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History of the Band
"The world, for some of us, would be a dull and dreary place if it were not for music . . .
A Town without a good Band is a place to be avoided like the plague. Rushden, happily, is not one of those places. Not only are there plenty of musicians in the town, but there is a Band of which the townspeople speak with pride" . . .
The Rushden temperance Band 1875—1975
In 1921 a new Band was formed; and in 1947 a young man called William Scholes was appointed as Conductor, and under his guidance a very successful period began—the highlights being the winning in 1956 and 1959 of the Daily Herald Midland Area Title.
Broadcasting began in 1930 and has continued to the present-day. The greatest broadcast, in 1965, saw the Temps crowned as B.B.C. Band of the Year.
In 1971 the W. D. & H. O. Wills Midland Area Championship was won; and in 1974 the semifinals of B.B.C. Radio's Challenging Brass were reached. Finally, in July 1975, after an absence of 12 years, Mr. Bill Scholes returned to take up the baton.
The above quotation is taken from the "Rushden Echo", May 14th 1897, and still rings true to-day, for Rushden verily is a Town proud of its musical history.
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Hat Badge & braids
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The Temps originally came into existence in 1860 as a Drum and Fyfe Band, but in 1875, a meeting was held in the old Temperance Hall, the outcome of which could never have been comprehended. It was decided that a Brass Band be formed, and exactly one year later the first of many concerts was given: concerts which have given much pleasure throughout the country.
National recognition came to the Temps in 1903 with a 2nd prize at the Crystal Palace 1,000 Guineas Trophy Contest; but unfortunately WWI put an end to activities.
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The Temperance Band Hat and Drum
photographed courtesey of Rushden Museum.
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The Band in 1930
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Band Personnel
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Musical Director:
MR. W. SCHOLES, L.G.S.M., B.B.C.M.
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| Principal Cornet |
K. Turner |
| Solo Cornet |
D. Twitchings |
| Solo Cornet |
M. Robinson |
| Solo Cornet |
J. Baish |
| Soprano Cornet |
P. Stevens |
| Flugel Horn |
B. Osborn |
| Repriano Cornet |
J. Pacy |
| 2nd Cornet |
S. Parkinson |
| 2nd Cornet |
M. Napper |
| 3rd Cornet |
J. Higgins |
| 3rd Cornet |
K. Haddon |
| Solo Horn |
B. Turner |
| 1st Horn |
B. Gentle |
| 2nd Horn |
D. Bentley |
| 2nd Horn |
L. Maher |
| 1st Baritone |
T. Whitmill |
| 2nd Baritone |
P. Long |
| Solo Euphonium |
M. Wykes |
| 1st Euphonium |
M. Hanson |
| Solo Trombone |
L. Maher |
| 2nd Trombone |
R. Benning |
| 2nd Trombone |
D. Gentle |
| Bass Trombone |
J. Haddon |
| Bb Bass |
J. Hobbs |
| Bb Bass |
A. Hicks |
| Eb Bass |
E. Jones |
| Eb Bass |
T. Drage |
| Percussion |
N. Vesey |
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Rushden Temperance Band
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March—
The New Colonial |
R. B. Hall |
Overture—
Promenade
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Frank Bryce |
Euphonium Solo—
Weber's Last Waltz (Soloist: M. Wykes)
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Rimmer |
Selection—
The Gondoliers
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Sullivan |
Cornet Solo—
The Lazy Trumpeter (Soloist: K. Turner)
Mood Indigo
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E. Siebert Ellington |
Suite—
Gothique
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Arr. Eric Ball |
March—
The Three D.G's
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Brophny |
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Interval
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| Rushden Windmill Concert Band |
Selection—
West Side Story
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Bernstein |
Horn Solo—
Hindoo Song (Soloist: B. Turner)
Nimrod
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Rimsky Korsakov
Elgar |
Selection—
Pineapple Poll
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Arr. G. Brand
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Trombone Trio—
The Bold Gendarmes
Slavonic Rhapsody No. 2
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Offenbach
Friedmann
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National Anthem
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Newspaper Reports
Wellingborough News, 1st July 1882, transcribed by Kay Collins
LECTURE—On Friday evening the Temperance Brass Band paraded the town, and assembled on the Green, where a temperance lecture was delivered by Mr. W. Bell, of Loudon. Mr. E. Knight presided, and there was a good attendance.
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Rushden Argus, 06 Dec 1889, transcribed by Kay Collins
Notes of the Week
Lovers of music will note with pleasure that the Temperance Band give a concert on Sunday evening, for which occasion they have secured the services of Mr. G. F. Birkenshaw, the eminent soloist, Mr. Geo. Farey, and Miss Ellis, and we would again remind our readers of the performance of the Messiah to be given on Tuesday Next.
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The Argus, 13th December 1889, transcribed by Kay Collins
Notes of the Week
Talking of music, our bands do not intend to let the grass grow under their feet. The winter evenings are essentially the period for improvement, and during the past week Mr. Owen and Mr. G. F. Birkinshaw have given lessons to the National and Temperance Bands respectively.
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The Argus, 13th December 1889, transcribed by Kay Collins
Notes of the Week
Temperance Band - This band gave a very successful concert on Sunday evening to a crowded audience. The announcement that the services of Mr. G. F. Birkinshaw, the eminent band trainer and cornet soloist had been secured, no doubt had something to do with so large an attendance, and those who attended in the hope of hearing him were not sent away dissatisfied. Mr. Birkinshaw played two cornet solos in such a manner as to earn encores, to both of which he was compelled to respond. His first effort was Cowen's "Better Land" beautifully given, the last verse of which was repeated, whilst his second solo was a most florid and masterly rendering of "My pretty Jane", the final variation being given again in response to continued applause. Mr. G. Farey gave in a most feeling and sympathetic manner two songs, "The soldier's dream" and the lighthouse light", for the latter of which he was encored, and Miss. E. Ellis rendered very sweetly "Gentle words", and "He shall feed his flock".
The band under conductorship of Mr. Birkmshaw played Chas. Godfrey's arrangement of Gounod’s "Queen of Sheba", and Round's arrangement of "Beethoven". These items were well played,and called forth much applause. Miss. E. Farey, and Mr. G. Farey, accompanied the various solos at the piano.
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Rushden Argus, 20th Dec 1889, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Local Intelligence
Bazaar and Christmas Tree — The Temperance Silver Band will hold a bazaar and Christmas Tree in the Public Hall on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 27th and 28th.
Mr. Maurice Child's choir of Little Lads and Lasses will assist on Friday in their character pieces. On Saturday there will also be a public tea.
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Rushden Argus, Friday Dec 27th 1889, transcribed by Kay Collins
Notes of the Week
The Temperance Band gave another of their successful concerts on Sunday afternoon, receiving the assistance of Messrs. Lawrence and Palmer of Kettering, and as usual they were well supported by the local lovers of music.
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Rushden Argus, Friday 4th April, 1890, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Local Intelligence
Musical — The Temperance Band journeyed to Luton last Sunday, and gave a good programme to a large audience. The National Band go to Peterborough next Sunday.
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Notes of the Week. (about 1890)
The Rushden Bands attended the contest at Leicester Last Saturday, and though unsuccessful in the matter of prizetaking, yet they did themselves credit by their fine performances. The awards of the judge (Mr. H. Nicholson) were as follows:- First prize, Leeds Forge; second, Hanley Town; third, Hucknall Torkard; fourth, Derby United. As is usual the decisions of the judge did not give universal satisfaction, and much surprise was expressed that Wyke Temperance and one or two other well-known bands were quite out of it. The Rushden Temperance men, too, were much disappointed, and the competing bands gave vent to strong expressions of dissent when the awards were made known, the Mayor failing to obtain a hearing when endeavouring to justify the decision of the judge.
But whatever views may be held respecting the judge's decision, there is not the slightest ground for discouragement to either of the local bands. They are both admitted to have made a good fight of it, but when the difference of circumstances between bands in this county and the north country "cracks" are taken into consideration, the Rushden men came out very satisfactorily. With our local bands the members, generally speaking, are born and bred in the place, whereas...........
[notes taken from an incomplete page of the Argus c 1890]
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The Argus, 24th September 1897
Rushden Temperance Band—Two concerts on Feast Sunday. First, on the Green at 2.30 ; second, on the Station-road, at 4.45. Note.—In case of inclement weather the concerts will take place in the Public Hall at 2.30 and 8 o'clock. Dance in the Public Hall on Monday, 27th, from 7 to 11, 6d. each. |
click here to read about the members of the band
who joined up together in October 1917
with Harry Shrives
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The Argus, Friday 30th September 1910, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Feast click here for full report
...... The Temperance Band, under the conductorship of Mr. C. H. Baker gave their two annual concerts. The first one was in the Council Field in the afternoon, and the second in Mr. Marriott’s field in the evening.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 30 March 1917, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Rushden Musician Killed - Temperance Band Player Dies in His Comrades Arms
The one-time famous Rushden Temperance Band has lost one of its most valued members in the death in action of Rifleman John D Webster, London Regiment, which was unofficially reported on Wednesday. The young bandsman, aged 25, was a son of Mr and Mrs Fred Webster, of 86, Washbrook-road, Rushden, and the sad news is sent by Bandsman Odell, who says that at about 8.30 last Friday a shell burst just against Rifleman Webster and he turned to Odell saying "I'm hit" and died in his arms.
Rifleman Webster enlisted in -- County of London Regt, in 1915, with a company of other players in the Terrance Band. Last year he and all those who were fit were detailed for foreign service as stretcher bearers.
The deceased soldier was well-known in Rushden, and was formerly employed at Mr C W Horrell's shoe factory. He passed through the Sunday school of the Rushden Congregational church. At Christmastide, 1915, shortly after he joined up, he was married in London and his wife came to reside with his parents.
Mrs John D Webster and Mr and Mrs Fred Webster desire to return their grateful thanks to the many kind friends for their expressions of sympathy with them in their great bereavement.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 12 October 1917, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Rushden Musician Killed - Bandsman Arthur Odell - Formerly of the Temperance Band - Tribute by Mr Charles Ashby
We deeply regret to report that Mr and Mrs John Odell, of 54 Queen-street, Rushden, have received official news that their only son, Bandsman Arthur ("Jack") Odell, of the - London Regt., was killed in action on September 13th.
The first intimation Mr and Mrs Odell received of their son's death was a letter from Bandsman E Webster, of Rushden, who wrote:-
"Dear Mr and Mrs Odell - Please accept my deepest sympathy and may God help you to bear your burden. Your dear son was laid to rest at Y Wood tunnels, near Ypres. I put this little text above his grave 'Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for those he holds dear'. I must close, tendering the deepest sympathy of his section chums."
The late Bandsman Odell, who was 28 years of age, leaves a widow and three little children under five years of age. He had been a member of the Rushden Temperance Band from boyhood, commencing with the cornet. Late, he played the E flat bass. Mr Chas. Ashby, for many years secretary of the band, and who now resides at Blackpool, writes, "I have no hesitation in saying that he was one of the best of bandsmen, always ready to do his bit, and when I came away from Rushden he had the ability of making one of the finest bass players the Temps have ever had."
Bandsman Odell joined up about two years ago with the late Bandsman John Webster, of Rushden, who was killed about seven months ago, dying in Bandsman Odell's arms. These soldiers were staunch pals, always together in the Temps, and on their military duties after joining the Forces. The deceased soldier had been in France about 14 months, when he met his death from a shell. It is a mercy that he was killed instantaneously, so that he suffered no pain.
As a lad he passed through the Sunday school of the Independent Wesleyan Church, Rushden, and was a member of the Rushden (Myrtle) Lodge of Free Gardeners from boyhood. Prior to enlistment, he was employed by Messrs. Morris & Sons, stonemasons Rushden. Much sympathy is felt throughout the town and amongst the remaining members of the Temps, with the widow and bereaved parents.
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In the summer of 1952 - they played:
Sunday June 1st at Rockingham Road Park for Kettering Borough Council giving two concerts at 2.45pm and at 7.45pm, playing 22 different pieces,
And twice in London:
Sunday June 1st at 7pm at Clapham Common and
Sunday July 27th 7pm at Horniman Gardens - both concerts for London County Council (noted from programme sheets) |
click here for an interactive presentation of the Centenary programme
then click Run to view the album
Please note that because of the limitations of the software package used, it will at present only display on-line in Internet Explorer,
other browsers will download the file to run locally
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