Author Archives: Gavin Holman

For a festive-themed post I tried to find a vintage band photograph that portrayed Christmas or a similar winter celebration, but the only one I could come up with was the unknown, American band, below, photographed in a fake snowstorm. … Continue reading →

This is a young cornet player from Oswaldtwistle, photographed in the 1870’s or 1880’s by R. Longton. It is not known which band he played with, but there are a few local possibilities that were active around that time (in … Continue reading →

How many bands have undertaken a playing ‘marathon’ or ‘playathon’ for a ridiculous number of hours, to raise money for their own funds or for charity? It is hard work, particularly if the audience drifts away! However, it is much … Continue reading →

A new book by Mark Learey has just been published, covering the history of Heathfield Silver Band, in Sussex. Mark first contacted me a couple of years ago during his research for the book, and I hope it will find … Continue reading →

I have started to add a number of scanned/digitised documents, in PDF format, to the IBEW archive. Additional items will be added in the future. The documents include some band histories, vintage contest and concert programmes, catalogues, etc. If anyone … Continue reading →

Agnes Mary Squelch (familiarly known as Daisy) was taught to play the cornet by the Black Dyke cornetist, John Paley at the age of 14. Having mastered the instrument, Daisy went on to become a well-known soloist on the concert … Continue reading →

This blog normally focuses on the history of brass and similar “brassy” ensembles over the last 200 years. Many “works” bands existed during this time and some of the most famous brass bands of the past owed much of their … Continue reading →

Ten years ago, I remarked on two images of the Bolton Borough Prize Band which had a phantom player (see: https://ibewbrass.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/a-bolton-band-mystery/) A similar question arises with the two photographs of the Battersea Borough Prize Band. One contains the image of … Continue reading →

Two photographs of Deanston Works Brass Band in Perthshire. The first c. 1860, the second c. 1910. The band was formed in May 1853. Its first conductor was Mr Watts, the manager of the Adelphi Cotton Mill in Deanston, where … Continue reading →

The city of Sterling in Illinois supported a number of brass bands in the latter half of the 19th century. Some faded in and out of existence, one lasted, in various guises, to the present day. This PDF article, linked … Continue reading →