The brass band, formed in 1904, has faded from living memory, no-one can remember hearing it play but the instruments survived until the 1950s when sadly they were thrown out or converted into such useful items as plant containers.

The band rules were found in the 90s, stuffed behind the Parish Council filing cabinet; they had been written on the back of what had been a substantial P & O advertisement.  By chance, a descendant of one of the band members realised the importance of this undated picture amongst family photographs.  The only identifiable member is Ben Richardson, the joiner who lived and worked at Orchard View.  He is kneeling front left.

The Band was an interesting development in the life of the village at the turn of the century providing popular entertainment as well as keeping local lads out of the pubs.  We would like to know more about it, was it sponsored by the church, chapel or local gentry?  Perhaps it was totally independent, instruments being bought for those who could not afford them through fundraising.  The only clue we have is that the Richardson family were church rather than chapel and the instruments were found in a bedroom at Orchard View. Click here to view the original 1904 Band Rules.