{"id":1750,"date":"2016-01-26T13:03:28","date_gmt":"2016-01-26T13:03:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/silsdentownband.silsden.net\/stbnews\/?page_id=1750"},"modified":"2020-07-20T15:31:45","modified_gmt":"2020-07-20T15:31:45","slug":"1953-2015","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/silsdentownband.silsden.net\/stbnews\/band-history\/1953-2015","title":{"rendered":"1953 -Present"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a01953<\/em><\/h2>\n

Keighley News March 7th<\/sup> 1953.<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coronation Events at Silsden.<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nearly twenty years after the bandstand erected in memory of Edward Newton was opened, the playing fields association were in the process of organising events to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd<\/sup> in 1953.\u00a0\u00a0 In doing so they booked a brass band from Shipley to play in the bandstand, they also made a kindly request to the band to play some of Edward Newton\u2019s music during their programme.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The playing fields committee recommended that a band concert should be given on the afternoon of Sunday June 14th<\/sup>, Butterfields Tank Works Band at an inclusive fee of \u00a320.\u00a0\u00a0 It was further resolved that in view of the fact that the bandstand was erected in memory of the late Mr Edward Newton the band be requested to include one or more of his works in their programme.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Coronation Event June 1953.<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Sunday 14th<\/sup> June the Butterfields Tank Works Band arrived, the day was very wet and the band were unable to play in the bandstand and had to play in the school room at a local church.\u00a0\u00a0 The programme included two of Edward Newton\u2019s hymns in their programme.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1990 Silsden Town Band Reborn<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

When Steeton and Silsden railway station was re-opened in May 1990 little did people realise that the event was to eventually spark the rebirth of Silsden Town Brass Band, after a period of fifty years since Silsden Brass Band last performed in the town.\u00a0\u00a0 To celebrate the opening of the station many Silsdeners booked on an organised day trip to Morecambe and as part of the celebrations a band was hired from Cullingworth to play on the station platform and see them all off when the train departed.\u00a0\u00a0 One of the local councillors Vera Wharvell thought at the time \u2018wouldn\u2019t it have been nicer for Silsden to have its own band, rather than hire a band from elsewhere for such occasions\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 Kath Hardcastle who had organised the Morecambe rail trip heard of Vera\u2019s musings and thought it was a good idea and handed Vera over a \u00a3100 surplus money from the trip, to organise a public meeting to see what interest there was in forming a band.\u00a0\u00a0 The money could then go towards basic band needs such as music etc.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

At a meeting held in the Town Hall fifteen musicians of various ages and abilities volunteered their services.\u00a0\u00a0 One of the players, John Knight, a saxophone player took on the role of Musical Director, John reckoned that the band could play well enough to take part in the local Silsden Remembrance Service at the War Memorial in a few months time.\u00a0\u00a0 John also stated that it would not be a brass band but a military style band, this would enable a wider range of instruments to take part.\u00a0\u00a0 He also wanted the band to be a marching band, which is not always an easy thing to perform well.\u00a0\u00a0 John also saw the band as a civic amenity which would enable young people to develop a good sense of civic pride.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"John<\/a><\/p>\n

Councillor Vera Wharvell and John Knight<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"J<\/a><\/p>\n

John Night Conducting<\/em><\/p>\n

Telegraph & Argus November 1990.<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

John Knight who has been Musical Director of the Silsden Town Band since it was re-formed in the summer after a fifty year break is stepping down and will be replaced by Derek Modley.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The band Press Officer Kath Hardcastle said \u2018music enthusiast Mr Knight has resigned due to other commitments\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 Miss Hardcastle added \u2018the band has got so many rehearsals for so many dates that have been booked that he feels he cannot give the time.\u00a0\u00a0 We are sad to accept his resignation and want to thank him for the work he has done\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n

SILSDEN\u2019S BAND FIRST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

On Remembrance Sunday 1990 the fledgling Silsden Town Band made their debut by leading the parade to the cenotaph. \u00a0Eight year old Rebecca Straker, the band\u2019s youngest member, was the Mace Bearer. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1990<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The twelve strong band, formed just three months earlier, led the ceremony in the singing of two hymns.<\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1990<\/a><\/p>\n

A band member laying a wreath on behalf of Silsden Band during the service.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Derek takes the Baton<\/u>.<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Derek Modley who was already a member of the Silsden Band and on the committee took over the Musical Directorship from John Knight in November 1990.\u00a0\u00a0 Mr Modley\u00a0 was also a Jazz player.\u00a0\u00a0 Derek, a nephew of the former well known Yorkshire Comedian Albert Modley, had worked with Mr Knight in previous bands.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Derek<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Modley could play a variety of instruments and had high hopes of the band raising enough money to purchase a Double Bass for him to play.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

As well as being a proficient player of all Saxes, Keyboard, Reeds and Brass, Derek also arranged music.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

He was an engineer and worked at Seba Developments.<\/strong><\/p>\n

SILSDEN TOWN BAND WELCOME T.V. CELEBRITY.<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The band secretary called at Hollywood Bowl in Keighley to meet the Hollywood Bowl manager, David Woods to discuss a social night out for the band.\u00a0 He was invited to a further meeting with the manager who asked them if they could play the tune \u2018HiDe Hi\u2019 to welcome T V Personality Sue Pollard to the Hollywood Bowl on the following Saturday.\u00a0\u00a0 If they could do this, the Tuesday Social Night for the band would be classed as a free night for them.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sue was to be at the event for two hours in the afternoon of Saturday in late November 1990, and he requested that the band learned to play \u2018Hurray For Hollywood\u2019 as this was to be the centres signature tune.\u00a0\u00a0 As the timescale was short he requested that if they couldn\u2019t learn it in time they would learn it for future occasions.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The band was also invited to play carols outside one evening nearer Christmas and take up a collection for the band.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sue<\/a><\/p>\n

Majorettes Connection to Silsden Town Band.<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the early days of the Silsden town Band, it had close connections with a newly formed troop of Majorettes who were being trained by expert Marjorie Cropper of Cleckheaton.\u00a0\u00a0 The troops intention was to march and perform with the town\u2019s new band at various functions.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Majorettes\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The uniform for the Majorettes was sweatshirt tops the same style as the band with the same insignia and motif (based on the town\u2019s coat of arms) but the colour was blue, whereas the band\u2019s tops were white.\u00a0\u00a0 It would seem from these arrangements that Silsden Town Band was moving to an American style marching band with a Majorette troop in support.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the early days moneys acquired by the band and majorettes was deposited in a single bank account and the majorettes were also involved in attending band committee meetings.\u00a0\u00a0 This arrangement eventually ceased when bank accounts had to be separated and the majorettes were not allowed to attend band committee meetings unless the agenda involved them in the band\u2019s activities.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In April 1991 the band committee decided to make separate all links with the majorettes, although the relationship between the band and the majorettes were strained at times, they still continued to work together when performing at events such as the local carnival.\u00a0\u00a0 At a band committee meeting in August 1991 it was agreed that the majorettes would be invited to a particular meeting to discuss events for the coming month.\u00a0\u00a0 Also at the committee meeting the Musical Director expressed his opposition to the majorettes playing \u2018ghetto blasters\u2019 on marches.\u00a0\u00a0 He said \u2018certain members of the public have approached him and did not like it\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 The committee then agreed that if the majorettes wished to march with the band on future bookings then the band must make the decisions as to how it is done.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Band entertains The Welsh.<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Trip Organiser Kath Hardcastle arranged a day trip to Llandudno by special train from Steeton\/Silsden Station.\u00a0\u00a0 Members of the Silsden Town Band also travelled on this train and the band had been booked to perform at its first out of town engagement on the promenade of Llandudno.\u00a0\u00a0 The band was accompanied by the majorettes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1992 -1999<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

Raising Money For The Band.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

After the initial donation of \u00a3100 to help set up the Silsden Town Band it was realised that a large amount of money would be needed to sustain the band into the future.\u00a0\u00a0 They had very few brass instruments and there was no trace of any of the brass instruments they could have used that may have been owned by the old Silsden Town Band.\u00a0\u00a0 Thus the band re-formed with mainly reed instruments.\u00a0\u00a0 The band committee soon set about organising a variety of fund raising events, these included coffee mornings and tombola, they approached business for donations and sponsorship, collecting boxes were placed in some of the local shops and over the years they applied to a variety of organisations for help.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n