Brass Bands
I've got an incoming question from a researcher regarding local bands. Reproduced below. Anyone got any info? we must have had a few colliery/village bands?
Did your village, town or community once have its own brass or silver band? I am carrying out ongoing research in the history of brass bands in local communities, and would like to ask if you know of any information about any such extinct bands in your area. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were the "golden age" for these bands numbering, it is said, up to 40,000 distinct bands at their peak. Many of these bands were associated with local industries, often being a "works" band. Others provided a musical focus for many small towns and villages in the days before the gramophone and the wireless. Today, in contrast, only some 1,500 or so are left active in the UK. Sadly many of the bands left little in the way of information about their existence, and what does exist is widely scattered with individuals, local archives and national collections. Part of my research is to identify these lost bands, to collect together material to provide a central database of info |
My uncle was a member of I think, the Broomhill Colliery Band, probably in the 1920s. He played a bassoon or some such thing. Isn't there a photograph in one of Elizabeth Stewart's books taken outside the Grey Arms? We also had a funeral at Amble of a Radcliffe man with the bands playing at the head of his cortege (12 June post on Amble page).
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Broomhill Colliery Brass Band
I know it is a bit late for me in replying to this thread, the Broomhill band started up in the 50s as my brother Lawrence joined up and played the cornet, a school pal of mine Ray Harmer played the fugel horn (not correct spelling, sorry). The band hut was built opposite the road into Broomhill colliery.
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Re Broomhill Band
The band was formed in 1953 from voluntary subscriptions from every miner at Broomhill Colliery.
The bandmaster was Charlie Gillan from Amble who worked on the screens. Also members were Lawrence Young, who you mentioned, Jackie Oliver, Jackie Johnson, John Sanderson, Wilf Hardy, Michael Keen, John Smith, Ronnie Morton, Eric Ross, Jack Sillet, Derek Sillet, Ed Knox, and the Bandmasters son who's name I forget, who played the trombone,Jack Russell, George Bell, Tommy Welch and Raymond Harmer. I am sure I have missed some names as it was a long time ago, but it was enjoyable. We had a practice on a sunday morning and some went to Amble and practiced with thier band on a sunday evening. That was upstairs in the then 'Station Inn', Fiveways. The band broke up as the pit closed and players went to the Armed Forces and other areas for work. |
Amble and Radcliffe Prize Band
Interesting this. Looks like the 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers borrowed the 'Amble and Radcliffe Prize Band' in 1914.
http://www.coquetandcoast.co.uk/imag...es_johnson.jpg Mr. Chas. Johnson, of Long Row, Radcliffe, for the past five years has been bandmaster of that excellent local combination, the Amble and Radcliffe Prize Band, which is now stationed in Alnwick, as the Band of the 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. In the streets of Alnwick, their splendid music is heard four times a day, leading the Terriers out on parade and finishing up in the Market Place invariably with ‘The British Grenadiers’. It is interesting to know that their silver instruments cost between £400 and £500. They have won several contests. Two years ago they attended Crystal Palace in the national prize competitions, and came out 12th amongst 27 bands from all parts of the United Kingdom. Mr Johnson is a native of North Seaton, but has spent 10 years at Shilbottle, 11 years at Newton-on-the-moor Colliery as manager and has been about nine years at Amble. He was bandmaster at Shilbottle and organist at the Parish Church (both old and new), being an organ pupil of the late C.E. Moore’s. He was also organist at Newton and occupied a similar post at Eglingham for about a year in the time of the late Ven. Archdeacon Martin. He has adjudicated at several contests, vocal and instrumental, his first experience in this capacity being at the first miners’ picnic at Tynemouth, when 19 bands competed. Mr Johnson has four sons under the colours at the present day- two in France and two in Alnwick- an example of family patriotism on which the admirers of his fine hand will heartily congratulate him. Alnwick & C. Gazette Aug 1914 |
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Looking at the 1911 census, if I have the right Charles Johnson, Long Row, Radcliffe, then he would be 57 is 1918 so it's not likely to be him ..but you never know..
His job in 1911 was "Master Shifter". |
Also on 1901 census as Colliery Manager at Newton on the Moor, which ties in nicely with the newspaper article.
The four sons 'under the colours' [with age in 1914] are likely to be: Thomas Robert Johnson 32 Robert Johnson 30 Charles Johnson 20 Matthew Johnson 15 (Boy rank I assume) Three of the sons are still at their father's address in 1911. Robert is missing but they have actually started to write out his name then struck it through. |
...stop press...
Just noticed that WW1 service papers has survived for Charles Johnson senior, aged 49 on attestation, "miner and musician" 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. ...more to follow.. |
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He must have died in 1917 as his widow is being awarded a pension for some of the children in that year.
There's not much left of the service papers but it looks like he only served at home. Expected because of his age I guess. He is missing from the CWGC database. now... he was 7-1731 Sargeant Charles Johnson 1/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. no medal index card for him but there is one for: 7-1732 Private Charles Johnson 1/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. This is almost certainly father and son, sequential numbers saying they signed up together. Charles junior is one of the originals, to France & Flanders 21/04/1915. To confuse matters there is another Charles Johnson on the AVL at Stable Row Radcliffe serving with the Durham Light Infantry. |
Newcastle Journal, 7 April 1915:
"Recruiting March; Northumberland Fusiliers visit Wooler and District The recruiting march in the north of Northumberland of the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd line, started from Alnwick yesterday. Three officers and about 150 men paraded in the Market square and the first day's march was to Whittingham, Glanton, Powburn and Wooler. The full regimental band attended, under bandmaster Charles Johnson......The second day's parade will be from Wooler to Chatton, Lowick, Ford, Crookham to Cornhill......Tomorrow the march will be continued via Norham and Horncliffe to Berwick....On Friday the route will be via Haggerston to Belford and Bamburgh; and on Saturday the march will be via Seahouses, North Sunderland, Beadnell, Chathill to Alnwick. It is hoped as a result of the march that a number of recruits who have not hitherto come forward will be added to the ranks of the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Line" |
Newcastle Journal, 22 January 1916:
"A Brave Radcliffe Miner Private Robert Johnson of the 1/7th Northumberland Fusiliers, who was recently awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, is a native of the village of Radcliffe, and is the second son of Bandmaster Charles Johnson, of the same battalion. At the outbreak of the war Private R Johnson enlisted into the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers and went with the battalion to the Front on 20th April, and was detailed as a stretcher bearer. He went through the numerous actions in which his battalion was engaged, and men who have returned all speak in terms of the highest praise of this young soldier, whose fearlessness and courage was noted on numerous occasions. One act for which he was conspicuous was in saving the life of a sergeant-major of the Dublin Fusiliers, whom he found lying on "No-man's land", in an exposed situation, with a broken leg and a broken arm." |
Nice Janwhin. Good job you're here.
Distinguished Conduct Medal. 1734 Private R. Johnson, 1st/7th Btn., North'd Fus., T.F. (LG 11 Mar. 1916). For conspicuous gallantry on many occasions as a stretcher-bearer, particularly on three specific occasions, when he showed great bravery and coolness in tending and removing the wounded under heavy fire. Service number is close to the other two. |
All these hidden stories of the Great War from little olde Radcliffe.
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Shame we just come across these stories by accident.
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450 miners from Newburgh had already pledged one penny a fortnight towards the cost, payable until such time as all the money ahd been raised. It was hoped that more money would be contributed following the meeting. |
Re: Cost of instruments
The cost in the article quoted by Coquet probably means total costs for the band. How times have changed. A decent Bb cornet now costs around £230 - but you get a case too. Goodness knows how much for a Eb bass.
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Back in Flickr again, Broomhill Colliery Band.
Poster states c.1950 Who would the bandmaster be at this *time? He is wearing a WW1 Medal 'trio' Another chap, trombone player with medals, and a trumpeter at the back with medal ribbons. Any IDs? *I do get the feeling this is earlier the c.1950 though. |
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