History of Burley and District Brass Bands
Area covered includes: Burley in Wharfedale, Otley and Ilkley. Currently the time period covers the 1840s to early 1960s.
One of the problems of researching brass bands in Burley in Wharfedale & the surrounding district has been the frequent changing of their names.
There's a number of reasons for this, either because the conductors and/or band members came & went or the sponsor changed or newspaper reports & other records abbreviated the names. Invaluable assistance has come from "Internet Bandsman's Everything Within (IBEW)" website & the Brass Band Results website. Brass Band Research:Otley Brass Band - 1840s to the 1870s. (A successor band was formed in 1973).
Burley Rifle Corps Brass Band. Active 1862 to 1878. The band of the 23rd West Riding of Yorkshire Rifle Volunteers. Messrs William Fison & Co. Brass Band. Active in the 1860s. The band accompanied all the Greenholme Mills workers on a trip to the Great Exhibition in June 1862 (those under 18 had a trip to Scarborough instead). Still active in 1864. Burley in Wharfedale Brass Band. Active in 1865. Quite likely to be the Wm. Fison & Co Brass Band, but under a different name. Otley Zingari Brass Band. Active in 1869. (The brass band was called “Zingari” after the Italian for wanderer, as it had no permanent home). Ilkley Brass Band. Active 1875 to 1914. From the IBEW data, believed it was only active up to 1900, but have found references to events up to the start of World War 1. At some it was called Ilkley Prize Brass Band. "Whitsuntide Festivities. There was a cricket match between the Ilkley C.C. and Leeds Moorland, which attracted a good number of spectators and the Ilkley Brass Band, which played for dancing in a field in Bridge Lane, was well patronised." Bradford Observer 18 May 1875. Wharfedale Brass Band. Active in 1875.
Otley Engineers Volunteer Band Also known as Otley R. E. Band. Active in 1890s and 1900s. Burley & District Brass Band. In 1910 Mary Chorley of Burley Woodhead revives the Burley Brass Band with William Ingham Warburton as conductor, initially using a shed in her garden. c1912 they rehearsed in Mary Chorley's barn at Burley Woodhead.
In the 1914-18 war pretty much the entire band volunteered for the army. Twelve members lost their lives. In 1919 William Warburton, with the assistance of Mrs Mary Chorley, set about reforming the Burley Brass Band & called it the Burley Otley & District Brass Band. The members fundraised & bought new uniforms. |
In the image above, believed to have been taken at Belle Vue, Manchester, Thomas William Rayner is the trombonist 3rd from the right. He was born in 1896 at Burley Woodhead and worked in the family blacksmiths at Burley Woodhead. Joined the army in 1916 as a farrier and served in Belgium when came home got married, worked on the railway at Burley and lived in Primrose Cottage, Hag Farm Road until moving to Ilkley in the 1930s working on Railway as Goods Foreman at Ilkley Railway Station. Information courtesy of Pat Asquith, Thomas Rayner's granddaughter.
In July 1926 at a ceremony in the Grange grounds in Burley in Wharfedale in front of the townsfolk & a number of dignitaries, Mrs Mary Chorley presented new silver plated instruments to the band members. Their cost was £505, a vast sum in those days, the money was again raised by the band themselves. The band was then known as the Burley Silver Prize Band.
In the Burley Archive, below is an image from 1927 of Burley District Brass Band.
1928 to 1934 Arthur Newsome Public Works Band, Burley in Wharfedale. This was the Burley Silver Prize Band conducted by William Warburton, under sponsorship by Arthur Newsome Limited. (They were also known as the Burley Works Band).
"Ilkley Concert. An excellent concert arranged by the Arthur Newsome, Ltd., Public Works Band, Burley -in-Wharfedale, was given last night in the New Cinema llkley." Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 29 Dec 1930.
Annual brass band contest established in 1928 in Burley in Wharfedale, West Riding of Yorkshire, sponsored by Arthur Newsome Ltd. At the first contest held in the Recreation Ground in Burley there were cash prizes for first to fourth & the winner received the Arthur Newsome Challenge Cup.
4th Annual Brass Band Contest:
"At the fourth annual brass band contest on Saturday, attracted 11 entries in the local recreation ground. The first prize in the selection contest, carrying with it the Arthur Newsome Challenge Cup, was won by Bradford City, the other placings were: 2, Carlton Temperance; 3, Manvers Main, Doncaster." Leeds Mercury 4 Jul 1932.
"At the fourth annual brass band contest on Saturday, attracted 11 entries in the local recreation ground. The first prize in the selection contest, carrying with it the Arthur Newsome Challenge Cup, was won by Bradford City, the other placings were: 2, Carlton Temperance; 3, Manvers Main, Doncaster." Leeds Mercury 4 Jul 1932.
Arthur Newsome Challenge Cup - where is it now? Contact Us if you know.
5th Annual Brass Band Contest:
"At the fifth annual brass band contest promoted by , the Burley, Otley and District Band, at Burley-ln-Wharfedale, on Saturday, Bradford City, conducted by Mr. H. Grace, were awarded the Arthur Newsome Challenge Cup. Leeds Model (Mr. T. Hunter), were second and Skipton (Mr. Harold Moss) third." Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 26th June 1933
1934 Burley Otley & District Brass Band
When Arthur Newsome died in 1934, the band reverted to Burley Otley & District Brass Band. Rehearsed in the Township School in Burley-in-Wharfedale. Also rehearsed in the Fellowship Room, a converted barn owned by Mrs Mary Chorley at Burley Woodhead.
1949 Burley and Ilkley (District) Brass Band - formerly Burley & District Brass Band.
"After a parade through Menston, led by Burley and Ilkley Brass Band, the standard of the Women's section of Menston Branch of the British Legion was dedicated at the Parish Church." Yorkshire Evening Post 24th Oct 1949
In the 1950s it was known as Burley & Ilkley Brass Band or Burley & Ilkley Silver Prize Brass Band. They practiced in the old Township School in Burley in Wharfedale, on Wednesday nights & Sunday mornings. Members of the band at this time included: David Howe (tenor horn) & Howard Bancroft (principal cornet).
|
Below is a pair of 1956 images from the Howard Bancroft Collection in the Burley Archive. On the very left of the first image is believed to be William Warburton.
The band folded in the early 1960s with the illness of William Warburton. He died in 1964. He'd been the conductor & driving force behind it for over 50 years.
Contest Results for Burley Brass Bands 1929 - 1958
Courtesy of Brass Band Results website.
The list combines the results from 2 conductors - W. I. Warburton & W. J. Warburton
- these are the same person - William Ingham Warburton (1886-1964).
The date & year information are all active web links to the Brass Band Results web page for that contest.
The list combines the results from 2 conductors - W. I. Warburton & W. J. Warburton
- these are the same person - William Ingham Warburton (1886-1964).
The date & year information are all active web links to the Brass Band Results web page for that contest.
21st Sep 1929 North Craven Contest - Arthur Newsome Ltd
28th Sep 1929 Crystal Palace (Junior Shield - B) - Newsome's Public Works
27th Sep 1930 Crystal Palace (Junior Shield - A) - Newsome's Public Works
28th Mar 1931 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (Open) - Arthur Newsome Public Works Band (3rd)
2nd May 1931 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B) - Arthur Newsome Ltd Public Works Band
26th Sep 1931 Crystal Palace (Junior Cup - B) - Newsome's Works
9th Apr 1932 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (Open) - Newsome's Public Works (2nd)
7th May 1932 Belle Vue May Contest (Class C Group 1) Arthur Newsome Ltd (4th)
23rd Jul 1932 Belle Vue July Contest (Class B) - Newsome Ltd Public Works
1st Oct 1932 Crystal Palace (Junior Shield - A) - Newsome's Public Works
8th Apr 1933 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (2nd Section) - Arthur Newsome's Public Works (1st)
6th May 1933 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B Group 1) - Arthur Newsome's Public Works
30th Sep 1933 Crystal Palace (Junior Cup - B) - Newsomes Public Works
9th May 1936 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District
10th Apr 1937 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (2nd Section) - Burley Otley and District
8th May 1937 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District
2nd Apr 1938 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (2nd Section) - Burley Otley and District (3rd)
21st May 1938 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District
29th Oct 1938 West Riding Contest (3rd Section) - Burley Otley and District (3rd)
4th Mar 1939 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (Open) - Burley Otley and District
15th Apr 1939 Saltaire Contest (Section 2) - Burley Otley and District
6th May 1939 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District
4th May 1940 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District (4th)
26th Oct 1940 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (3rd Section) - Burley Otley and District (2nd)
10th May 1941 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B) - Burley Otley and District
16th May 1942 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B & C) - Burley Otley and District
5th May 1945 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District (4th)
11th May 1946 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B & C) - Burley & Ilkley
8th May 1948 Belle Vue May Contest (Class C Group 2) - Burley & Ilkley
23rd Apr 1949 North Eastern Area (4th Section) - Burley & Ilkley
7th May 1949 Belle Vue May Contest (Class C) - Burley & Ilkley (2nd)
6th May 1950 North Eastern Area (4th Section) - Burley & Ilkley
27th May 1950 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B) - Burley & Ilkley
26th May 1951 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B) - Burley & Ilkley
15th Mar 1952 North Eastern Area (4th Section) - Burley & Ilkley
18th Apr 1953 North Eastern Area (3rd Section) - Burley & Ilkley
26th May 1956 Spring Festival (Primary Cup) - Burley & Ilkley Prize
18th May 1957 Spring Festival (Junior Trophy) - Burley & Ilkley Prize
1st Mar 1958 North Eastern Area (4th Section) - Burley & Ilkley Prize
17th May 1958 Spring Festival (Junior Trophy) - Burley & Ilkley Prize
28th Sep 1929 Crystal Palace (Junior Shield - B) - Newsome's Public Works
27th Sep 1930 Crystal Palace (Junior Shield - A) - Newsome's Public Works
28th Mar 1931 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (Open) - Arthur Newsome Public Works Band (3rd)
2nd May 1931 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B) - Arthur Newsome Ltd Public Works Band
26th Sep 1931 Crystal Palace (Junior Cup - B) - Newsome's Works
9th Apr 1932 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (Open) - Newsome's Public Works (2nd)
7th May 1932 Belle Vue May Contest (Class C Group 1) Arthur Newsome Ltd (4th)
23rd Jul 1932 Belle Vue July Contest (Class B) - Newsome Ltd Public Works
1st Oct 1932 Crystal Palace (Junior Shield - A) - Newsome's Public Works
8th Apr 1933 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (2nd Section) - Arthur Newsome's Public Works (1st)
6th May 1933 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B Group 1) - Arthur Newsome's Public Works
30th Sep 1933 Crystal Palace (Junior Cup - B) - Newsomes Public Works
9th May 1936 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District
10th Apr 1937 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (2nd Section) - Burley Otley and District
8th May 1937 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District
2nd Apr 1938 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (2nd Section) - Burley Otley and District (3rd)
21st May 1938 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District
29th Oct 1938 West Riding Contest (3rd Section) - Burley Otley and District (3rd)
4th Mar 1939 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (Open) - Burley Otley and District
15th Apr 1939 Saltaire Contest (Section 2) - Burley Otley and District
6th May 1939 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District
4th May 1940 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District (4th)
26th Oct 1940 Harrogate and District BBA Contest (3rd Section) - Burley Otley and District (2nd)
10th May 1941 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B) - Burley Otley and District
16th May 1942 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B & C) - Burley Otley and District
5th May 1945 Belle Vue May Contest (Class D) - Burley Otley and District (4th)
11th May 1946 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B & C) - Burley & Ilkley
8th May 1948 Belle Vue May Contest (Class C Group 2) - Burley & Ilkley
23rd Apr 1949 North Eastern Area (4th Section) - Burley & Ilkley
7th May 1949 Belle Vue May Contest (Class C) - Burley & Ilkley (2nd)
6th May 1950 North Eastern Area (4th Section) - Burley & Ilkley
27th May 1950 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B) - Burley & Ilkley
26th May 1951 Belle Vue May Contest (Class B) - Burley & Ilkley
15th Mar 1952 North Eastern Area (4th Section) - Burley & Ilkley
18th Apr 1953 North Eastern Area (3rd Section) - Burley & Ilkley
26th May 1956 Spring Festival (Primary Cup) - Burley & Ilkley Prize
18th May 1957 Spring Festival (Junior Trophy) - Burley & Ilkley Prize
1st Mar 1958 North Eastern Area (4th Section) - Burley & Ilkley Prize
17th May 1958 Spring Festival (Junior Trophy) - Burley & Ilkley Prize
Burley Community Library & Burley Archive, Grange Road, Burley in Wharfedale, West Yorkshire England LS29 7HD
Please refer to the Home page for up-to-date opening times. Closed Wednesday & Sunday
Burley Archive & Local History Group: Drop-In Sessions Friday 2.30pm to 4.30pm. For other times please contact us
Burley Archive & Local History Group: Drop-In Sessions Friday 2.30pm to 4.30pm. For other times please contact us