The Euphonium & Baritone Homepage
The History of The Hanwell Band
1891 - 1983
Compiled November 2001 by Charley Brighton.
February 6th.
Back in 1983, I compiled and published a book on the history of the Hanwell Band. The copies sold well and soon sold out. For a number of years I have been asked for copies, so I decided to make it available to all on the web.
This has only been completed recently so there are only a few pictures at the moment, more will follow soon, but the text is virtually as it was in the book.
I have also added a lot more contest information that was not previously available, and I am extremely grateful to former bass player and publicity officer, Len Atter for providing a huge amount of information at no cost and to all the other ex members who have shared their past memories. I have most copies of recordings made by the Band and am happy to provide copies for those interested.
Please feel free to copy or download any information from these pages you need, though I would appreciate a return link or mention in any texts.
If you have any information that may assist these pages, I would be glad to hear from you.
Letters Section
Recent letters received from friends and relatives of past Hanwell members.
Ray Norton (1924-2009) passed away in January this year. He played trombone for Hanwell from around 1953-70 and still remained very much involved in the running of the band for many years afterwards. Son of William (who's father was Bandmaster at Bridgwater SA from 1920-55), the family moved to Lewisham in 1919. Ray later became a member of the Lewisham Concert Band prior to joining Hanwell.
He was also a member of the prize winning trombone quartet of George Groom, Tom Evans, Ray & Jack Hill.
"Dear Charlie, last weekend I was at the Royal Northern Festival of Brass. I feel sure it would be of interest to old Hanwellians that Fodens Band directed by Bramwell Tovey concluded their programme by paying a tribute to Ray Norton by playing the hymn tune 'Abide With Me' .There was absolute silence at the end until finally Bram. left the stage.
Bramwell paid tribute to Ray by saying what a wonderful teaching experience it had been to work with Ray at Hanwell. Bram and I had quite a chat about old times together at Hanwell."
Grainger Rock
"I came across your excellent website whilst surfing the net for some information on the late Eric Bravington. In my life of 70+ years, Eric was one of the finest persons I have met; he was not only a brilliant musician but a great human being. Fortunately, I met him several times in the late 60's & early 70,s, either at contests, or when I was able to attend rehearsals at the Red Lion whilst on business trips to London.
As mentioned on your website, he became Music Director in 1959. At that time, the band's contest performances were no more than average & as my old friend Len Atter has stated, the contest results for the next 3 years were brilliant. I like to think that one of the reasons for this was that the 'big end' personnel did not change during this time.
I joined Hanwell in early November 1954 upon completing my National Service In the Royal Marines Band Service. Initially I joined as a trombone player but, to say the least, there was a surfeit of trombonists in the band at that time & accordingly I switched to Bb Bass in early 1955. I stayed in this position until I left the area upon my marriage in late July 1962.
For the majority of my time, I was Assistant Secretary to Reg Bravington whom, as you are aware, was Mr Hanwell for 40+ years. To begin with, Len Bryant was the other Bb Bass player, but he switched to Eb Bass circa 1956/57 when Arthur Buckland found he could no longer attend regular rehearsals due to his ill health. My colleague for the rest of my time with the band was Len Atter with whom I keep in touch every Christmas.
The main purpose of this Email is to provide the site with further information on the band during my 8 happy years with them & to correct some items which I think are questionable or inaccurate. I hope that you will accept these comments in the spirit in which they are made, as I fully appreciate the mammoth task you must have had in collating all this data for placing on the website.
Wherever possible, I have given reasons to support my comments. Fortunately, I still have a pretty good memory & am a lively septuagenarian!!
Well Charley, I think that is all I can contribute on the marvellous Hanwell Band's history. Please feel free to use whatever parts of this diatribe you feel could be of use to your brilliant website. I apologise for the length of this Email, but I had a lot of happy memories to recall & preparing it has kept me out of mischief for a few hours!"
Best Wishes, Mike Edwards
The Hanwell / Keepoint records connection.
"I'm fairly sure I was personally responsible for John Keel's foray into the commercial field. I think I approached him as band publicity officer, but it could have been vice versa.
Hanwell was enjoying quite a purple patch. From my first contest (RAH 1957) to June 1961 (after which we got a string of seconds) in 27 outings we had 14 firsts, 5 seconds, 2 thirds, and 2 fourths - the other 4 results show there must have been adjudicating aberrations even back then!
At contests in the South of England John Keel was normally to be seen just in front of the stage with his single microphone machine, recording every performance for sale to the respective bands. Although accepted as being fully blind he must have had some level of vision as he frequently peered at his equipment literally from two inches away. The recently-surfaced Reading records must surely have been of that type, as we were certainly not aware of them being offered commercially.
John Keel was a big, dare I say shabby, man with an unkept beard. I have two humorous recollections of him. When we decided to talk about a studio recording, he invited Mary and me to his South London home to do so over an evening dinner. We were starving by about 11 pm when the meal finally materialised - the most fantastic cheese souffle, and you know how I am with cheese! Boy, I was hungry when I got home in the early hours, but at least Mrs Keel had driven us there in their recording van.
The other memory is of how he rang me at work between producing the ‘Here's Hanwell’ and ‘Bold as Brass’ records, when he was working on a disc by East Ham Borough (ancestor of Aveley & Newham, and the only London band to come near us at that pre-Hendon time). It was to be of solely Eric Ball compositions, and John wondered if I could think of a suitable title. My off-the-cuff suggestion, since they were our rivals, that it should be called "It's All Ball's" obviously didn't find favour, as it appeared as "East Ham Plays Ball".
Probably just as well!
Obviously through John's connections, our two studio recordings were each made in one-Sunday sessions at the RNIB hall in Great Portland Street. I think there were only two minor splicings, otherwise we played the dots from top to bottom a couple of times and John and Eric Bravington between them chose their preference. On the earlier one we included Quo Vadis (Drake Rimmer), probably still in our minds after beating Cory into second place on it at Gloucester. It's the one Mary claims to have "played" on, having been drummer's mate (passing sticks and so on)
- in those days the idea of six percussionists drowning the brass would have had us rolling on the floor, and we only used a kit-drummer.
The second one is named after the band's signature march, Bold as Brass. Although I can't vouch for it, the story is that this march was offered to us by fellow West Londoner Thomas Chappell as The Hanwellian, just before my time, but the band said "Thanks, but no thanks" until later we decided we'd like it after all, only to find that by then it had been published under its revised name. John's recording, considering his personal disability and the primitive equipment available, is pretty good, but rather harsh and I'd advise any listener to modify the treble sound.
The picture of the band on both covers was taken after a Sunday afternoon job in Bishop's Park, Fulham, by the Thames; if you wonder what we were playing at the time, I'm afraid it was only a sustained chord in an empty enclosure.
Any developments on this saga will be read with interest."
Regards, Len Atter.
"Thanks to a kind friend, I now have mp3 files of two of Hanwell's winning performances, recorded live at the Reading Contest, held in the old Town Hall. They are the 1964 performance of 'Themes from the New World' conducted by Eric Bravington and the 1966 recording of Symphony of Marches conducted by Geoffrey Brand.
Email me if you would like copies of these."
Charley Brighton
"I do enjoy keeping up with the Hanwell history. Although I can be called ancient (79) I still am engaged playing in the Salvation Army with The Central North Divisional Band and am secretary and Flugel with Central North Fellowship Band.
Since being in the North I have played for Warburtons Bakery, a Championship band in Preston, Blackburn and Darwen for three contests and finally with Wingates as Librarian/Secretary only to be taken ill rather quickly and leaving after a short time.
Occasionally I meet ex Hanwell stars, Bramwell Tovey on several occasions and Cec Davies, Steve Riddler, until he left for warmer climates. Good to see you are staying in the news, hope Sue is well. Pleased to say Marion is."
Grainger Rock
"The Mr Williams referred to in the early years was my great grandfather, Alfred Augustus Williams. He lived in Green Lane and then Westminster Road. He worked at Hanwell Asylum for 46 years where he started the Asylum Band. He also had a dance band that played at “The Feathers” in Ealing Broadway around 1900.
I understand that he was a versatile musician, playing cornet, fiddle, double-bass and piano. He died around 1934. My knowledge comes from my father and his aunts, my great aunts – Miss Williams (known as Daisy) who was a school teacher in Hanwell until her retirement in 1948 and the widowed Mrs Hazell (known as Bessie) who was a respected dressmaker. Both remained in the house in Westminster Road after their parents had died.
I have a few biographical details of Alfred. His father served in the Army, a Lancashire regiment and Alfred was born in Australia around 1857. His parents had both died by the time he was 12 and he and his sister were shipped back to England to live with relatives in Hampstead.
Alfred joined the Army at the age of 14 and served as a Bandsman for 5 years. At the age of 19 or 20 he married, left the Army and moved to Hanwell.
I have cuttings from the Middlesex County Times and West London Gazette concerning his retirement and funeral but on neither does the date appear and the dates mentioned don’t necessarily tally. The fact that he was born in Australia and with no knowledge of his father’s name or rank, it is difficult to confirm his date of birth.
I appreciate that this is sketchy but hope it helps put a bit of flesh on the bare fact of his name."
Sue Maiden (nee Crowson)
"Whilst doing some surfing research on my family history, I came across the web site of the Hanwell Silver Band. My father, John Herbert Kitchin, was a member playing the Eb bass between 1930 and about 1954.
His brother Leslie (drummer) and father John Herbert or Herbert John (cornet ?) were also associated with the band, and at one time I believe my grandfather was the librarian for the band. If you have any information, records, recordings of this period, photos etc. I would be absolutely delighted to hear from you. I was really pleased to see a photograph on your website which featured my father and which I did not know existed.
I have several photos including one of a recording session at the BBC and a 78 rpm recording of the 1951 Championship.
As a piece of additional information, I know that in the 1943 film “Major Barbara” my father and some other bandsmen (Hanwell Silver?) were featured in the climax of the Royal Albert Hall Scene".
John Kitchen
"I have always understood that my grandfather played in the Hanwell Silver Band. I also believe he is in the photo for 1921, where he appears to be in the back row in the 5th or middle position. He was born in 1875 so would be 46 at the time.
He served in France during the 1st. W.W. and his name was Henry Gunn (Harry). He lived in Glenfield road, just off Northfields Avenue and would regularly drink in the Foresters, his local.
I have a portrait photo with him wearing a moustache and looking very much like the bandsman in your booklet "The Hanwell band".
He seems to have travelled around the south coast playing and on his return would bring back miniature pots of the Goss type with the town coat of arms. There is one of the British Empire exhibition at Wembley in 1921".
Norman Wearing
"My father, Tom Elsdon, played cornet and was Bandmaster with the band for a number of years in the late forties and early fifties. I have the photograph of him standing beside Eric Bravington that you show on your site. I have many memories of accompanying my father to concerts in parks and halls.
I also remember attending the Royal Albert Hall and Belle View with Dad in the days of the Daily Herald contests. I have a number of concert programmes from that time which might be of interest to you. Dad found the journey from Grove Park, South East London to Hanwell (Boston Manor) for practice too far to travel,
and became conductor and bandmaster of the Bromley (Kent) Home Guard Association Silver Band, which was an easier journey. Again I followed him, by now playing cornet myself, onto bandstands in south east London and Kent.
Tom died, still with Bromley, after a short illness in 1965. He was also teaching brass instruments in a local LCC evening institute. I can tell you that he always remained very proud of his association with the Hanwell Band and followed their fortunes as well as it was possible in those days. I believe he wrote a march called 'Boston Manor" for Hanwell.
I also remember him arranging orchestral scores and laboriously scribbling band parts by hand on to reams of manuscript.
Two names stick in my mind from the photo. George (or Alf ?) Garlick, cornet, and the bearded baritone player whose surname I am sure was Rutter".
David Elsdon
"I am still (at nearly 77) helping the Young Peoples Band at High Wycombe Savation Army. The Hanwell Band came to High Wycombe I note from your book, on June 19th 1982. We were raising money to take our band on a trip to the Ruhr Valley in Germany. After a superb concert the band announced that all expenses would be waived.
The folk will never know what this meant to us and on the kids behalf I shall be forever most grateful. Some of the boys and girls had a lot of difficulty raising their own expenses as of course the trip could not be financed with Army funds. I Hope this is of some interest and thanks for the interesting reading".
Trevor Steventon
Musician Dave Woods writes that his grandfather was a founder member of the band.
The history is divided into 3 sections;
Section 1; 1891 - 1960
Section 2; 1960 - 1978
Section 3; 1978 - 1983
On a certain evening in the Autumn of 1891, a few kindred spirits met at Hanwell to consider the question of starting a public band for the district. After some discussion, it was decided to form a band, to be known as The Hanwell Town Band, providing the necessary funds to purchase instruments etc., could be raised. After deciding to appeal to the public for subscriptions for this purpose, the next important matter was the question of a practice room.
From THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY TIMES, Saturday, 7th May, 1892.
"Formation of a Band - A movement has been set on foot to form a brass or brass and reed band in Hanwell. Two Meetings have been held and a good committee has been elected, comprising amongst others, Mr. Williams (bandmaster of the Asylum band), Messrs. Record, Marks, Benn, Cooper, and W. Woods (Hon. Sec. and Treasurer).
The senior band (mainly professional) will be out in the course of a week or two. There is also a reserve band of about sixteen members. An appeal is being sent out to the gentry and traders for help to buy the instruments."
First Conductor, Alfred Augustus Williams.
His father served in the Army, a Lancashire regiment and Alfred was born in Australia around 1857. His parents had both died by the time he was 12 and he and his sister were shipped back to England to live with relatives in Hampstead.
Alfred joined the Army at the age of 14 and served as a Bandsman for 5 years. At the age of 19 or 20 he married, left the Army and moved to Hanwell.
He lived in Green Lane and then Westminster Road. He worked at Hanwell Asylum for 46 years where he started the Asylum Band. He also had a dance band that played at “The Feathers” in Ealing Broadway around 1900.
He was a versatile musician, playing cornet, fiddle, double-bass and piano. He died around 1934.
First Bandroom.
The landlord of The Viaduct Inn was at that time Mr. Wallis, and he very kindly placed a room at the disposal of the Band in which to meet for weekly practices. So cordial were relations with the Band that the headquarters of the Band remained there for many years, the Band being popular with numerous succeeding proprietors of The Viaduct Inn.
First Appearance.
After a lot of hard work on the part of the promoters, and owing to a liberal response to the appeal for funds, a number of instruments were purchased and a start was made, under the conductorship of Mr. Williams. Early in 1892 the Band made its first public appearance in Hanwell Broadway.
Towards the end of 1892 the Band secured the services of Mr. W. Woods, a gentleman who possessed knowledge of the method of contesting Bands in the North of England. The members of the Band grew more ambitious with a view to competing for prizes against other Bands. Mr. Woods went on to conduct the Band until his death in 1904.
From THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY TIMES, Saturday, 4th March, 1893.
"The Town Band under the conductorship of Mr. W. Woods attended the evening service at the Union Church on Sunday and played at intervals during the service the following selections:
"O look for Comfort",
"Gloria" from Mozart's No.2 Mass
"Hallelujah Chorus " from Handel's "Messiah".
Annual Report 1897 Receipts: Total £33 12s ld.
Expenditure:
Instruments £6.18s. 0d
Repairs £2. 3s. 6d
Room Hire £2. 0s. 0d
Uniforms £4. l0s. 6d
Music £4. 12s. 3d
Postage, Printing, £2. 14s. 9d
Collector £1.l0s.0d
Paid to members £8.19s.6d
Totals £33.8s.6d
Cash in Hand 4s.5d
Total £33.12s.1d
Ladies and Gentlemen, the members of the Hanwell Town Band beg to return their sincere thanks for the residents of Hanwell for their patronage and support so kindly granted to them and, in accordance with their annual customs, very respectfully solicit the favour of their subscriptions for the year 1898.
Assuring them of their best endeavours in the future as in the past,
I beg to remain, yours respectfully,
J. W. Clamp, Hon. Sec. 28 Rosebank Road, Hanwell.
N.B Subscriptions will be thankfully received and acknowledged by the Secretary.
The 1900s.
The Hanwell Band outside the Viaduct Inn, Hanwell, 1903.
The above picture (although not very clear) prompted a response from Michael Redstone who's grandfather Frederick Percy Gladman played in Hanwell from 1900 to 1910 (aged 14 to 24).
He lived at 28 St. Andrews Road before moving to Teddington. At the start of the 1914/18 War he would stand on street corners with his cornet and summon up men to come and fight for King & Country. He later became a Regimental Sargeant Major.
Frederick can be seen in the picture behind the conductor, holding a tenor horn, and would have been 17 years old.
He gave his first public performance aged 6 when he played to the Women's Institute in 1892, the very year Hanwell came into being. Frederick's father, Frederick James Gladman, worked at Hanwell Asylum and this may well suggest a link to Mr. Williams, the original bandmaster.
The banding tradition continues in Michael's family, his son-in-law Stephen Popham is the Assistant Bandsmaster of the Swinton Band in North Yorkshire. His daughter Tracey was the Principal Cornet for many years and his son Andrew has joined the Hitchin Band. Lastly, his granddaughter Alice Tasane (aged 11) plays the cornet for Thirsk Royal British Legion Band.
Existing Uniforms; Black, Black and Gold Braid, White Cross Belts. Total Cost: £21 18s 7d.
Balance Sheet, 1902.
The sum of 5s. has kindly been presented to the Band by A. S. Sharp, Esq. to cover the deficit of 4s.1d. leaving a balance of 1d.
Name Change.
At some time in 1903, the Band were successful in winning a competition and the name was changed to The Hanwell Prize Band.
Grand Concert.
Wednesday, 5th July, 1905.
At the London United Electric Tramways Club & Institute,
Park Hall, Hanwell, 7.3Opm.
Tickets 2/-, 1/- and 6d.
Two minutes walk from regular Electric Car services.
Solo & Quartet Contest.
From THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY TIMES, Saturday, 3rd December, 1910.
"The quartet party from the Hanwell Town Prize Band has worthily upheld the reputation recently gained at Yiewsley where it was awarded first prize and three medals for soloists. Under the able guidance of its esteemed conductor Mr. E. Brophy it succeeded in gaining second prize at the Enfield Quartet Contest."
Silver Prize Win.
Tottenham Contest, 1913, First Prize. Name changed to Hanwell Silver Prize Band.
The War Years.
During the War, most of the bandsmen joined the forces and two members, Mr. Maurice Parkin and Mr. Cyril Butler, never returned.
The Re-start.
At the end of 1918 steps were taken to re-start the Band. It was not an easy job, for instruments had become scattered and uniforms decayed, and there seemed little prospect of obtaining new ones.
Reg Bravington.
It was the following year that Reg Bravington took charge of the Band. There was an enthusiastic body of members. For uniforms they bought the remains of those worn by the Ealing Volunteers and had them dyed. The lot cost £5.
Elthorne Band Contest.
The first decisive step which brought the band back into the public eye was taken in 1919 when a band festival was held in order to raise funds for a new set of instruments. The Hanwell Urban Council granted the use of Elthorne Park, and the festival was a great financial and musical success. Sufficient profit was made to pay the first instalment on a new set of silverplated instruments.
The festival ran for many years and attracted bands like Luton Red Cross, Callender's Cables and consisted of four sections with a massed bands concert. Sometimes the event was finished by candlelight due to huge entries in every section.
The organisation of the annual festival, the winter bazaars, dances, whist drives and the formation of the Band Patrons Guild made the band one of the most envied combinations in the South of England.
Conductors.
Sufficient funds were raised to pay the conductor, Mr. Willesden and under his conductorship the band entered nine contests in 1922. In the following year Mr. Willie Greenwood was appointed conductor and in 1924 two prizes were secured at Uxbridge and Reigate contests.
It was under Mr. Greenwood's baton that the band secured the first of its countless London & Home Counties Championships.
Promotion.
In 1927 the band were recognised as Championship Section by all contesting councils.
J.C. Dyson.
A further change of conductor was made in 1929. It was felt that a regular conductor should be engaged instead of the occasional visits by Mr. Greenwood. Sixty men from all over the country applied for the position. Mr. J. C. Dyson was chosen.
Mr. Dyson, who came from Clackheaton, was well known as a teacher to 14 north country bands, including Black Dyke Mills and Wingates Temperance. In addition he was cornet soloist with these and a trumpeter with the Huddersfield Choral Society, Leeds Symphony Orchestra and The Halle Orchestra.
A cartoon in the local press commented on his being left handed, saying the right would be too busy collecting awards. When he arrived at Hanwell the committee gave him a free hand in the musical running of the band and it quickly became one of the foremost Bands in the country.
1930.
From THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY TIMES, 1930.
"Hanwell Band Heard Abroad"
"An interesting letter has reached the Hanwell Prize Band from Adjutant F. H. Francis, superintendent of the Salvation Army's Leper Hospital in Cochin State, South India. Adjutant Francis writes to say that he picked up the Band's broadcast on 19th May and how it 'cheered up an isolated band enthusiast.'
Commenting on the broadcast he says: 'A feature was the tone of the band and it is a job to say which section was best, though the Trombone's colour, tone and precision were great."'
From the MUSICAL PROGRESS.
"Hanwell's Trip to Whitstable"
"We have just received an illustrated booklet from Whitstable containing a programme of music recently rendered by the Hanwell Silver Band under the direction of Mr. J. C. Dyson. Our local correspondent goes on to say, 'Among the many fine items given by the Band and the various soloists, the Bombardon Solo 'Cyclops' played by Mr. Jack Wilkinson, will long be remembered as a masterly performance
We were also pleased to hear of Hanwell's success at Headington Contest where they beat the renowned Luton Red Cross Band. This is a distinct feather in their cap and should prove a big stimulant for the Crystal Palace Contest."
Elthorne Contest.
From THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY TIMES, Saturday, 7th June, 1930.
"In announcing the result of the adjudication of the first division, Mr. Denis Wright said that he had a feeling that the conductors of some of the competing bands had been studying the gramophone record of Cyril Jenkin's Victory.
In that case they were liable to fall into great error in regard to speed, because when a work was played for the gramophone it had often to be mutilated in order to get it on the record. Callenders Cable Works Band were victors on that occasion.
1931
The first Annual Band Dinner was held on 12th April, 1931 at the Red Lion Hotel, Hanwell.
Contests.
8 First Prizes, 6 Second Prizes, 4 Third Prizes, 19 contests entered.
1932.
5 First prizes, 2 Second Prizes, 2 Third Prizes, 6 special awards, 2 medals for soloists, 10 contests entered.
1933.
The Hanwell Band made its first appearance at Belle Vue Contest in Manchester, leaving by train from Euston Station at 8.30am and connecting with a bus to the Kings Hall. The party from Hanwell was 60 strong and arrived back at 5a.m. on the following morning.
Concert.
From THE BRITISH BANDSMAN, 2nd September, 1933.
"The Hanwell Band were in excellent form last Sunday in the Victoria Embankment Gardens. During the Berlioz Selection, the bandstand lights went out, but the band continued to play notwithstanding. The lights were ultimately rectified."
B.B.C.
From THE BRITISH BANDSMAN, 6th May, 1933.
"Hanwell Band attended at Broadcasting House on 23rd April for the audition arranged through the association for the first prize winners at Walthamstow contest.
The items selected were "Egmont" and "Coriolanus", and the band were highly complimented by the official in charge, and it is hoped that we may hear the band 'over the air' once more.
Surely no reasonable excuse can be found for continuing the 'no change' policy of the BBC regarding brass bands from the London Station.
1934. Crystal Palace Contest
The Band draw No.1 and are on stage waiting to start as two players arrive by taxi. The Band went on to achieve 8th placing.
Elthorne Contest.
Bands included Callender's Cable Works, Luton Red Cross and Munn and Feltons, conducted by Harry Mortimer.
1935. Contests.
Hanwell Band win the London & Home Counties Championship for the 9th time in succession
Concerts.
Hanwell are the first band to appear on the West End stage with two concerts at the Prince of Wales Theatre, 29th December, 1935.
Soloists included Eric Bravington "Boy Wonder" on the Post Horn with 8 Championships to his credit. Arthur East, Principal Cornet, with over 50 Championship wins and A. W. Morby, Euphonium Champion.
The Hanwell Band, conductor J.C. Dyson on stage as the first brass band to play in a West End Theatre, the Prince of Wales.
They gave two performances on December 29th. 1935.
Programme;
March, The Contemptibles
Overture, Lustpiel
Cornet Duet, Ida & Dot
soloists Dennis Moran & Eric Bravington
Selection, Bizet
Novelty, The Elephant's Parade
Selection, Sweethearts of Yesterday.
Interval
March, Ballerina
Euphonium solo, My Hearts Delight
(encore, Song of Songs)
Fantasia, A Hunting Scene
Novelty, The Killies Courtship
Selection, Gracie Fields Songs.
Elthorne Contest.
John Henry Iles is engaged to conduct the massed bands following the contest in Elthorne Park.
Film.
The Band are engaged in the production of "Look Up and Laugh" with Gracie Fields conducting the Band. Made at Ealing Studios, 19th August, 1935.
Largest Audience.
The Hanwell Band play before an audience of 40,000 for two and a half hours prior to the football match between Brentford and Arsenal at Griffin Park.
N.B. This was a local newspaper report, the record attendance at Griffin Park is said to have been 38,678 in a match versus Leicester City, later in 1949.
1936. Solo & Quartet Contest.
St. Anne's Hall, Hanwell. 105 soloists, 15 quartets.
1st. Hanwell 'A' (Beethoven)
2nd. Spring Gardens Reading (Poliuto)
3rd. Hanwell 'B' (Poliuto)
Championship Air Varie.
1st. Arthur East, Cornet Hanwell
2nd. A. W. Morby, Euphonium Hanwell
3rd. Ed. Loton, Euphonium Enfield
4th. Eric Bravington, Cornet Hanwell
Solo & Quartet Champions; left to right;
W. Southwood, C. Hammond, W. Morby, D. Moran & A. East.
Band Contests.
Leicester 3rd. £4
Paddington 2nd. £15
Romford 4th. £5
Fairford 3rd. £10
Bugle 3rd. £14
Orpington 3rd. £3
1937.
Leicester 1st. £20
Paddington 3rd. £3
Fairford 1st. £25
1938.
Leicester 3rd. £10
Paddington 1st. £7
Hayes 1st. £12
Romford 2nd. £12
Fairford 1st. £25
Bugle 4th. £8
Yiewsley 1st. £12
Walthamstow 1st. £15
East Ham 1st. £7
1939.
Leicester 2nd. £15
Paddington 3rd, £1.10.0d
Hayes 3rd. £5
Romford 1st. £15
Fairford 2nd. £15
Walthamstow 1st. £15
Barking 1st. £8
Contests.
From THE DAILY HERALD, Thursday, 2nd September, 1937;
"Hanwell's performance at Bounds Green in winning six of the seven Championship trophies is an outstanding achievement. Winners of the Air Varie, Eric Bravington, and the Junior and Senior Slow Melody, Fred Lack are both products of Hanwell's Junior Band.
Gilbert Hall, Hanwell's Solo Horn, had an enjoyable day. He and his three -boys competed, Gilbert being 4th in the Air Varie and playing in the winning quartet, whilst Albert Hall was second in the under 18 and under 14 years sections.
George Turner and Eric Bravington worked hard in coaching the contestants."
Gilbert Hall went on to play Solo Horn with the quartet in the Championships of Great Britain and his son Albert became one of the leading session trumpet players.
1940's.
New photographs from this era supplied by John Kitchen.
Gradually as a result of the war, many band contests ceased, many never restarted. With the movement of service men all over the country, Hanwell was successful in obtaining over 20 musicians whilst many of its own were posted elsewhere. Said Reg Bravington at the time: "It may be that when the war is over we will have two Hanwell Bands !"
Contests.
The 1940's saw the Band achieve great honours in National contesting on a scale that was remarkable for a subscription band.
October 19th. 1946, National Finals; 4th.
playing Oliver Cromwell, Gheel.
1947;
April 5th. Hammersmith, 1st. playing Excerpts from Tchaikovsky
April 26th. Area Contest, 4th. playing Akhnanton, Ball
June 14th. Hinckley, unplaced, playing Liszt's Works.
July 12th. Brighton, 4th. playing A Downland Suite, Ireland
December 6th. Bletchley, 1st. playing Coriolanus, Jenkins
Quartet Champions 1945-46.
At the first Solo & Quartet Championships of Great Britain in Cowley, Oxford, the A quartet won first prize, repeating the success in the following year.
Area Contests.
With the formation of the National Brass Band Championships and its Area Qualifying Rounds, the Hanwell Band were quick to make their mark as finalists.
In 1945 they were second only to the famous Luton Band with Fred Mortimer, and the following year they were first, with Luton having to be content with 4th placing. Hanwell were conducted on both these occasions by George Turner.
BY ROYAL COMMAND.
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY formally opens the gates of the Garden of Remembrance at St. James's Church, Piccadilly, 2.45 pm, 12th May, 1946 following the dedication by the Rt. Rev. The Lord Bishop of London.
Fanfare by the Trumpeters of His Majesty's Lifeguards.
Programme of music by the Hanwell Silver Band,
guest conductor: Frank Wright.
Overture from "The Messiah" Handel
Solemn Melody, Walford Davies
Lift up your Heads (Messiah) Handel.
Contests, 1948.
February 7th. Area Contest, unplaced, playing Fantasia in F
March 13th. Hammersmith, unplaced, playing Beethoven's Works
June 12th. Gravesend, 1st. playing Carmen
July 10th. Brighton, unplaced, playing Carmen
August 21st. Walthamstow, 1st. playing Carmen
Contests; 1949.March 19th. Hammersmith, 3rd. playing Egmont, Beethoven
April 9th. Area Contest, 4th. playing Morning Rhapsody, Ball
May 7th. Clacton, 1st. playing Symphony in C, Schubert
June 11th. Gravesend, 1st. playing Symphony in C, Schubert
June 25th. Romford, 1st. playing Symphony in C, Schubert
August 6th. Southsea, 2nd. playing Symphony in C, Schubert
September 17th. Walthamstow, 1st. playing Les Preludes, Liszt
December 3rd. Bletchley, 1st. playing Egmont, Beethoven
The 1950's.
The appointment of George Thompson as Musical Director was to bring the Band its greatest success to this date, that of runners-up in the Daily Herald Brass Band Championships at the Royal Albert Hall, one point behind the mighty Fodens Motor Works Band.
Festival Concert.
As Area Champions they also joined 8 other bands in the massed bands festival concert conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargeant and Harry Mortimer.
Music.
For the qualifying rounds the test piece was Henry Geehl's Festival Overture and Herbert Howell's Pageantry was chosen as a suitable test for the finals.
Contests.
February 25th. Area Contest, 1st. playing Festival Overture, Gheel
April 4th. Leicester, 3rd. playing Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky
June 3rd. Hayes, 1st playing Moorside Suite, Holst
June 24th. Romford 1st. playing Academic Festival Overture, Brahms
July 15th. Brighton, 2nd. playing Labour & Love, Fletcher
August 26th. Walthamstow, 1st. playing Morning Rhapsody, Ball
October 28th. National Finals, 2nd. playing Pageantry, Howells
December 2nd. Bletchley, 1st. playing Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky
1951, Contests.
March 17th. Hammersmith, 1st. playing Comedy Overture, Ireland
March 26th. Leicester, 4th. playing Othello, Rimmer
April 21st. Area Contest, 2nd. playing Atlantic, Wright
June 16th. Bournemouth, unplaced, playing Severn Suite, Elgar
July 14th. Brighton, 1st. playing Festival Overture, Gheel
October 27th. National Finals, unplaced, playing Epic Symphony, Fletcher
Annual Dinner.
The Cuckoo Rooms, Park Hotel, Hanwell. Tuesday, 3rd April, 1951.
MENU
Tomato Soup
Fillets of Plaice
Roast Turkey & Seasoning
Roast & Cream Potatoes
Vegetables
Ice Cream Gateau Biscuits & Coffee
Entertainment: Syd Sadler's Dance Band, Joyce Hewitt and Gordon Parr, Will Tedder
Celebrating Principal Honours.
17 times Champions London & Home Counties Band Association.
National Finals 1946 4th
National Finals 1950 2nd
Southern Area Champions 1946, 1950
Winners;
Fairford 6 times,
Romford 6 times,
East Ham 6 times,
Walthamstow 11 times,
Erith 3 times,
Bletchley 3 times
Oxford 3 times,
Egham 3 times,
High Wycombe 3 times.
Quartet Championships of Great Britain
Cornet Championships, Southern Area, Eric Bravington, twice.
L& H.C. Solo Champions:
A.East
A.Morby
E.Bravington
V. Saywell
S. Willis
T. Collins
F.Lack
G. Slatter
A. Wilkinson.
Total Prizes since 1920:
218 Prizes
138 First Prize Awards
146 Trophies
Cash = £2169
Toasts: THE BAND, THE LADIES, THE SUPPORTERS
1952, Contests.
April 5th. Area Contest, 3rd. playing Resurgam, Ball
July 7th. Brighton, 1st. playing Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
October 4th. Oxford, 1st. playing Coriolanus, Jenkins
October 11th. Croydon, 1st. playing Festival Overture, Gheel
1953, Contests.
March 7th. Hammersmith, 2nd. playing Rhapsody In Brass, Goffin
March 28th. Area Contest, 1st. playing Rhapsody In Brass, Goffin
June 13th. Brighton, 1st. playing Rhapsody In Brass, Goffin
June 27th. Romford, 1st. playing Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky
August 11th. Fairford, 1st. playing Coriolanus, Jenkins
September 5th. Belle Vue, unplaced, playing the Three Musketeers, Hespe
Change of Conductor.
From THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY TIMES, 5th October, 1953.
"With only a few weeks to go before Hanwell Silver bandsmen contest the biggest brass band championship of the year, their regular conductor has had to resign. Into the breach to take the rehearsals and conduct the title performance of Diadem of Gold at the Empress Hall, Earl's Court, has stepped Honorary Conductor Eric A. Bravington.
Eric began his career as a cornet player with Hanwell when he was only 8, he is now Principal Trumpet with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Band will be televised for the first time on Saturday, 17th October with two half hour sessions being screened direct from the Festival. This is the fifth time since the war that Hanwell have qualified for the National Finals."
Contests.
October 17th. National Finals, unplaced, playing Diadem of Gold, Bailey
December 5th. Bletchley, 1st. playing Acdemic Festival Overture, Brahms
1954, Contests.
March 6th. Hammersmith, 2nd. playing Clive of India, Holbrook
April 3rd. Area Contest, 4th. playing Clive of India, Holbrook
June 12th. Brighton, 5th. playing Clive of India, Holbrook
August 10th. Fairford, 1st. playing Labour & Love, Fletcher
September 18th. Bletchley, 4th. playing Oberon, Weber
November 20th. Reading, unplaced, playing The Three Musketers, Hespe
Fame & Glory.
Many of the Hanwell bandsmen became famous in the musical world outside brass bands, including Arthur Wilkinson, one of the foremost arrangers of radio and television, Stanley Brown, Trombone of the Canadian Air Force Band and ex Philharmonia Orchestra, Roland Dyson and Norman Burgess (who's father played in Hanwell), Sadlers Wells Orchestra, Arthur Tilley, RAF Central Band, and Victor Saywell, soloist with H.M. Scots Guards Band.
During the years 1954 - 1957, Denzil Stephens plays with Hanwell on euphonium whilst based at R.A.F. Uxbridge. His introduction comes via George Thompson whom he played under with Odhams Press Band earlier. Denzil is also allowed to conduct the band whilst training.
An undated (though around this era) and unknown location (possibly Fairford ?) photograph donated by John Brancker, who's father Jack, was percussionist with the band.
1955, Contests.
March 5th. Hammersmith, 2nd. playing Severn Suite, Elgar
June 26th. Romford, 2nd. playing Clive of India, Holbrook
July 9th. Fairford, 3rd. playing The Severn Suite, Elgar (the last contest George Thompson conducts before leaving for Grimethorpe)
July 16th. Brighton, 4th. playing The Severn Suite, Elgar
November 19th. Reading, unplaced, playing Tournament For Brass, Ball
Film.
The Band featured in the Ealing Film: "Value for Money" with Diana Dors. (Video copy available)
The band recorded their sections of the film in Batley, Yorkshire, over a weekend in January 1955.
Membership.
Principal Cornet Alan Smith leaves Hanwell after three years as soloist to join the Munn & Feltons Band of Kettering, as Principal Cornet.
Photograph thought to be taken at probably the 1957 Area contest at the Central Hall, Westminster.
Left to right are; Albert Osborne, principal cornet, 2 unknown,Billy Keene, solo cornet, Roy Beesley, tenor horn, George Lee, flugel horn, unknown cornet, Johnny Luckett, solo euphonium, (signing), Frank Bing & Laurie Butland, tenor horns,
Dorothy Kilvington, solo cornet, next row Cec Davies, euphonium, Tommy Evans, trombone, 2 unknown cornets, Jack Hill, bass trombone, .
The final row is Ray Norton & George Groom, trombones, Tommy Collins, E flat bass, Johnny DuBois, 1st. baritone & Len Bryant, E flat bass.
Players missing in the picture would have been Len Atter, Mike Edwards, B flat basses & Arthur Buckland, 2nd. baritone.
1956, Contests.
April 7th. Area Contest, unplaced, playing Orion, Bantock
June 9th. Brighton, unplaced, playing Orion, Bantock
November 24th. Reading, 1st. playing Resurgam, Ball
Hanwell playing at the Earls Court Radio Show in either late 1956 or early 1957. The programme was called 'The Country Comes to Town' and was basically an indoor agricultural show.
The players visible are;
David Noad, soprano, Charlie Leadbetter, principal cornet, Terry Dewhurst, solo cornet, Percy Pitkin & Roy Beesley, tenor horns, Frank Bing, baritone, Johnny Luckett, solo euphonium, George Groom & Tommy Evans, trombones, Mike Edwards & Len Bryant (almost seen) on B flat basses.
1957, Contests.
February 24th. Islington, 2nd. playing Beethoven's 9th. Symphony
April 13th. Area Contest, 3rd. playing Beethoven's 9th. Symphony
June 8th. Brighton, unplaced, playing Beethoven's 9th. Symphony
October 26th. National Finals, 13th. playing Variations, Vaughan Williams
1958, Contests.
February 9th. 1st. playing Moor of Venice, Alwyn
March 18th. Area Contest, 3rd. playing Moor of Venice, Alwyn
April 19th. Tunbridge Wells, 2nd. playing Moor Of Venice, Alwyn
June 7th. Brighton, 2nd. playing Moor Of Venice, Alwyn
July 5th. Weymouth, 1st. playing Sunset Rhapsody, Ball
November 22nd. Reading, 4th. playing Moor of Venice, Alwyn
( recording available)
1959, Contests.
April 11th. Area Contest, unplaced, playing Wuthering Heights, Raynor
May 18th. Hove, 1st. playing Labour & Love, Fletcher
May 23rd. Tunbridge Wells, 1st. playing Labour & Love, Fletcher
June 13th. Brighton, unplaced, playing Wuthering Heights, Raynor
June 27th. Romford, 1st. playing Wuthering Heights, Raynor
July 4th. Weymouth, 1st. playing Labour & Love, Fletcher
November 21st. Reading, 1st. playing Wuthering Heights, Raynor ( recording available)
Membership.
In September 1959 a young David James joins Hanwell on the front row whilst Principal Cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. He is awarded a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music.
Appointment.
In 1959 Eric Bravington is appointed Musical Director on a permanent basis. Two years later he retires from playing to take on the post of Managing Director of the L.P.O.
Hanwell in Trafalgar Square.
Len Atter remembers;
"Hanwell was engaged to play at a British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection rally in Trafalgar Square in 1959, hence the picture of us at the base of Nelson's Column.
The most famous celebrity was publicised to be Jayne Mansfield, but she didn't show. I think that must have been the first engagement, but we also did two Sunday afternoon concerts for that organisation at the Richmond Theatre,
where we supported, or were supported by, several showbiz stars of the day, though the only name I now recall was Elsie Randolph. One of the shows included a short item, the BUAV Dog Rescue March, written by their President's pianist wife
(initial R - I believe for Rona), which was arranged for us at only a day or two's notice by our principal cornet Bert Osborn. We must have impressed favourably because the Association's President, Randolph Wren, offered that they should link more permanently and sponsor the band.
We rejected the approach simply, as I understood it, because our Committee couldn't really see Hanwell Band on the contest stage or in the broadcasting studio as the Band of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection! Randolph clearly wasn't affronted by rejection, however, as he subsequently was Band President for some years."
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