Earby Brass Band History. (MIXMAN)

[Stanley]

Earby Brass Band History
Topic: http://www.oneguyfrombarlick.co.uk/link ... IC_ID=6568
Date: 15 November 2006
Topic author: Mixman
Subject: Earby Brass Band History
Posted on: 14 November 2006 13:50:42
Message:
Village Sketches (VI)

A Musical Village

There is one particular virtue which has adorned the social life of our village of which all local patriots may be justly proud. Going back to the time when the place was a small hamlet with a few cottages planted here and there, and farm houses dotted on the hillsides overlooking the valley, there was generated a love for music. To be sure, there were few opportunities for its manifestation, and the village feast probably afforded the best occasion for its exercise. One can imagine the young people coming to the dance on the village green attired in their holiday garb, and whirring round with careless glee to the strains of a magical fiddle. The were also occasions for indoor festivities during the winter time, and on wedding days, which were enlivened with song and dance. But musical development in country villages is inseparably linked to the places of worship, and this applies in a special degree to our village, where for more than half a centaury, the only public meeting places were the Baptist and Methodist Chapels. Anyone who could play an instrument, of any kind or shape, string or brass, was commandeered for the "Charity". From the organised practices for these events there originated

The Village Brass Band
One of the oldest members of the band informed me that he can well remember on a Sunday afternoon after he had been to Sunday School , he saw a few men who had been at “jack at Vargis’s Farm” for a practice. Among the party there there were Farm !!!!!!!!! looks like a bit missing here.
Joe o’ Dave’s from Dodgson’s Farm. Brown Smith, William Sephton and Wilson Clough. These parties continued to meet numbering seven or eight persons, and went in for a few up-to-date instruments. About 1865 the first Mechanics Institute was formed in the Old Baptist Chapel, and the members of the band were allowed to practice in the singing pew under the tuition of James Bailey, bandmaster. Adding to their numbers and becoming more ambitious, the band secured the services of the late Mr. William Rushworth, of Black Dyke Mills, as professional conductor.

Rivalry between the neighboring villages became very keen and in 1868 a contest was arranged for local brass bands, which took place at Salterforth . There were four entries including two bands from Barnoldswick (“The Model” and “The Ribblesdale”), Kelbrook and Earby. The test piece was “Zoberflote.” Practically all the inhabitants from the three villages swarmed to Salterforth, which was a convenient center, and the lusty villagers loudly cheered the performance of their respective bands. It was the custom in those days, so I have been informed by a Barnoldswick friend, when a “ Barlick” band began to play, they made a great demonstration of applause to impress the judges and they were certainly very much in evidence that day. But “Barlick” suffered from being divided into two parties, and the coveted first prize was carried off by the Earby Band.

In the same year
An open Contest was held at Colne, and the Earby Band was fortunate in being placed third against such contestants as Matlock, Wednesbury, Darwen Rifles and others.
There are three members of the band at this time still living, to one of whom I am indebted for my information.

The Names of the Old Band and the instruments they played are as follows:
William Rushworth (Cornet)
James Bailey (soprano)
James Dodgson (solo cornet)
Anthony Clough (solo cornet)
Wilson Clough (First cornet)
James Hartley (second cornet)
*John Cowgill (third cornet)
William Sephton (tenor horn)
*James Whittaker (tenor horn)
John Wilkinson (tenor horn)
William Hartley (baritone)
Henry Bailey (Euphonium)
William Gawthrop (bass E.)
Henry Rushton (bass E.)
Edmund Wilkinson (bass B.)
*James Rushton (tenor trombone)
Henry Wormwell (bass trombone)

*still alive.

Mr. William Rushworth
A very close friendship was established between Mr. Rushworth and the Earby people. Mr Rushworth was the manager of the wool department at Foster’s Black Dyke Mill, and he later began business on his own account and became very wealthy. But he never lost his interest in the Earby Band, nor his regard for his old friends, as the following letter affords ample testimony:-


Slead Hall
Bradford

To the Band:
Gentlemen, thanks for the paper you have kindly sent me. I am much pleased you still keep up a good band. I have set times to see Earby once more, but the bad weather we have had lately has prevented me.
I should like to see Mr. William Sephton once more. he must be getting old like myself by this time. I have neglected writing to my esteemed friend, Mr. Sephton but I should much like to hear of him and his respected family.
I suppose there will not be many in your band now as when I knew them? There are only three living in the Old Black Dyke Band that were members when I left them. I am 79 and Sephton will not be far short of this. I hear there has been great change at Earby since my days. I wish your Band may still be successful, and may each man have a happy and prosperous New Year, yes the whole village.
Believe me, yours most sincerely,
William Rushworth


New Blood
For a time the band rested on its laurels and did little contesting, but after the “New Mechanics” (the Victoria Institute) was built, some young players were drawn in. The assembly room at the Institute was a fine practicing chamber for the Band, and it was their headquarters for the best period of its existence. The Band always used to play for the Baptist School at Earby Feast and when they obtained their first uniform they were photographed on the steps in front of the Chapel. I have seen a copy of this group and the Band at this time, (in about 1885) was composed of the following men:-
Will Rushton conductor
Squire Firth
James Wormwell
James Smith
Chas. Wilkinson
Thomas Lowcock
John Cowgill
Wm. Waddington
Wm Duxbury.
Joe Sephton
Wm. Holmes
Wm. Sephton
John Wilkinson
Fred Wright
Henry Bailey
Richard Bailey
Stephen Bailey
Wm. Cowgill
Jas. Rowley
Hartley King
Thomas Turner
Joseph Broughton

More Contests
An eager spirit now pressed the Band and they began to compete in the best open contests in all parts of the country. No record has been kept but my informant can remember the following list:-
London (3 times)
Belle Vue (3 times)
Kirkaldy – fourth prize
Whitby – first prize
Maton – second prize
Bowness – second prize
Black Dyke – two firsts.
Ovenden – first prize.

A notable feature of the Kirkaldy contest was the placing of Earby before “Leeds Forge,” when the famous Leeds Band was at its best.

The Band was fortunate in being able to secure the best tuition, and the professional conductors engaged during this period include Fred Birkenshaw (solo cornet of the great Meltham and Dyke Bands). E, Swift, John Gladney, Alex Owen, W. Heap, John Paley and Peter Fairhurst.

Local Bandmasters
During its career the Band has been led by Jas. Bailey, Jas. Whitaker, W. Rushton, S. Firth, F. Pawson, A. Simpson and Harry Turner.
The introduction of Squire Firth to the Earby Band is one of the romances of the musical world. Coming as a youth to play with a party of “buskers” he attracted attention and work was found for him at Bracewells Shed, so that he could be retained.
For several years “Squire” played with Earby Band as solo cornet, and then removed to Skipton, where he became conductor of the Town Band. He married a sister of one of the Earby bandsmen and some of their children achieved notable musical honours.

Eminent Players
Of those who have been associated with the local band who have attained to fame, Edwin Firth is surely entitled to pride of place. He was secured by “Fodens Engineering Works” to be solo cornet in their band, and during his connection with them he was one of the premier cornet players in the country. Unfortunately the war cut short a career of great merit and greater promise.

Arthur Laycock went from Earby to St. Hilda’s Colliery, in Durham and he has been awarded the highest honours in the Brass Band world. Some of his cornet solo productions have been recorded for the gramophone, as have those of Edwin Firth.
Frank Pawson has for many years been solo cornet for the Barrow Shipyard Band at Vicker’s works.

Special Engagements
During its existence the Band has been in frequent demand for public engagements and festivities. At no place have they had such a reception as was always accorded to them at Stand Lane Church, Radcliffe. About six bands form one procession, and all the Bands accompany the singing! The best was provided for them, and the best was expected of them. But every band taking part could learn something of good conduct and its reward.

Local Connections
The Band has for the main part of its history, been an integral part of the social life of the community, and it has fulfilled its best functions when it has been linked up with the festive events of the Yorkshire village where it has bred and nurtured.

To see the Band in its most favoured setting, one goes back in imagination to the old cricket field, where on a Saturday summers evening, you had a picture of hundreds of happy villagers holding a “gala” with the band discoursing some of its best music then rounding off with the merry dance music. What a picture it was, that field with the raised crease, and its borders on the New Road and the main Road side skirted with beautiful trees and the whole community given up to pure enjoyment! And what would our gala’s, flower shows and village demonstrations have been without the Band. Then think of Christmas, when they used to make the welkin ring as they played “Shepherds” to the old tune “Angel Song” with its lively strains and it’s stirring repeats, the bass players “brasting out” (as they used to call it) as if they had wind for anything! Perhaps they made more noise in those days with their music, but it was a “joyful noise”.

The men who made Earby Band what it was we do well to honour them, for they were greater than they ever knew. To two men now gone hence we pay special tribute, for it was by their plodding, persistent efforts that the Band got so well established, and these men are William Sephton and Henry Bailey (“Keb” as everybody in Earby called him.) They were always at the practices, always ready to help young players and to get the Band on in every possible way.

That is the spirit that is needed to make the band flourish again as in the palmy days gone by. The war disorganised many local institutions and the Band sustained heavy losses. To those who went to the call of their country and especially to those who will never return, we pay grateful homage to their memory.

For more than twenty years the Band has had headquarters of its own, first in Stoney Bank Road, and more recently in the commodious club and Institute which derives its name from the Band, which are situated in New Road.

One thing needs to be born in mind, that a good band cannot be made in a month or a year. No one used to impress this fact upon the bands that he instructed more that Mr. Alec Owen, and no professional conductor is remembered with greater pleasure by Earby Bandsmen than Mr. Owen.

He is remembered not so much for his expert skill as a musician, but as a perfect gentleman; as one who always tried to get the best out of others, and whose influence for good upon the men will always abide.
To ensure real success what Mr. Owen amplified is ever needed. Good equipment is not everything. A spirit of self sacrifice, a determination always to do the best possible., and the motive to serve the community to which they belong – these qualities I trust, will continue to actuate the bandsmen and make its future career as worthy as its past has been.

OBSERVER


Transcribed from “The Pioneer”, Friday September 22nd, 1922
jct
Tuesday, 14 November 2006
2069