History
Old History
Let us go back to 1852 in Linthwaite, there were no motor cars
(Standard/Triumph car company was only formed in 1900's), the first
edition of the Huddersfield and Holmfirth Examiner Newspaper had been
printed on Saturday 6th September 1851, Woods music shop had already
been open for 3 years and we were still some 30 years away from having
a Town Hall in Huddersfield. The Band headquarters was only a few
hundred yards away from where we are based today.
In 1855 Edwin Swift was appointed solo cornet player/conductor at 13
years old and so began a long successful period with the band which
lasted until Edwin's death in 1904. Under Edwin's direction the
Linthwaite Band attended the Belle Vue Brass Band Championships 22
times from 1869 - 1891 and was placed in the prizes 16 times, 1st in
1874.
In 1877 Linthwaite Band won 1st prize at an Edinburgh Festival and was
awarded �60, the highest prize money ever paid at a contest to a brass
Band. The title "Prize Band" was added to Linthwaite at this time for
the achievement of winning 1st Prize at the same contest for three
years running, and also for winning 1st Prize at three different
contests. 1896 saw Linthwaite Band's first outing to the Whit Friday
processions by playing for the Salem Moravian Sunday School in Lees,
Oldham.
In 1908 Linthwaite Band held public rehearsals at Lindley Bandroom and
Milnsbridge skating rink. For the 1908 Belle Vue contest it is recorded
that 30 rehearsals took place in 6 weeks plus extra sectional
rehearsals. Now that's dedication!
In 1952 the Band became a "Registered Band" and again started to enter competitions. Under the tuition of its Conductor, John W Morley, the Band had many successes and became a very strong competitor in the 2nd Section (before the Championship Section was formed). In the 1950's, banding started to see some radical changes with the introduction of female band members. Linthwaite Band was thought of as a modern band with our first female bandswoman joining in 1954. Gwen Garside joined the Band on tenor horn and we are proud to say that she is still here today, now under the "pseudonym" of Gwen Iredale.
In 1962 the former premises of the local British Legion at Hoylehouse Fold, Linthwaite became vacant, and the Band took over the premises on a rental basis, where we remain to this day (incidentally we still have 6 players in the band, John Iredale, Gwen Iredale, Haydn Iredale, Bernard T Garside, Peter Swallow, and David Singleton who remember this time). Notable conductors of the sixties and seventies were Mr Herbert, H Howarth, Mr Gordon Pulleyn, and Mr Duncan Beckley, who took the Linthwaite Band at the very start of his conducting career.
In 1993 Mr David Pogson and the band gained 1st Place at the Yorkshire Regional Championships held at St George's Hall, Bradford the band then competed at the National Championships held at Wembley Conference Centre on the 2nd October 1993. The band came sixth on that occasion.
In 1999 Mr Steve Platten was asked to conduct the Linthwaite band by Mr Bernard Garside who was band Secretary. The band took part in the Diggle March Contest, winning the best Third and Fourth section Band Prize. Shortly after the band was requested to play for the Greenfield Methodist Church for their next Whit Friday Processions 16th June 2000, an engagement that has been carried on since.
The band were again to win the Yorkshire Regional Championships at Bradford in March 2002 and competed at the National Finals held at Torquay on the 21st September 2002, the band finished in commendable 11th place on that occasion.
In 2003 a concert was held in the St Paul's Hall, Huddersfield, to celebrate the passing of 150 years of music making in Linthwaite and was attended by more than 100 past and present band members plus families and friends of the band.
In 2004 the band mourned the passing of Peggy Wagstaff who died in February at the grand age of 97. Peggy's past association with the Linthwaite Band is well documented in our history. We also want to remember Alan Baxter who died this year after a long struggle with his illness. Alan joined the band in 1986 and was a loyal, committed and valued player in the band, who is sadly missed.
Over recent years, the band has fulfilled many prestigious
engagements
at venues such as 'The Royal Armouries', 'Harewood House', 'Ripon
Cathedral', 'Wakefield Cathedral' and 'Newby Hall' as well as many
charity concerts, civic concerts, garden parties, fetes etc.
Acknowledgments :-
- Joan Garside
- Bernard Garside
- John Iredale
- Gwen Iredale
- Steve Platten.
Remembrances
BRIAN HAIGH
Brian was a member of Linthwaite Band
during the 1950’s playing flugel horn. He was a member of the
Band
who played in the “Daily Herald” finals in London
in 1959. Brian sadly died on 2nd
November 2009 age 78. Our thoughts are sent to his wife Connie and
daughter Janet.
STEVE PLATTEN
Steve joined Linthwaite Band as conductor in 1997. The band enjoyed many memorable times with Steve at the helm including engagements at Ripon Cathedral, Royal Armouries, Leeds, Durham Miners Gala, Doncaster races, and also competing in the area competitions at Bradford, and winning to compete at Torquay in the National Finals in 2002.
In March 2003 Steve conducted a massed band of present and past players in a concert at St Paul’s Hall, Huddersfield to celebrate the Band’s 150th Anniversary.
Steve has been a very well known bandsman in the South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire areas conducting many bands.
Sadly Steve has had health problems over the last few years, but has still managed to carry on with his conducting at Huddersfield Brass. Steve died on 27th October 2009 aged 57. His funeral was held at St Michael’s Church, East Ardsley. A Band of many of his friends played at the service which was attended by fellow bandsmen. Our thoughts are with Steve’s family and friends.
LESLIE DYSON
Leslie played Euphonium and Trombone with Linthwaite Band from the late 1940’s into the 1970’s. He was with the Band when they won at the Belle Vue competition in 1959, and also at the National Finals in London in 1954, 1956 and 1959. Leslie also played with Lindley Band, Slaithwaite Band and Marsden Band and latterly with Vintage Brass. Leslie died on 5th November 2009 aged 82. Our thoughts are with Margaret and family.
ALAN BAXTER
The band remembers Alan Baxter, a long serving member of Linthwaite Brass Band as percussionist.
News
Birthday Cards!
We've got a dedicated follower of the band who has decided to help raise band funds by creating handmade cards (not just Birthday ones) at the very affordable price of £3.00 for a quantity of three, the Web Fairy thinks, or it could be five, or is it three, and £1.50 for a big 'un. Well worth the prices, once we've got the prices confirmed. Ring for more details.
To get hold of these cards, all you have to do is put your order in by text, snail mail, E-mail, or turn up and see what's on offer at our practise room! You are also able to request specific designs. Perhaps something for that discerning brass bandsperson in your life. So that'll be an order for three, each with a pint of beer on the front.....
Now and forever more!
The website fairies have been away on vacation for a while with this one and we really wanted to be sure that our Carol was happy to have her picture on the internet thingy! We still have to find out whether she is happy with this because she is shy, as you can see in the picture. But in the meantime Carol's A GRANNY!!!!!!
12.09.2008
Jason and Gemma get wed! Congratulations to our first horn player Jason Sheard and his new wife, Gemma on their marriage. The wedding was held at St Paul's, Armitage Bridge followed by a reception at Crosland Heath Golf Club. A great day was had by everyone and we wish both of them many years of health and happiness together.
08.08.2008
Linthwaite Brass Band launches their website!
Finally, some action!