A Short History

This is the second Eccleston Brass Band. The first band disbanded in 1936, it had uniforms in Brown and Gold, and after it closed, the instruments were taken to the Eccleston Vicarage for storage. In late 1969 Wendy Stuart, the artist (then Joynson) approached the Rector Dickie Bretherton to obtain release of the instruments for the re-forming of Eccleston Brass Band. We had a meeting in late 1969, to sound out interest in the project, a positive decision was made, and this was followed by a meeting, with instruments, in January 1970.
Among those present at these meetings were playing members Roger Bannister, Gerry Sharkey, Peter Harrison, Jack Dickenson, Jack Turner, and Richard Knock. From the pre-war band there were Eric Barker (Baritone) Stanley Banks (Cornet) and Stanley Bennett (Double Bb Bass). Eric Banks and Jack Singleton who had children interested in joining were also present, as was Harry Wright from Southport, who had offered to act as M.D. to get the band going.

At that second meeting, more musicians turned up, and with a motley selection of old instruments (I had my own trumpet, not really a brass band instrument!) we managed to play the ‘Prince Imperial’ march, and made a reasonable job of it, and also elected officers for the band. Wendy was our first Secretary. These meetings and subsequent rehearsals took place in the end room of the Working Men’s Institute, which was then a wooden building but on the Institute’s present site. There was an old coke stove to warm us in winter. It was extremely cramped and every so often the stove would blow back and it would become impossible to play because of the fumes.

We obtained some black blazers from somewhere, and Ronnie Sage, a policeman living on Red House Lane obtained a set of discarded police caps; we designed blazer badges, sewed them on, and had our photograph taken on the old cricket ground (now ‘Cricketer’s Green’ Estate off Doctor’s Lane).

First Appearance

The Band’s first public appearance was at St Mary’s Church for the 1970 Remembrance day service. We were not yet up to parading so we just played for the hymns and the Last Post at the Cenotaph. I think at that time Jack Turner was our Principal Cornet Player.

By Christmas we were ready to go Carolling. By today’s standards it was a primitive affair. Eric Banks and Jack Singleton lugged a battery box and portable lamp around while we stopped every 50 yards or so to play. This continued for a number of years, until television and double glazing combined to make the band inaudible to those inside, and trombone player George Gibson organised the restaurant/pub system that we still use today.

One tradition, which has had to be discontinued since 2002, was a walk from the top to bottom of the village playing carols on Christmas morning. We were lubricated on our way down by John McDowell (Newcastle Brown Ale), John Rigbye (Sherry), John’s Parents Jack and Annie Rigbye, (Whisky, a carol, and then more whisky) and Barrie Newton, Landlord at the Farmer’s Arms (Whisky). We usually then ended up at the Bannisters, and staggered home to a Christmas Dinner lovingly prepared by tolerant wives. Sadly too many of the band’s members, particularly those not living in Eccleston, had family commitments which rightly took preference, so this particular party had to end.
There were many tales to tell about carolling on the street, like being lubricated early on, by the local incumbent at Eccleston Hall, who also pushed our M.D. John Newbiggin into his swimming pool; and playing a dreadful version of a carol, aptly called ‘The Birds’ to an attentive electricity sub- station on Southport Road, when Peter Harrison persuaded us that ‘Little Jimmy’ whoever that might be, lived there. I think that was also the evening when Alan Beresford (cornet), and Gerry Sharkey (Baritone) finished a bottle of scotch off at my house, and the festivities came to an end with Alan being ill over my compost heap!

Brass for New Brass

We had to do something about instruments, they were old, worn, and in what is called ‘high pitch’, incompatible with the new ones which we wanted to buy. So we had the entire set converted to ‘low pitch’ by adding numerous small sections of tubing to them. This left us free to start a programme of replacement. Some amazing things happened. Our M.D, John Newbiggin lent the Band £2000 to buy new basses, an incredible act of faith, which caused some panic among some of the more nervous committee members. I was secretary at the time, and returned from a holiday to find old timers Stan Banks, Eric Banks and Jack Singleton knocking on my door saying “They’ve put the band in hock!! I’ll have nowt to do wee’t!” But it all ended well, we got the basses, and John got his money back.

This start meant that we were able to invest in quality instruments over the years -absolutely essential if you want a quality sound from the band. We began to enter contests. Our first was in Skelmersdale in, I think 1972. By that time Wendy had relinquished her position as Secretary, and I had taken on the task. To me fell the job of dealing with the bureaucracy of registering the Band and its players, drawing up a Rule Book, and arranging transport etc. As a novice in the Brass Band world it was a bit daunting, but we collectively managed it, and even won 4th prize with a piece called ‘Homage to Pharoah’ We played in 2 parades in the1972 ‘Preston Guild’ The main procession, and the ‘Torchlight one. The Torchlight was enormous fun, a great atmosphere. The main procession was also impressive, but we were a bit worried when the cheers turned to ‘boos’ as we passed the crowd. We were perhaps a bit raw, but not that bad. We were relieved to find that the reason for the crowd’s reaction was the presence of the ‘Inland Revenue’ float, immediately behind us!

I remained Secretary for three years, then became Treasurer for the next four. Christmas was, and is, a busy time for the Treasurer. In those days, for several years, concurrent with the carols and collections, we ran a New Year’s Eve dance at the Church Hall on Lawrence Lane (now pulled down and replaced with yet another housing estate). Lady band members and member’s wives did all the catering for around 100 people. We hired a dance band for the first one, but the sax player couldn’t synchronise with a flatly tuned piano, so it was a rather untuneful experience, but a lot of fun. On one occasion, Stephen’s dad Roger joined forces with Jack Dickenson and Peter Harrison and they performed a very well choreographed version of the ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’, appropriately dressed in white fairy dresses with frilly skirts. I then did a three year stint as Chairman, which was relatively easy.

A New Home

We had to leave the Institute, it was too small, and rebuilding plans were in the offing. We were temporarily accommodated in the storage but beside the ‘Bateman Hall’ (Over 60’s) It was kind of the Over 60’s to accommodate us in that way, but again it was cramped, so we had to do something about it. At that time our M.D. was Dougie Blackledge who had joined the band with his Dad, aged about 8. (Dougie, not his Dad!)

The Band has always been fortunate in having a wide range of experts in its ranks. We had Peter Harrison and Arnold Gore both in the building trade, Jack Dickinson, a plumber, Alan Blackledge and Brian Smith, both electricians, and Gerry Sharkey, a clerk of works. Gerry, through his work contacts managed to obtain our present band building, which was originally a building site office at a Morecambe Hospital, later used there as a linen store. We could have it free, as long as we dismantled it and moved it off site between Christmas and the New Year 1982. This was some achievement as it had to be taken apart without damage, and the parts marked for re-assembly. Roger Bannister borrowed a lorry for transport, and Andrew Smith at Manor Farm offered to store it under tarpaulins until the spring, when we could make new foundations and move it to the present site, to rebuild it where it now stands. Of course, with planning permission, foundations, installation of services, all this had to be done by band members. The result is a first rate, well-equipped rehearsal room, only spoilt occasionally by young graffiti artists and vandals who still try to spoil anything of value in the community.

Our Musical Directors

Our Musical Directors have all had the task of taking the band forward musically, and all have achieved that, in one way or another. Forgive me if I have omitted anyone, but as I recollect, they have been: Harry Wright: The hard task of starting a band from scratch Fred (???) ex-military, known and famously criticised by Stan Bennett for conducting the band wearing a purple ‘gansey’!

Stuart Allison: Another ex-military musician, a clarinettist.

Billy Haydock: Legendary Northwest Brass Band M.D.

John Newbiggin: Another fine M.D. and band supporter.

Douglas Blackledge: First started as a young boy on cornet, became principal cornet, then took over as M.D. while still in his teens, and went eventually to play with Black Dyke Mills.

Harry Bentham: Mr. Brass of Southwest Lancashire, has taught most of the north west brass band musicians at some time or other. Harry helped the band win it’s first and second chance to play in the National Finals in London.

Graham Smith: A big band trumpet player and brass band conductor and good friend of the band who often deputises when our own M.D. is absent.

Brian Harper A cockney lad who managed to get Eccleston Band its first Championship prize.

Ian Bateson: Continued improving the band with superb concert work and more contest wins. Danny Brooks: Worked hard and successfully to improve the band’s contest record.

John Wood: Taking the band onward and upward in both contest and concert work. A fine and knowledgeable musician, and a great asset to the band, He is a first rate tenor horn player and had played tenor and been the band’s treasurer some years ago.

In recent years, we have benefited greatly from a bunch of new members, quite a number of whom came to us from the Tarleton Band, which closed down a couple of years ago. They, and other new members have given the band yet another spur of life, and we are currently in the lucky position of having somewhat more than a full standard complement. They have all helped towards getting us yet another appearance in the National Finals Competition. Our 5th! (2 x London 2 x Harrogate, 1 x Cheltenham).

Our Wonderful Band of Friends

We have been fortunate in many ways, in having good, dedicated band officers and committees, allied to a fine collection of talented musicians, there are some who have been with us almost as long as I have, and some who started here as children, many, many years ago.

Particularly noteworthy have been two of our very long serving and dedicated committee officers: Carolyn Musgrave, long standing and hard working band Secretary, who only retired from the band quite recently, and Janet Pullan, our quite wonderful Treasurer who for what seems like countless years has performed the onerous task of book-keeping for the band, with quite extraordinary accuracy and clarity, while coping with various percussion and occasionally on Tenor Horn. Our long standing, totally loyal, Principal Cornet Player and current Chairman Andy Pullen is another of those who started in the band as a child.

Over the years we have enjoyed great support from the village people and local business. especially when playing away from home in national competitions.

Thank you, Eccleston.

This is a fantastic village institution of fine musicians, and I am very, very proud to have played my part in its founding and development. Long may it continue, as I’m confident it will.

Richard Knock (Joined 1969. still here 2024!)

(I am very much aware that this is very much a short summary of some of the band’s history, a comprehensive and detailed account of which would require at least 50 times as much detail, and a much better memory than I now possess, so I offer my apologies for the undoubtedly many important omissions in this account)