History of the Band

Bakewell Silver Band, as it is now known, emerged from a desire by a number of town's folk of Bakewell to once again have a musical organisation in the town.  From the minutes of a general meeting held in the Congregational School Room on the evening of 19th February 1907 it was stated:

 

"[To] create a love of music amongst the young men of Bakewell, to encourage them to spend their time in a profitable and educational manner, and for their social uplifting."

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The meeting was chaired by the Reverend W Rex, and the outcome of the meeting was that

 

"it was unanimously resolved that a band be formed."

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The officers elected that evening were:

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President: Mr. B Morton Esq. JP.

Trustees: Messrs. B Morton, T Allsop, A J Critchlow, W Rouston, T Briddon, S Wain and C Critchlow.

Committee:  Messrs.  Rose, Hughes, McGregor, Roberts, R Brammwell, Tiplady, R Blackwell, Webster, and Rev. W Rex.

Secretary:  Geo. Allsop

Treasurer:  Geo. Roberts

Conductor:  B W Duckmanton

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And so it was that The Bakewell Free Church Band was formed.

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After a rapid succession of meetings in early 1907, it was decided that it was necessary to purchase a set of 23 new brass instruments from Besson & Co. London at a cost of £105-6-0.  The instruments were paid for by public subscription, with each subscriber contributing a sum of at least 5/-.  The band at the time would have been very similar in instrumentation as it is today.

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In its previous form The Bakewell Church Lads' Brigade Band, which existed up to about 1880, would have been a mixture of brass, woodwind and reed instruments.  Sadly, the band does not have any records from this organisation.