Worksop Miners Welfare Band

On 20th March 1931, at the North Notts Music Festival the Worksop Borough Silver Prize Band entered three quartets in the open section with an own choice of music, and the results were as follows:

Worksop Town Band "A" quartet, 90 points
Worksop Town Band "C" quartet, 89 points
Worksop Town Band "B" quartet, 83 points

All the quartets were conducted by Mr Clyde Pressley.

On May 1st the Worksop Guardian reported that the Worksop Borough Silver Prize Band were amongst the competitors who had entered the Manchester Belle Vue contest the following day, Saturday 2nd, and that on the same evening (Friday) they were to play their test piece at the second performance at the Pavilion Theatre.

On Sunday May 3rd the band gave an open air concert in the Market Place conducted by Mr Clyde Pressley. 

At the Committee Meeting of "Worksop Silver Prize Band" on August 5th 1931 it was resolved "that the resignation of Mr R.Allison be accepted with regret and that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Allison in recognition of long and valuable service to the Band of over 40 years." The meeting was also attended by Messrs A.Allison, T.Allison and H.Allison.

The same meeting agreed for the Chairman Mr Sam Martin to interview a Mr R.Allison Junr re becoming a member of the Band. This provides a classic example of how families become involved in brass banding, there being up to five members of the Allison family involved at this time in its history.

It was further resolved "that every Bandsman be notified to be at the French Horn Hotel on August 9th to be measured for uniform."

It was also resolved that "best of thanks be accorded to Mr G.Raynes and Mr W.Finch for their willingness to be bandsmen for £50.0.0 each to the National Bank to enable the Band to obtain new uniforms."

At the committee meeting on August 19th 1931 it was resolved "that the action of the Chairman, Secretary and Financial Secretary be confirmed re uniforms from Messrs Boosey and Hawkes re price etc be accepted as satisfactory."
Twelve days later, and no doubt with a degree of urgency in view of the impending Charter Day celebrations the new uniforms had arrived. The committee meeting on August 31st resolved "that a letter of appreciation be sent to Boosey and Hawkes regarding uniforms as to quality, fitting and time in turning out same."

At the Committee Meeting on 1st February 1932 it was resolved "that the Band Stamp be changed and that a new one be purchased with new name Worksop Borough Silver Prize Band" Clearly this was a reflection of the granting of the Worksop Charter in 1931, where the band decided that the change in name brought a closer association with the local authority of the day. 

The generosity of Messrs Raynes and Finch in funding uniforms in 1931, was recognised seven years later when they appeared on the letterhead as President and Vice-President respectively.

Prior to this the band was called Worksop Silver Prize Band, but by 1949 the 'silver prize' had been dropped and the title changed to "Worksop Borough Band". By then the headquarters were the British Legion on Westgate; the Chairman was Mr E.Booth and the conductor Mr H.Dunwell. The Balance Sheet for that year makes reference to the need to purchase instruments, as the last major acquisition was 27 years previously in 1922.

In October 1931, under the conductorship of Mr Clyde Pressley, the Worksop Borough Band figured prominently in the Charter Day celebrations.