Monthly Archives: April 2019

In May 1952, Mary Simm, who played cornet with the Kearsley Silver Band, started her second scrapbook of brass band memories. She collected press cuttings, programmes and photographs of events she attended or took part in through 1952. Although there … Continue reading →

1954 was a good year. The National Brass Band Championship Finals, on 16th October 1954, were won by Fairey Aviation Works Band, conducted by Harry Mortimer, playing Sovereign Heritage (Jack Beaver, arr. Frank Wright). Fairey Aviation Works Band competing at … Continue reading →

The IBEW has maintained details of brass band recordings (vinyl, 78s, CDs etc.) for many years (see: http://www.ibew.co.uk/misc26.htm). Sadly there has not been any link to, or availability of the recordings themselves via IBEW. The Brass Band Audio Database (Analog) … Continue reading →

A new book has just been published covering brief histories of the bands reported to have existed in the county (based on the current county boundary in 2018). In over 380 pages, with numerous photographs, Kenneth Owen has distilled the … Continue reading →

The South Street Mission was located in Macbeth Street, Hammersmith, Middlesex and was founded in 1901 by Sister Lizzie (d. 1949). The band was founded in May 1909, and was active through to the mid-1950s, competing in a few contests in its later … Continue reading →

Do you know of any interesting or historic batons? Particularly those associated with brass bands? Ebony and other hardwood batons, often adorned with silver embellishments, were just the thing for conductors – particularly in the late 19th and early 20th … Continue reading →