Archived Histories of Brass Bands
These pages are an archive of historical details from existing or defunct brass band websites. This is being maintained to provide a record of this information in the event of a band folding, its website disappearing or other loss of the historical record.
Where possible, and appropriate, the information cached will be updated from time to time - and any corrections or updates are welcome.
Appledore Band
There are records of a Town Band in Appledore a far back as the 1880s and records in the band possession show that from the turn of the century this was a Brass Band. It existed until the 1920s when lack of support and players caused it to be disbanded. The current band is the continuation of a Silver Band formed by Appledore Boys Brigade in 1942. The Band had humble beginnings starting with just four boys from the Boys Brigade who were inspired after they attended a display given by the 88th London Company who were camping in the area. Taught by a Salvation Army Bandmaster Mr Howard Mathews the boys learnt with just two Cornets, a Tenor Horn and a Euphonium. They played along with the Bugle band and quickly added more instruments as fast as they could raise the money to purchase them.
By 1944 the Silver Band was in existence. The Boys Brigade closed down in 1965 but the band continued under the stewardship of Arthur Boyles, one of those original four boys. Arthur was able to convince 30 people to join the band, 18 ex Boys Brigade bandsmen and the rest who were willing to learn! With support from the church council, music theory, fingering was taught in the vicarage once per week and band practice was held in the church school on another.
The Appledore Silver Band as it became know was, and still is very much a community band. It often provides services to the surrounding area playing for church services, parades, carnivals and ship launching! The band has even played for The Prince of Wales on no less than two occasions. Today those same values continue with the newest batch of recruits from the local area learning under guidance from members of the senior band. As they are prepared to first enter the junior band and then join the seniors, the band works hard to ensure that its future existence is secure with a steady stream of new talent.
The band dutifully ensures that it is available for all the key events through-out the calendar and even entertains the tourists with concerts on the quay during summer.