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Bideford Town Band
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BIDEFORD TOWN BAND
Welcome to our website. We hope you enjoy reading about our Band on the following pages, which will be added to regularly.
Bideford Town Band is an integral part of the local community, in the historic port of Bideford on the banks of the River Torridge, in North Devon.
We have 30 plus members in the Senior Band and approximately the same in the Training Band. We are a very friendly group of people, who enjoy playing varied music and have regular social events. We can be heard playing at concerts, fetes, parades, carnivals and Civic ceremonies.
This year we welcome our new Musical Director, Roger Ashby.
The Band can be heard on Thursday nights through the summer, alternately between Bideford Quay and Westward Ho! please see the engagements page.
Please see the contact page for details for bookings and about attending rehearsals.
If you would like to join us, whilst on holiday, you will be very welcome. Can you can already play an instrument or would like to learn? Anyone interested in joining the bsnd is most welcome, whether experienced or not.
Main band Monday and Thursdays 7.45pm - 9.30pm.
Training Band Tuesdays from 6pm until 9pm.
Free Tuition, Instrument and Uniform provided.
(£20 deposit)
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HISTORY OF BIDEFORDTOWN BAND
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The earliest known reference to the existance of a brass band in Bideford is found in the Bideford Gazette dated March 24th 1853.
This refers to a 'handsome' gold ring presented by members of the band to Mr. Mckensie who was the local professor of music, following his return from LONDON.This particular band appears to have comprised of just a few players of brass instruments who at times gave public recitals in and around the town.
On February 4th 1868 a new amateur brass band was formed from the members of the former Devon Volunteer Rifle band.Several gentlemen in the neighbourhood subscribed liberally towards it. In August 1879 a new bandstand was erected on the river bank at the cost of 80 guineas.
Contesting has always played a large and very important part of the life of Bideford Band and on June 1st 1936 the first ever Brass band contest in Devon was held at the Bideford sports ground.
In 1947 when the South West Brass Band Association was formed,Bideford was one of the founder members and has maintained an unbroken membership to this day.
The late Mr. Sid Way, a past Chairman of the West of England Contesting Committee commenced his playig with the Bideford Town Band at the age of 8years and maintained a lifelong interest in it. He was made a lifemember of the Band.
During July 1998 the Leichhardt Band, from Sidney Australia visited Bideford for 5 days, accompanied by councillors from Sidney, who felt they had been made very welcome.During which time we enjoyed combined concerts with them and a full programme of social events including several trips to various locations.The band first came to Bideford in 1993 and in 1966 several members of the band visited them in Sidney assisting in some civic occasions. Members of both bands have made an enduring friendship thereby fostering international relations.
25.07.07
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