In the beginning…

Eccleston Brass Band was originally formed as a drum and fife band in the 1850’s, in the small village of Eccleston, near Chorley in Lancashire.  It was converted into a brass band in 1890, when it became known as Eccleston Subscription Prize Band, then Eccleston Prize Brass Band.  

The group was reorganised for a second time after the Great War, but made little progress until 1930, when Mr T.C. Barlow of Leyland was appointed bandmaster, and led the band to the Belle Vue May contest, achieving fifth place out of 27 entries.  By 1932, they had won first place at the Standish Band contest, with a prize of £8 (£461 in today’s money) and a cup valued at 25 guineas. 

The band went on to play at many events and competitions in the run up to the Second World War, at which point, conscription and pressures of the time brought the band to an end once more.  It remained that way for thirty years, until a forgotten relic from the original band was uncovered in 1969…

1969

In 1969, during a routine audit, the Manager of the TSB Bank in Eccleston, discovered an account in the name of Eccleston Band containing £150 (around £2000 in today’s money).  He was duty-bound to find if a claimant existed and put the word out around the village.  It was enough to spur a group of local players into getting together and deciding Eccleston Brass Band should, once again, exist, and the account was claimed to get the band started for a second time. 

The group collected the instruments from the rector of Eccleston St. Mary’s, Mr Bretherton, and rehearsals started at Eccleston Institute.

The 1970’s

The 1970’s were all about building the band both in members and equipment.

In those days, gambling wasn’t legal, but it was permitted to run a “200 club” – a simple lottery with a weekly and monthly prize.  As this was the only way to have a flutter, most of the village got involved on a regular basis.  The group were raising around £1000 a year running the 200 club (around £13k in current money), and within five years, had bought instruments for the entire band.

The band performed at concerts, carolled up and down the streets, and played in restaurants, some nights with two routes running during busy periods.  As a result of this hard word, the players earned better instruments and uniforms, funded excursions to competitions and events, and cemented the foundations for the future.

The 1980’s

Having practiced in Eccleston Institute and Bateman Hall for some years, the band was looking for a permanent base, and in 1987 they received a tip-off about a building due for demolition.  After a few phone calls, the building was kindly offered for free on the condition it was taken down and removed urgently.  So over the weekend, the lads took it down and stored it at Smiths Farm on Towngate.

With the support of the council, planning permission was granted, foundations laid by members of the team, and the building was re-erected on the field at the bottom of Drapers Avenue, where it sits to this day.

The 1990’s

1990 marked our first visit to the national finals at the Albert Hall under conductor Harry Bentham.  This became our highest achievement so far, winning third place.

We also reached the finals in 1991 achieving fourth place.

The 2000’s

At the turn of the new millennium, the band were promoted to third section in the brass band league. 

We qualified twice for the national finals under conductor Ian Bateson, achieving a top ten place both times, and went on to gain numerous prizes in contests throughout the decade.

The 2010’s

During the 2010’s, the band continued winning contests throughout the UK including first prize at the Lancashire Brass Band Championships.

We were promoted to second section, and towards the end of the decade, we reached the national finals for a fifth time under our current conductor John Wood, achieving our latest top ten finish.

The 2020’s

Despite a bad start to the decade, with covid shutting us down for almost a year, we went on to achieve our best ever Whit Friday results in 2023.

Performing at a total of 14 villages throughout Saddleworth and Tameside, we achieved Four 1st Prizes, 2nd Prize, and 4th Prize.

Later in 2023, we also won 2nd Prize at Kirby Lonsdale in addition to Best Soloist – Andrew Pullin.

In 2024, we qualified second at the North West Regional Finals, and will be going to the National Finals in Cheltenham later in the year for a sixth time.