Author Archives: Gavin Holman

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 →

A brass band contest was held at Indianapolis in February 1853. Was this the first such contest in the USA? Do you know of any earlier competitions? “A musical State Convention was held at Indianapolis, on Tuesday of last week … Continue reading →

A collection of information about brass bands in the island of Ireland over the last 200 years. Following the suggestion of a friend, whose great-grandfather had played in a brass band in Eire in the early 1900s, I have extracted … Continue reading →

Following my historical directory of the brass bands of the British Isles, the companion volume, covering the rest of the world is now available. Again, it is far from complete, even more so given the range and extent of possible … Continue reading →

A new book – The History of Earby Brass Band – has been written by Stephanie Carter. Copies are available from Earby & District Local History Society (£10 + £3.50 p&p) – email info@earbyhistory.co.uk for details. Earby Brass Band can … Continue reading →