths was laid on 2nd August 1900 by Isaac Nash, Chairman of the Council. The building was designed by Frederick Woodward, the Council's Surveyor and cost about ś4,500. Thomas Vale was the builder. On 23rd May 1901 local dignitaries met in the Town Hall and then went in procession, headed by the Titan Works Band, to the Baths which were opened by Joseph Wooldridge, Chairman of the Baths Committee. The water for the baths came from a well sunk in the sandstone.
Toddington Brass BandThe first reference to the band was in an 1856 issue of The Dunstable Chronicle. In 1910 is the first reference to the band under the name of Toddington Town Band, when it was under the baton of Mr James Hyde. Mr Hyde conducted the band for 41 years until his death in 1951. Under his leadership Toddington Town Band achieved competition success many times including a contest win at Reading in 1937, a second in the Area Contest in 1947and a 3rd in the Belle Vue Contest, Manchester. When James Hyde died, his son Dennis took up the baton and led the band until his death in 1982, when the band folded. A successor band was formed in 1987.
Toddington Town Band: See: Toddington Brass Band
Tondu & Aberkenfig Coronation Band: See: Tondu & Aberkenfig Silver Band
Tondu & Aberkenfig Silver Band (Glamorgan): Active in 1940, at which time the principal cornet was Henley H. Jenkins. Henley went on to create the Bridgend and District Brass Band and also a dance band which played in the Bridgend Palais for a number of years. Other players included James Croft who went on to join Bridgend Band, Frank Able (cornet) who played in Ogmore Valley Silver Band until he died in the 1990s and Frank Merchant (euphonium) who also played in Bridgend Band in the 1950s and Ogmore Band back in the 1960s/70s. Band still active in 1948
Tonypandy Hibernia Silver Prize Band: Active in 1909. Won a section in the Crystal Palace National Championships. Bandmaster in the early 1900s was G. Thomas.
Tonyrefail Workmen's Silver Band (Glamorgan)
Tonyrefail Silver Prize Band (Glamorgan): Active in 1905 and 1948
Tooth's Brewery Band (Sydney, Australia): Originally formed during the latter part of the nineteenth century as the Paddington Brewery Band or Marshall's Paddington Brewery Band. The Marshall's brewery was located firstly on the corner of Oxford and Dowling Streets, Paddington and later moved to a premises in Short St., Leichhardt. They are recorded as having taken part in a band contest held as part of a Fire Brigade demonstration at Albury in southern New South Wales in 1895. Marshall's brewery was taken over by the larger Tooth's Brewery, located at Broadway, which also took over Marshall's neighbouring Brewery, Resch's. During the early twentieth century the band became known as the Tooth's Brewery Band and was located at the Kent Brewery Broadway. The band seems to have reached the peak of its popularity during the reign of a Mr. Tom Watson as general manager of the brewery, 1929 to 1970. (Tooth's and Resch's were later taken over by Fosters/Carlton United Brewery, urrgghh!) The Tooth's Brewery Band competed at the New South Wales (NSW) State Band Championships of 1929 under bandmaster S. Thomas. They were placed 2nd in C grade and unplaced in B grade. They were also unplaced in the marching contest. In NSW State Contest of 1930, this time under bandmaster H.J. Cocks, they entered only B grade and the result is unknown at this stage. They did, however, win the march contest. In 1931, under bandmaster W. Cocks, they were 2nd place in B grade and won the marching contest. In 1933 they were equal 3rd in B grade and equal 2nd in the marching. The early 20th century was one of the periods of expansion in banding in Australia that was unfortunately curtailed by the depression in 1933. The NSW championships had expanded to 3 grades with at least 10 A & B grade bands and a lesser number in C grade. There were still more country bands that competed on a localised basis. In 1933 C grade had disappeared and A & B grades were down to 4 or 5 bands. The brewery band is one of the limited number of works bands in Australia. Australian bands tended to be more locality based although one works band, the Newcastle Steelworks Band of the 1920's, had great success over a short period. It was, in reality, a professional band.
Thanks to Mark Pinner, mark.pinner@bigpond.com, for these details
Tooting and Mitcham Silver Band: Thomas Draper may have been bandmaster at one time.
Topsham Silver Band (Devon): Combined with the Lympstone Band for a period after WW2, then had a further separate existence at least until 1960, until it disbanded some time later. It competed in 1964 under the name of Topsham and Lympstone Silver Band under the baton of R. May
Torpichen Brass Band: Active in 1884
Torquay Subscription Band (Devon): In 1857 St. John's Masonic Lodge, Torquay built the Temple in Park Hill Road, allowing the Torquay Natural History Society to use the ground floor as Torquay's first Museum. At the laying of the Foundation Stone, special trains were laid on to bring brethren from all over the Province, and preceded by the Torquay Subscription Band, and accompanied by the Band of The Royal Dragoon Guards, in a procession more than a quarter of a mile long, over 300 Freemasons, including Grand Officers & Provincial Grand Officers marched in full Regalia from the Town Hall to Park Hill Road, through streets lined by cheering crowds, a public holiday having been granted for the occasion.
Tottenham Borough Silver Prize Band: Active in 1947
Tottenham Military Band (North London): "This was still operating in the 1970's. The secretary, Fred Hands was a co-worker. They played fetes and hospital garden parties. They weren't a marching band, for parades they used a float."
Thanks to David Dunton (Canada) for these notes
Tow Law Colliery Band (Co. Durham): Formed in 1860
Tow Law Wesley Mission Band: See: Tow Law Wesleyan Band
Tow Law Wesleyan Band (Co. Durham): Active in the early 1900s
Towednack Band (Cornwall)
Townhill Silver Band (Scotland): Active in 1928
Towyn Brass Band: Active in 1948
Trafalgar Colliery Band (Gloucestershire): Formed in the 1880s. One source has it forming before 1866 and still active in the early part of the 20th century.
Trafford Band (Manchester): Originally the Urmston and Davyhulme Silver Band. Folded in the late 1990s?
Trafford Park Public Prize Band (Manchester): Formed in 1919
Transport & General Workers Band
Trawden Band: Active in the 1860s/80s
Treviscoe Band (Cornwall)
Trevor Silver Band (North Wales): Active in 1964, conducted by E.P. Hughes
Tring Silver Band: Disbanded in 2003?
Trinity Brass (Maidstone): Amalgamated with Elliot Concert Brass in 1985 to form G.E.C. Maidstone Band.
Troedyrhiw Brass Band (Troiderhiw, Merthyr Tydfil): Active in 1928
Troon Reed and Brass Band: Active in 1890
Trumpington Brass Band (Cambridgeshire): Flourished from the 1860s
Truro Home Guard Band
Tudhoe Colliery Band: Active in 1876 when it competed in a contest at Hartlepool on 6th June
Tudor Silver Band (Southport): Formed 1937 as Southport Special Constabulary Band. Became Tudor Silver Band in November 1949
Tunbridge Wells Borough Band: Active in the 1890s
Turner's Hill and Worth Band (Crawley): Active in 1933
Turner Village Band (Essex): Formed by patients and staff at the Turner Village Hospital in Turner Road, Colchester.
Turton Church Brass Band (Bolton): Active in January 1866 when they placed a newspaper notice thanking the local gentlemen for their generosity over the Christmas period.
Tutbury Silver Band (Staffordshire): Formed around 1895. It was disbanded in 1914, but reformed immediately after the war ended in 1918. It gained at least one prize at the Crystal Palace Championships which led to it being renamed Tutbury Town Silver Prize Band. Wallace Young conducted the band after 1918, when the uniform was mid-blue with a silver stripe down each trouser leg, and a tunic with brass buttons and a blue peaked cap. The people of Tutbury, who had received a leaflet titled "Band or no Band", raised the money for the uniforms. It disbanded again in 1939, but did not reform. Its instruments, uniforms and music were sold to an unknown band in Scotland. For a history of the band, see: Tutbury's Variations - A History of wind and brass bands in a Staffordshire village, by David Kennedy, published by D. & T.P Kennedy, Burton-on-Trent, 2002. For copies, contact tda.kennedy@tesco.net.
Tutbury Town Silver Prize Band (Staffordshire): See: Tutbury Silver Band
Tuxford Temperance Band (Nottinghamshire)
Tweedales & Smalley (1920) Ltd. Band (Rochdale)
Twizwell Colliery Band (Grange Villa, County Durham): Formed in the 1890s, disbanded in the 1930s
Two Bridges Brass Band (Gloucestershire): Formed 1900. Disbanded 1952
Tycroes Brass Band: See: Tycroes Silver Band
Tycroes Silver Band: Active in the early 1900s. Tycroes Prize Silver Band played at the Llanwrtyd Wells Cycle and Pony Races held at Abernant Pleasure Grounds in August 1904, conducted by Mr David Williams. (from the Brecon & Radnor Express, Sept 1st 1904).
Tyne Dock and Jarrow Temperance Band: Active in 1887 when it led a procession for Queen Victoria's Jubilee celebrations in Jarrow - "June 21st this being Jubilee Day the town of Jarrow and surrounding district celebrated the day in right loyal style. Upwards of 7,000 children gathered at the educational centres to be regaled with buns, spice loaf, milk and tea. The masters attended the little folks and mistresses of the schools assisted by a number of ladies and gentlemen volunteers as waiters. After the tea the children prepared to start for the Recreation Ground where sports and entertainment were to be provided for them. Before the start was made each child received a present of a Jubilee Mug. On each of them were portraits of the Queen representing her in 1837 and the present year.. Each mug bore the words "Jubilee 1887 Jarrow on Tyne". The tea finished the young folk set off in two processions one headed by Hendersons Brass Band and the other by the Tyne Dock and Jarrow Temperance Band." Still active in 1913.
Tyne Dock Temperance Band: See: Tyne Dock and Jarrow Temperance Band
Tynedale Band: Founded in 1860s. Merged with Ovington Band in 1980 to form Ovington Tynedale Band
Tynemouth Royal and Union Band: Formed in the 1900s and still active in 1948
Tysoe Temperance Brass Band (Warwickshire): Active in 1893 and 1897 when performing at a Baptist Sunday School Treat

U
U.C.B.S. Brass Band: See: U.C.B.S. Prize Silver Band
U.C.B.S. Prize Silver Band (Clydebank): Active in 1908. The United Co-operative Biscuit Society Ltd. Band. Won the Iles Cup 1st Class in 1908, the 2nd Class Championship in 1908, and the Iles Cup 2nd Class in 1906, 1907 and 1908. Famous biscuits were advertised as "The men of Clydebank have been responsible for world famous feats in shipbuilding and engineering, but what is to be said of those who are responsible for the care of the "inner man"? To the housewives of Clydebank equal praise is due, for good work cannot be accomplished without good food. The choice of Clydebank housewives has always been unanimously U.C.B.S. - Baking of Quality".
UDI Brass: See: Stoneywood and Auchmull Union Band
Uffculme Town Band
Uley Brass Band: Active in the 1920s and amalgamated with Uley Silver Band in the 1930s. The combined band folded in the Second World War. The instruments were subsequently stored in the village until the fifties when they were donated to Dursley Modern school where the music master was forming a brass band. When the school closed and was integrated with Dursley Grammar School to create Rednock Comprehensive School Dursley the band was transferred and it is believed to still be in existence to the present day.
Uley Silver Band: Active in the 1920s and amalgamated with Uley Brass Band in the 1930s. See also Uley Brass Band.
Union Place Military Brass Band: Competed in a brass band contest at Bedworth in 1888
United Co-operative Biscuit Society Ltd. Brass Band (Clydebank): See: U.C.B.S. Prize Silver Band
United Christian Army Band (Malton, North Yorkshire): Formed in 1883 and disbanded in 1888 when their premises were sold to become the Liberal Institute.
United Independent Harmonic Brass Band (Preston): Active in 1840
Universe Works Band (Birmingham): Active in 1871
Updale Mission Band (Seacombe): Active in the early 1900s
Upleatham Mines Band: Formed in the 1890s, folded with the colliery around 1924
Upper Edge Band: Active in 1871
Upper Hulme Band: Active in 1850
Upper Weardale Band: In 1835 there were five bands in Weardale: Wolsingham, Stanhope, Wolsingham and two in Rookhope. The bands became a prominent feature of village life, playing at all the local agricultural shows and on many other occasions. At some time during the second half on the 19th century the bands from Upper Weardale merged to form the "Upper Weardale Band" however this ceased after the Great War.
Upton Colliery Workpeoples Band: Formed around 1937/38 and wound up in 1976. Qualified for the National Finals on four out of five years in the late 60's, and early 70's and rose from the 4th to 2nd section during this time. Just being pipped to promotion to the then 1st section by Brodsworth Colliery Band.
Urchfont Prize Brass Band (Wiltshire): Active in the early 1900s
Urmston and Davyhulme Silver Band (Manchester): Later called the Trafford Band, folded in the late 1990s?
Urpeth Colliery Band (Beamish): Formed in the 1890s and still active in 1933
Ushaw Moor Colliery Band: Formed in the 1890s
Usk and District Silver Band (Monmouthshire): Formed in the 1970s when a group of players got together under the guidance of Jack Stradling. In addition to entertaining the community in and around Usk, it began competing and in 1982 won the Welsh Regional Championships (fourth section) under the musical directorship of Michael Pegram, which qualified the Band to play in the National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Also, in 1982 the Band made a highly popular visit to Usk’s twin town Graben-Neudorf in Germany with Nigel Weeks as conductor, who conducted the Band at various times in the late 1970's and through the 1980's. Other conductors in this period included Aubrey Brice and home-grown Mark Stones. Unfortunately, due to a lack of players, the Usk and District Silver Band folded in the late 1980’s,
Usk Brass Band (Monmouthshire): Active in the early 1900s. A successor band was formed in the 1970s
Usk Town Band: See: Usk and District Silver Band
Usworth Colliery Band (1): Active in 1873
Usworth Colliery Band (2): Formed in the 1890s and still active after WW2.
Uttoxeter Town Band: Formed in the 1930s and folded a few years after the end of the Second World War
Uxbridge and Hillingdon Band: Formed in 1882 by Mr W.J.D. Sheriff. He inserted an advertisment in the local paper calling a meeting at his house in Alexandra Road and there the band was started. The band's first Ł5 was donated by Lord Hillingdon. The first practices were held in Mr Sheriff's kitchen, later moving to the band room in the Old Chapel in Chiltern View Road. Prior to starting the Uxbridge Band, Mr Sheriff was bandmaster of the Hillingdon Drum and Fife Band, and later, in addition to the Uxbridge Band and the Middlesex Regiment, he was bandmaster of the City of London Imperial Yeomanry and of the Herts Yeomanry Bands. He was the composer of the military fantasia "A Soldier's Life". Ten of the Uxbridge Band's members were engaged in 1885 by Dr Drury Lavin, of Heatherden Hall, to form a ship's band on a cruise to the West Indies. The Band fulfilled several seasons of engagements on the Island of Jersey.

V
Vale of Lyvennet Silver Band (Cumberland): Active in the 1880s and 1890s. It seems to have been based at Crosby Ravensworth, but included members from Maulds Meaburn, also in the Lyvennet valley. John [Jack] Relph (born in 1871) was a member.
Vale of Pewsey Band: Competed in the 1962 West of England Regional Championships (4th Section), conducted by J. King
Vane Tempest Band (Seaham): Active in the 1950s - attached to the Vane Tempest Colliery.
Varteg Silver Band (Monmouthshire): Formed July 1914. Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Still active in 1948
Vauxhall Motors Recreation Club Band (Luton)
Veryan and Portloe Band (Cornwall): Active in 1900
Vickers Armstrong (Barrow Shipyard) Band
Vickers Crayford Band (Kent): Active in 1920
Victoria Band (Wallsall)
Victoria Batley Band: Active in 1854
Victoria Brass Band (Kirkburton, Huddersfield)
Victoria Brass Band (Petersfield, Hampshire): Formed in 1904. Five or six instruments were purchased by Mr Kimber and Mr Gale and a band was formed under the tuition of Mr Stacey. The first practice was held in a wash-house in Swan Street. With further members joining, more adequate room was required and the band moved to Borough Hill for practices, being for a long time known as the "Borough Band". Their first appearance in public was on Easter Monday in 1906 under the lead of Mr Stacey. On this occasion the band paraded the town, playing what music they could manage. On Whit Monday 1906 a fete was held on the Heath by the Working Men's Association, this proving to be their first official engagement. With the outbreak of war in 1914, nearly all the members, who were Territorials, went into camp, afterwards being drafted to India and not returning until 1920. From the year 1908 to 1914 the band was under the baton of Mr. E. Lee, who held the office of deputy bandmaster. In 1921 a reconstruction of the band took place and Mr Walter Bone was appointed bandmaster, an office he still held in 1932. The band had the honour of performing before the Duke of York and also Princess Beatrice. It appeared with distinction at many places, including Guildford, Winchester and Gosport. It relies entirely on voluntary contributions for its upkeep of the instruments and provision of music, and is entirely self-supporting. The band disbanded after WW2, in the early 1950s.
Victoria Foundry Band: Active in 1855
Victoria Lochhead Band: Active in 1928, 1933
Victoria Lochhead and Earlseat Band: See: Victoria Lochhead Band
Victoria Mission Band (Kettering): Active in 1905
Victory Pit Crookhall Colliery Band: See: Crookhall Colliery Band
Volunteer Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers Band, 1st: See: Bury Public Silver Band
Vulcan Motor Works Band (Southport)

W
Waddeson Temperance Band (Leicestershire): Active in the 1890s and 1900s
Waddinton Brass Band (Clitheroe): Wound up in the courts as of 5th February 1923
Wadebridge Town Band: Active in the early 1900s. A successor band was also active for a few years in the 1970s.
Wadhurst Band: Active in the late 1800s but disbanded after WW2. Current band formed in 1960 as a school band.
Waenfawr & District Band (Caernarvonshire): Active in 1948
Wakefield City Band: Active in the 1980s
Wakefield Old Band: Active in the 1940s
Walkden Band: Formed in the early 1870s when the band had connections with the Duke of Bridgewater's Yeomanry Band in Worsley. Records of the band from 1937 to 1974 exist in the Salford City Archive Service. Known as Alvin Walkden Brass Band in 1989 when they were 3rd Section National Champions. A good example of the many dedicated and tireless people who support bands around the country is given in this obituary notice which appeared on 15 November 1995: "Tributes for bandsman Cyril - One of the vanguards of Walkden Brass Band has died at the age of 63. For more than 25 years, Cyril Wright, of Grosvenor Drive, Walkden, was a tireless worker behind the scenes. Band members said his musical contribution as third assistant percussion when he was needed in contests was always of the highest quality, which was his trademark on everything he was involved in. He will be most remembered for his administration role within the band. His infectious energy and dedication as treasurer, concert secretary and committee member meant the band was self-funding and able to weather the tough financial conditions of the brass band world. Since early retirement from Mellings Bakery at Farnworth, he became involved in transferring the band's music library system onto a computer data base. He leaves his son Alan - the band's assistant principal cornet player - and his wife Joan. She is a tireless member of the ladies' section who serves the band members with refreshments during rehearsals. Colleagues say Cyril was well known throughout the brass band scene and was one of the great characters in the musical world." Merged with Eaton Farnworth Brass Band in 2004 to form Eaton Farnworth & Walkden Band.
Walker Neptune Band: Active between 1900 and 1914
Walkers and Hardmans Works Band: Founded 1833
Walker's Brass Band (York, 1834-1852)
Wallasey Village Silver Band: Prior to 1939 the Wallasey Village Carnival was a spectacle of horse drawn floats covered with flowers and people. The floats being interspersed with bands and dancers of varying standards, Decorated bicycles, handcarts and even dressed up dogs had their part to play. The major float carried the Carnival Princess and her court, whilst the whole event was led with great aplomb by the Wallasey Village Silver Band (which used the Lighthouse Pub in Wallasey Village as its unofficial headquarters).
Wallsend Borough Band: See: Wallsend Colliery Band
Wallsend Colliery Band: Formed in the 1900s, still active in the 1930s, also known as the Rising Sun Colliery Band (Rising Sun pit at Wallsend). Later known as Wallsend Borough Band
Wallsend Miners' Band: See: Wallsend Colliery Band
Wallsend United Collieries Band: See: Wallsend Colliery Band
Wallsend Shipyard Band
Walsall Borough Prize Band: Active in 1912
Walsall L.M.S. Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s. Formed by John Henry Cowley, who played Solo Trombone for them. (See also Brass Band People). The band were conducted at various times at contest by Harry Mortimer, Issac Perrin, Harry Hayes, and William Halliwell.
Walsall Police Band: Active in 1912
Walsall Temperance Band: Active in 1865, when they played at the Cottage Hospital Gala in August.
Walsall Town Prize Band: Active in 1912
Walsall Wood Institute Temperance Band: Existed in the early 1900s
Walsall Wood Olde Brass Band: Reference to this band in 1910
Walsham le Willows (Brass) Temperance Band: An undated notice reads: "We beg to draw your attention to the above Band, and to say that we shall be pleased to serve your interests during the coming season in attendance at GARDEN PARTIES, SPORTS, FLOWER SHOWS, GALAS, FETES etc.We have a good variety of Music, including Selections, Marches, Dances etc. We should at all times do our best to meet your requirements in every particular. The Band provides its own Gas Light, to facilitate playing on grounds after dark, when required. For particulars as to terms, apply to either of the following: Wilfrid Y Nunn, Band Master - Harry W Hubbard, Hon. Secretary."
Waltham Band (Grimsby)
Waltham British Legion Band: Active in the 1940s
Waltham Cross Temperance Band (Herts): Active in 1949
Waltham Gospel Temperance Brass Band (Waltham Cross): Active around 1900
Walton Brass Band (Warrington, Cheshire): Active in 1887
Wandsworth Borough Band
Wandsworth Brass Band: Active in 1885 when it took part in the United Phoenix and Temperance Societies' first annual Temperance Friendly Societies' demonstration in Lambeth on 31st May, together with Putney Brass Band.
Wanlockhead Silver Band: Active around 1890. The Band would always appear on New Years Day and march around the Village 'weather and the roads permitting' to an enthusiastic local support. It also performed local concerts and parades and was in great demand. The coming of the railway and the 'new machines' enabled the band to travel further afield to play at engagements and enter National Contest where they frequently proved to be successful. Linked to the local lead mine. Active in 1928, conducted by John Faulds
Warburtons Bakery Band: See: Hoggarths Works Band
Wardley Colliery Band (Tyneside): Formed in the 1890s. Disbanded in 1939.
Warley Town Band (Yorkshire)
Warmley Excelsior Brass Band
Warmley Military Band: Founded 1903, as Warmley Mission Reed and Brass Band, by the men of the Warmley Independent Methodist Church, predominantly from the Mill Lane and Cadbury Heath area, many of whom were from the Lovell Family. The Band had a membership of about twenty men, one of whom was George Webb, father of Bill Webb the cycle shop owner. The Warmley Military Band achieved a great deal in the world of music, a small dedicated band of men, whose fame spread to Minehead, Hereford and Berkeley, where they had regular engagements and the fact that the Band existed for 33 years is an achievement in itself. Perhaps their most frequent and enjoyable engagement was to lead the annual Whitsuntide parades through surrounding villages. George Webb was born in 1842 and at the age of eight started his working life in a nearby coalpit. Inspired by the sounds of brass band music, he taught himself to play the cornet and at the age of thirteen he left the pit. George was now in his element. In a very short time he was able to 'triple tongue' on his cornet and was capable of producing 700 notes to the minute. In 1862, he was the star player of 'The Christie Minstrels". From this time on he was often on tour but always returned to his roots where he had a wife and young family. Around 1882, George took part in a ceremony when the chimney stack at Haskins Pottery was heightened. When the chimney was completed George stood on the top run and played the National Anthem, God Bless the Prince of Wales and Auld Lang Syne. The cornet was not the only instrument George mastered as he was able to handle many instruments, particularly the trombone. His ability did not stop there as he also became bandmaster to numerous bands but, in particular, the Warmley Military Band. At the turn of the century George Webb had produced scores of compositions for brass bands and his name was familiar all around Britain as well as on the Continent. There is a story that the Black Dyke Mills Band were passing through Warmley station on their way to Bournemouth. They had persuaded the driver to stop the train so as they could meet their hero, George Webb. However, George had prepared a surprise for them and with the aid of a local brass band, the Black Dyke and Warmley Bands marched along the road, playing at full pitch and meeting in the middle of the village.
Warmley Tower Band (Bristol): Active in 1864, when they took part in the processions celebrating the official opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
Warren Band: Active in the 1980s
Warrenby and Loftus Band: See: Warrenby Brass Band
Warrenby Brass Band (Cleveland): Formed in the 1900s. Also known as one times as Warrenby and Loftus Band. Did not survive WW1
Warsash Brass Band (1): Formed by the Rev Holt, vicar of St Mary's church at Warsash, and disbanded aound 1922
Warsash Brass Band (2): Formed in 1993 as an all-brass band, but now a concert band with reed instruments as well as brass, known as Warsash Band.
Warslow Brass Band: Active in 1873. It became a silver band in the early 1950s
Warwick Town Band: Active between 1895 and 1910
Washington and District Band: Active between 1907 and 1911
Washington Brotherhood Band: Founded in 1923 as a temperance band, and later known as Washington Colliery Band (or Washington F Pit Band) up to 1968, Washington Glebe Colliery Band, then Washington Welfare Band, led by Tyneside danceband leader George Rowell. Despite the closure of the Washington Glebe Colliery in 1972, band members had soldiered on and were determined to keep the music alive. The band competed in championship finals in London and Blackpool and won the trophy at the Bedlington Miners' Picnic in Northumberland eight years in a row. In 1997 they were finally forced to disband because of lack of funding and interest. A successor band was formed in 2007.
Washington Colliery Band: See: Washington Brotherhood Band
Washington F Pit Band: See: Washington Brotherhood Band
Washington Glebe Colliery Band: See: Washington Brotherhood Band
Washington Welfare Band: See: Washington Brotherhood Band
Watchet British Legion Band: Competed in the 1962 West of England Regional Championships (4th Section), conducted by J. Alexander
Waterfoot and Newchurch Band: Active in 1888 when it competed in a contest at Todmorden.
Waterhead Band (Oldham)
Wath and Bolton Band (Yorkshire)
Wath Town Band: Active in 1939
Watford Silver Band
Watford Artizan Brass Band: Active in the early 1900s, bandmaster R. Smith.
Watlington Excelsior Band (Oxfordshire): Active in 1917
Watney Band: See: West London Silver Band
Watney Mann Band: See: West London Silver Band
Watsonville Brass Band (California, USA): Formed in 1994 by Gonzalo Viales from a subset of the Watsonville Community Band, it sadly only lasted a few years.
Weardale Band: Active in the 1860s and the 1900s
Wearmouth Colliery Band (Sunderland): Active in the 1930s
Webbank Prize Band (Chorley)
Wedmore Brass Band (Somerset): Active in the 1880s
Wednesbury Band: Active in the 1860s/70s
Wednesbury Crown Tube Works Band: See: Crown Tube Works Band
Wednesbury Old Band: Active in 1873
Wednesbury Tube Works Band: Active in 1869
Week St Mary Band (Cornwall)
Welbeck Colliery Band: Competed in the Crystal Palace Championships in the 1930s
Weld Bank Band (Chorley): Active in the 1920s/40s. Practiced on Weldbank Lane in Chorley. After it folded, its remnants formed the Chorley Silver Band.
Welford and District Band (West Berkshire): Officially founded in 1870 (although there is evidence to suggest it developed from an earlier fife and drum band). It seems to have petered out around the time of the Great War. It was quite well known in the West Berkshire/East Wiltshire area and the local Newbury and Marlborough newspapers regularly reported their concerts (aided, probably, by the fact that the Bandmaster was also the village Postmaster!). James Brown was the Bandmaster and several other members of the Brown family also took part in the band. (Source: Bob Chandler, great-grandson of James Brown)
Wellesley Colliery Band (Fife): Formed in 1919 and in 1920 they competed at there first competition in Methil where they took 3rd prize. In 1921 they won first prize at the open championships in Bathgate and took the cup for the best third section band. Promoted to second section in 1926 Wellesley had a run of bad luck that took them back down to third section. William Pegg was bandmaster in 1927. By 1930 at Stirling under George Hawkins they won the third section and were back up to the second section. It seemed Mr Hawkins gave the band the confidence they needed and they were promoted in 1934 at Leith to the championship section. By now they were progressing as a programme band and were asked to play at the empire exhibition in Glasgow. They won the Fife championships 1938, 1939 and 1940. In 1944 they won the Scottish championship and were runners up the following year. 1947 and yet another great result, first prize at the miners gala day in Edinburgh entitling them to compete at the miners festival in London representing Scotland. There finest hour was in 1964 when they won the second section daily herald British brass band championships in London. The band ceased to exist in 1976 when the remaining players amalgamated with the Buckhaven Town Band, to form the current Buckhaven & Methil Miners Band.
Wellesley Training Ship Band (Tynemouth): Reformatory School for boys. Active in the 1900s and closed with the school in 1914.
Wellingborough L.M.S. Band: Active in 1933, and 1937 when it marched in the Wellingborough Hospital Parade.
Wellingborough Town Band: Active in 190