Entertaining the people of Saltash for over 100 years
The first band in Saltash was first formed by public subscription in 1868, as reported in the Royal Cornwall Gazette.The early history of the band is little documented, though there are mentions in local archives of the Saltash Military Volunteers band being active in and around Cornwall until the outbreak of war in 1914.
In 1919, Saltash Town Band was formed at the Working Mens club and again performed regularly until the outbreak of war again in 1939.
During the war, the bands instruments and equipment were stored on a barge in the river Tamar, but were destroyed during a bombing raid on nearby Devonport Dockyard.
During the war, the bands instruments and equipment were stored on a barge in the river Tamar, but were destroyed during a bombing raid on nearby Devonport Dockyard.
It was not until 1974 that moves were made to reform the band. This entailed much fund raising to buy new instruments, music and other equipment.
The first rehearsal of the newly formed band was held on 18th June 1975, which is now regarded as the band's birthday.
For many years, the uniform has been burgundy jackets, with black trim
The first rehearsal of the newly formed band was held on 18th June 1975, which is now regarded as the band's birthday.
For many years, the uniform has been burgundy jackets, with black trim
As with many bands, players were lost to higher education and to other higher ranked local bands.
In 2002 as a consequence of a successful training programme for beginners, a Youth Band. This was followed by the introduction of training and beginners bands the following summer, thus giving opportunities for players of all levels.
In 2002 as a consequence of a successful training programme for beginners, a Youth Band. This was followed by the introduction of training and beginners bands the following summer, thus giving opportunities for players of all levels.
The band continued to perform within the local community and wider afield, competing as far as Preston in Lancashire.
In 2019 the band uniform changed to black mess jackets with burgundy trim. Like most of the UK, the band were unable to rehearse or perform for nearly 2 years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but continued to entertain online with 'virtual' performances and recordings.
Today the youth band has been changed to a training band, to better reflect the wide range of ages of people learning a brass instrument.
In 2019 the band uniform changed to black mess jackets with burgundy trim. Like most of the UK, the band were unable to rehearse or perform for nearly 2 years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but continued to entertain online with 'virtual' performances and recordings.
Today the youth band has been changed to a training band, to better reflect the wide range of ages of people learning a brass instrument.
