Worksop Miners Welfare Band

In the book 'Victorian Worksop' by Michael J.Jackson (WA & LHS 1992) reference is made to Christmas Eve 1887, which describes the attempts by young men coming out of pubic houses to sing carols and hymns, who 'set about making the night hideous'. 'Greater harmony, however, prevailed at midnight when, in the Market Place, the Worksop Brass Band struck up 'Christians Awake!'. They followed this with several other appropriate pieces before marching to Victoria Square and repeating their programme.

The Salvation Army Bands
Chronologically, it is important to mention the Salvation Army Bands at this point in the narrative, as it is the Fry family of Salisbury, Wiltshire who are credited with being the first Salvation Army Band around 1878.
This was the beginning of a long and distinguished tradition of Salvation Army banding. The Salvation Army continues to publish the weekly magazine The British Bandsman which began publication in 1887.

The Worksop Salvation Army Band continues to maintain this fine tradition under the baton of ‘Shep’ Coates.
However, it wasn’t always plain sailing. The Worksop Salvation Army Band caused a stir around the turn of the century, which resulted in a letter to the Editor of the Worksop Guardian complaining that the Salvation Army Band were playing too close to other religious establishments much to the annoyance of the correspondent. 


A 'layman' wrote to the Editor deploring this practice, and asked the captain of that particular body to refrain from blowing their trumpets when passing near other religious establishments. In refering to another town, the correspondent said that orders had been given by the officer in charge that the band must not play when other services were being held. The 'layman' contended that if this plan was acted upon in Worksop, it would save many an uncomfortable and annoying shudder and some uncharitable writings. The writer lived in Park Street, and concluded his letter with the following: 'I do not pen this letter in an angry spirit of uninstitutely to the Army, as I believe they do some good.'

Captain Thomas of 38 Creswell Street replied saying that as far as he was aware, the band did not play near to other places of Worship when divine services were being held.

The Worksop Guardian reported on May 8th 1896, that the Worksop Band under the conductorship of Mr H.Pressley played in the Market Square and Victoria Square on alternate Wednesday evenings, where collection boxes were taken round in order to raise funds for the band.

In 1896 the Worksop Band provided its services on the occasion of the Priory Sunday School Annual Treat. The children and adults congregated on the Market Place at 1.00pm; fair weather prevailed after a cloudy morning and the band played some lively airs.

On September 4th 1896 the Worksop Band took part in the Clowne Hospital Sunday Demonstration, in which various Sunday Schools, Friendly Societies, and other local bands took part. In the evening each band played items in a concert. The Worksop Band rendered 'William Tell' and 'Il Travatore'.

The Worksop Guardian reported on Friday August 9th 1901 that ;the Worksop Band played in the grounds of the Conservative and Unionists Club, Bridge Place, Worksop.

A photograph taken on Potter Street at the turn of the 20th century shows the Band leading the Hospital Day procession.

Two band contests took place in Worksop in 1901 and 1903 promoted by Worksop Town Band. For the contest on 5th August 1901 the test piece was 'I Puritani' and the adjudicator Mr H.Barker. The winners were as follows:

1st Grimsby Borough Band Conductor Mr G.White £10
2nd Creswell Colliery ' Mr W.Hind £6
3rd Hucknall Excelsior ' Mr J.Cupit £4 
4th Clowne Town Band ' Mr T.Grey £3

For the contest on 2nd June 1903, the test piece was 'Don Sebastino', and the adjudicator was Mr J.C.Shepherd. Eight bands competed.

1st Kingston Mills Conductor Mr H.Owen £20 + cup
2nd Lindley ' Mr J.Gladney £12 + cornet
3rd Pemberton Old ' Mr J.Gladney £5
4th Rotherham Borough ' Mr A.Owen £3
5th Lea Mills Prize ' Mr A.Owen £2
(Matlock)

Unsuccessful bands were:
Chesterfield Temperence
Rushden Temperance
Dannemora Steel Works (Sheffield)
In the march contest, the winners were:
1st Lea Mills £3
2nd Lindley £2
3rd Rushden £1

This photograph depicts a crowd of people assembled in the Market Place to celebrate Empire Day, which was introduced to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria. This one which dates from 1904 shows Band players in the top right hand corner.

Another Hospital Day photograph taken in 1908, again on Potter Street, shows the Band leading the procession.

Also in 1908 the Worksop Band took part in the Priory Sunday School Treat on the Plain Piece (now known as Bracebridge recreation ground). The children and adults congregated on the Market Place where the band played 'Onward Christian Soldiers'. The procession made its way to the Plain Piece via Sparken Hill. At that time the Band was 16 strong and the conductor was Mr H.Pressley. The children were given tea, after which they enjoyed themselves in games and races. Some of the adults danced to the music of the Town Band.

1910 was a busy year for the Worksop Band. The July 1st edition of the Worksop Guardian made reference to Empire Day Celebrations with Worksop Band in attendance.

On Friday July, the Worksop Guardian gave notice that the 8th Worksop Hospitals Demonstration would take place on the following Sunday and would include the Worksop Town Band and other local bands.

On Sunday July 10th 1910, the Worksop Victoria Hospital
Demonstration took place which included the Worksop Town Band, Dinnington Main Colliery Band, Shireoaks Prize Band and the Worksop Salvation Army Band.

On July 29th it was reported in the Worksop Guardian that Worksop Town Band took part in the annual Military Sunday, along with contingents of Worksop Old Soldiers, College Cadets and a rear guard of Old Soldiers. The Regimental Band of the Yeomanry under Bandmaster T.W.Renshaw, and the Battalion Band of the territorials under Bandmaster Boddice.

In November 1910, Worksop Old Soldiers held their annual Parade. Worksop Town Band led the way, the parade including a new band under the name of Steel & Garlands (Priory Foundry Band) and Shireoaks Colliery Band. This event was reported in the Worksop Guardian on November 18th, with a photograph of the procession passing the Town Hall. In the evening a social concert was given at the Gaiety Theatre, where Captain A.J.Melvyn Montague presided. Worksop Town Band performed under conductor Mr H.Pressley, along with the Priory Foundry Band under its conductor Mr E.Russon. Prizes were presented to the smartest bandsmen. Bandsman Wakefield (Priory Foundry Band) and Bandsman Craven (Shireoaks Band) and Bandsman W.Mills (Worksop Town Band) were the recipients.

Other Local Bands

Bands and the Mining Industry