Brass bands (General)

by peteressex , Thursday, December 30, 2010, 17:02 (5086 days ago) @ Llangrove

The first post in this thread asked specifically about colliery brass bands in the Forest. I've found the following references from a spot of googling landing on http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=232708 and then going for specific words on a free text basis.

"As in other coalfields in the 19th century, working class culture flowered with the formation of brass bands..."

Relating to Lydbrook: "The Trafalgar brass band, the most notable colliery band in the Forest, was formed before 1866...It later became the Lydbrook silver band." (Source given: Glouc. Jnl 15/09/1866; W I History of Lydbrook, 23A.)

Relating to Cinderford/Ruspidge: "A silver band was formed in 1893 from the pipe and drum band of the New Fancy Colliery" (Source given: Phelps, Forest of Dean, 92.)

Relating to Berry Hill: "In the early 1880s there were two brass bands in the area, one made up of...employees of Speedwell colliery." (Source given: Nicholls, Forest of Dean, 151.)

I also saw that the websites of Cinderford Brass Band and Bream Silver Band were updated very recently. Further enquiry in those directions and others such as Berry Hill mentioned in the previous post might reveal further knowledge of these or other bands having had associations with those of collieries. I've also just quite by chance seen a reference to Lydney Brass Band in Harris's Forest of Dean Almanack & Directory of 1910 and wondered if that band was formed from employees of the tinplate works.

There is further evidence that brass in the Forest is alive and well this New Year, as I see that Forest of Dean Brass will assemble to lead the "HOOF" (Hands off our Forest) march on Monday 3 January 2011 at noon at the Speech House Field and will then, doubtless giving praise, perform in a heated marquee.