Mr William Raylor (bandmaster), lived at Low Hall Hunmanby for 60 years. Mr Raylor was the bandmaster for 68 years. He died in 1956 at the age of 92! Hunmanby village band existed before 1880. William Garbutt a member of the band cycled from Fordon where he worked to his home at Hunmanby to wash and change; cycled to Scarborough to play with the band, and then cycled back to Hunmanby afterwards. After the 1914 war Sir Dennis Bayley supplied new instruments and uniforms for 'The Dennis Bayley Hunmanby Silver Band'. In 1921, uniting with Hunmanby Brass Band, led by Mr Fred Lawty, they were in popular demand.The big event of the year was the Fancy Dress and Whist Drive in the council school. Prizes included whole hams and quarter tons of coal, all for an admission price of half crown {12½p} Refresments were provided by the bandsmen's families.

1920's

It is known that brass bands have been in existence in Hunmanby since the 1800's and prior to the formation of the present band there were thought to have been two bands in the village. The Hunmanby Silver Band was formed in
1919
when Sir Dennis Bayley, a prominent industrialist and at the time, President of the village brass band and Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, advised Mr W. Raylor, the then
bandmaster, that he would purchase a full set of new instruments and uniforms for the band if they would adopt the name of The Dennis Bayley Hunmanby Silver Band. This offer was understandably
accepted. The band continued until 1958 when it was obligated to cease operation due to the pressures of compulsory army conscription, the instruments being leased to the Royal Air Force Scarborough band. At the termination of the lease in 1978 , the instruments were retrieved and the band reformed in the November of that year and amalgamated with the remnants of the Filey Silver Band who had similarly folded in the 1960's.
The name of the band was changed to 'The Dennis Bayley Hunmanby and District Silver Band' to reflect the amalgamation. At the time the band needed new uniforms and these were provided by 'Sir Billie Butlin' who provided the band with a set of Redcoat blazers. Butlins holiday camp (Filey) was only a short distance down the road. As these redcoat blazers wore out they were replaced by bright red sweaters which immediately identified them on public engagements.
In 2019 the
band purchased a set
of
black blazers and new ties to commemorate the bands centenary.

Unfortunately nothing exists in the bands archives for the 1930's We move on to the late 1940's




Hunmanby Carnival 1951 marching up Castle Hill (Pre uniform days)
1951/2
Marching down Bridlington Street Hunmanby (Note the comparative youth of the band). Glynne seems to think that the uniform jackets were a plum colour. Glynne Brown 3rd row right-hand side on cornet.

In 1958 the band was disbanded due to national service and the village was without its band for more than 20 years.





This is a recording that I made 46 years ago. The tape recorder and magnetic tapes have been in my loft for 36 years. I had no idea if the recorder still worked or if the magnetic tapes had deteriorated; fortunately, they had survived. I have managed to extract two pieces, the march Rovers Return and the hymn Blaenwern, from the concert we gave that evening. This was the first time the band had been heard in the village since the late 50s. We had only been together a few months. PS. Tuning and intonation are a little suspect!!!
But we have improved considerably since this recording.

I have tried to remember as many names as possible. There are only two members in this photo still playing in the band
Left to right: Mark Cowton, Stuart Outram, Nigel Barker, Glynne Brown, Doug Hudson, Martin? , Alex Roper, Unknown, Graham Mallory, Ernie Newlove, Percy Robinson, Howard Newlove, Graham Jowett? , Bernard Mallory (Conductor), Right to left: Colin Hall, Mick Milner, Tony Simpson, Derek Darling, Hazel McWann, Garry Batten, Front Row Left to Right: Billy Lane, George Lane, Unknown, Jayne Horsley, Unknown. Kneeling: Richard Milner, Lynton Batten.
1980
Band practice is in the youth center, down the bowling green lane. We wore the uniforms ( Jackets donated by Messers Butlins, Filey) for photographic purposes. Conductor Mr Billy Lane.



I had no idea that this photo was being taken. I think the band was playing at Flamborough Golf Club in 1981. I'm wearing one of the original red coat blazers from Messers Butlins, Filey.
The Euphonium I'm playing, we recently purchased for £1,200 as stated in the above article. This was the first new instrument we purchased after a lot of fundraising events.
It was a Sovereign, an instrument that I played on for 38 years, it served me well, P.S. I still have that red coat jacket, somewhere up in my loft, doubt it will fit me now though !!!!
1981
Presentation from Cllr. Bob Cherry to Mr Raylor, son of the late William Raylor. Band Master for 68 years. The inscription on the rose bowl reads - The Raylor perpetual challenge trophy, presented by the family of the late William Weatherill Raylor, bandmaster 1880-1948 in remembrance.
1981/82 - playing at Reighton Sands Holiday Village, the gentleman in civvies, I believe, was playing in the entertainment dance band for the season and asked if he could have a blow with us. Maybe not the best stance for playing a brass instrument but WOW! What a player.
Mr and Mrs Newlove and Howard Newlove 1982

I have found a very badly faded program from 1982, I can't make out what the number 7 is, if anyone has any ideas, please get in touch.

After our redcoat jackets wore out we purchased some new red jumpers. We held a competition amongst the local school children to design an emblem to use on them, this was the winning design. The symbol of Sir Dennis Bayley, the last Lord at Hunmanby Hall, was the stag, representing the village's hunting traditions.
The band playing for the 900th Anniversary of All Saints Church, Conductor Charlie Jones
Bernard Mallory soloing on trombone

Fred Muscroft, when he was playing in Yorkshire Imperial Metals, a very talanted musician
In 1992, I became the band's Chairman. It was in the same year I invited Fred to one of our rehearsals and asked him if he would like to become our conductor, and he said he would be "delighted to". Fred lived in Bridlington, about 10 miles down the coast from Hunmanby. Fred had many tails to tell about his long musical career, I think we spent as much time listening to him as we spent rehearsing; oh well, that was Fred. We used to practice some of Fred's arrangements that he brought with him; some were a little taxing at times, but we persevered. Happy days.

Sunday morning reheasal Conductor Fred Muscroft
Cayton Gala 1992 - on flugel is Garry Batten. Garry conducted us a number of times at our Grand Hotel concerts in Scarborough.

1992 Conductor Fred Muscroft
Sewerby Park 1995 Conductor Fred Muscroft. Barry (Chaz) McGauly principal cornet later took over as conductor after Fred retired.
1993. Playing in Crescent Gardens Filey, before the bandstand was erected.
PS. A marquee wasn't always provided bands often played out in the open.



Cayton Gala- Conductor Fred Muscroft date unknown
Front row cornets, 3rd man down is George Bradley. (The George Bradley Big Band)
I believe George moved up from London and lived in Hunmanby. George played at a lot of our `gigs` as he used to call them.
Long-serving helper with the band concerts in the sun lounge, Filey is Jack Quick. Pictured left to right is the oldest member of the Band Joe Foster with his Bb Bass, Mayor's Consort Owen Coultas with Mayor Freda Coultas, Band Master Barry McGauley, Jack Quick, and youngest band member Michael Bennett aged 12.
Playing in Filey Sun Lounge ( it was a lovely little venue, alas no more)
The band playing at the Grand Hotel Scarborough

Fred and Graham reunited 2001/2002
Two fine musicians.
I took this photo of the late Fred Muscroft and Graham Walker playing in the Bridlington Brass Ensemble, a band that I was a founder member of. Fred had just recently retired from conducting the Hunmanby band. Fred had been living in Bridlington for several years and Graham retired and settled in Filey only recently. Fred had asked Graham if he would like to help us out at a concert. I believe that this was the first time that Fred and Graham had played alongside each other since their time together in the Yorkshire Imperial Metals Band in the 70s. Little did I know when I took this photo that Graham would become our conductor 12/13 years later. Both Graham and his wife, Margaret, played in the 10-piece on several occasions.

25th Anniversary 1979-2004 in the picture Glynne Brown/ the late Doug Hudson/ Howard Newlove (3 founder members)
25th Anniversary. Having a natter, and looking at old photos.
2009 -We played Our Specially Commissioned March: "Hunmanby" by Duncan Wilson, Mr. Wilson's parents were friends of the Late Ernie Marsden, the band's conductor at this time.
This recording was 2014
2012
Presentation to the late Ernie Marsden on his retirement as conductor of the band, a big thank you from the late Rod Court ( band chairman)
1919-2019
A HUNDRED YEARS by Anne Pilgrim Green

Illustration by Anne Pilgrim Green
February 2022

Playing in Glen Gardens Filey June 29th 2019 ( VIDEO ) )
Christmas 2018
Playing outside Boyes store Scarborough
Burton Fleming 20/5/08
I hope you have enjoyed our trip down memory lane, archives have been a little thin on the ground. My thanks go to Glynne, Sue, and Anne for their contributions. I would also like to thank my wife for typing and correcting my spelling mistakes !! The black and white photo shows me on the cornet, front row, playing in Bridlington Excelsior Junior Band in 1962 aged 9. Doesn't look as though I've grown up much in the second photo !!!!

HUNMANBY SILVER BAND 2025
