History
Nelson's Finest Hour?...So Far!
British Open Championships
Year: 1939
Date: Saturday, September 30, 1939
Venue: Belle Vue, Manchester
Adjudicator(s):
James Brier & Fred Bonelli
Test piece:
A Downland Suite, John Ireland
Pos Band Conductor Dr Pts
1 Wingates Temp. W. Wood 4 192
2 Nelson C. Smith 7 182
3 Brighouse & Rast. N. Thorpe 3 158
4 Bickershaw Coll. W. Haydock 1 156
5 Black Dyke Mills W. Halliwell 9 154
Later, in the 1890s, the Band dis-banded only to re-form in 1898 as Nelson Old Band. Its rehearsals were first held near the Prince of Wales Inn and later in a room on Ann Street. In 1920, the Band acquired Clifford House and became a social club as well as a Brass Band. During this period, the Band had many contest successes, regularly competing at the famous September contest at Belle Vue in Manchester. The Old Band, however, became more of a social club than a musical association and the Band split from the club - forming two new Bands.
In January 1957, a public meeting was held by the Town Council’s Library and Arts Committee to consider re-forming the Band. After further meetings, a grant of £650 was made and Nelson Civic Band was born. Instruments, music and uniforms were bought and rehearsals were held in a disused chapel on Stanley Street. On Tuesday 23rd April 1957, the Band played its first concert with Nelson Civic Over 60's Choir at the Civic Centre on Stanley Street. The conductor was 24 year-old Norman Riley, the players contained Bandsmen from Nelson Old and Silver Bands and players were also borrowed from other Bands. Within two years, the Band had all its own players and a thriving youth section and was competing in contests once more. The Band reverted to its original name of Nelson Band after local government reorganisation. The 60's were a good time, but the 70's were difficult. The 80's saw a regrouping but in the 90's, Nelson Band went from strength to strength. 2001 was a special year for the Band when they represented the North West in the National Finals together with other contest successes and a trip to Paris. The Band has been fortunate in having many long standing, “core” players which has ensured its continued existence, particularly in recent times when the band was reduced to that very core (see photo).
From that low point, however, thanks to much hard work the band has not only survived but has grown once again and looks to the future with a full band and increasing confidence.
Of these, Nelson Temperance Band was short-lived. The second Band, Nelson Silver Prize Band, survived until 1956. It also opened a social club on Albert Street which, once again, led to the Band’s demise. In late 1956, financial problems forced the closure of the club and the folding of the Nelson Silver Prize Band, leaving Nelson, once again, without a Band.
Unfortunately, the Band and Town Council did not always see eye to eye and in 1894, Nelson Band was engaged to play classical music in Victoria Park. On seeing a youthful audience, they suddenly began playing popular tunes of the day, an alderman objected, and the concert was abandoned!
"On summer Sundays the parks offered brass band music from Strauss to Sullivan, and some still remembered an abandoned performance by the Nelson Prize Band when an alderman complained of a broken agreement - it had switched from Victorian classic pieces to a dance tune."
Paris Trip
2001
2001
Nelson Band photographed in April 1895 at the opening of the Technical School on Market St.
The history of Nelson Brass has been inextricably linked to that of the town and especially the textile industry. In the latter part of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century, Nelson was a booming New Town built on cotton. The Band mirrored this boom and was regarded as one of the best in the country. During this period, they regularly took part in competitions, beating bands like Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick, Grimethorpe and Wingates.
They were hit hard with the rapid decline of textiles and, because of this, after the Second World War players left the area for work, older players retired and younger players were seduced by Television and Rock and Roll! The Band struggled through this period until recent times and are now once again winning contests and making a name for themselves in the Brass Band world.
They were hit hard with the rapid decline of textiles and, because of this, after the Second World War players left the area for work, older players retired and younger players were seduced by Television and Rock and Roll! The Band struggled through this period until recent times and are now once again winning contests and making a name for themselves in the Brass Band world.
Nelson Band, or latterly, Nelson Prize Band, was formed in 1862 and practised in a room at the back of the old Nelson Inn, now the Lord Nelson Hotel (incidentally, the town itself, which gained its charter in 1890, also took its name from the Nelson Inn). By 1873, the Band was boasting that in the previous four years, it had won 476 pounds 19 shillings in prize money and that its services were required at every public function.