History

  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.     

Below is a link to an article about the death in 1940 of Sir D.Readett-Bayley. My thanks to Mr Gareth Mountford of Nottingham who was a distant relation.

The Early Years
The Early Years

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.

Popular music that may have been in the bands library at the time... 

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


          Memories by Glynne Brown

In the late 1800's, Hunmanby consisted of two small units of brass band playing members, playing at local functions.  Sir Dennis Bailey, who came to Hunmanby from the Nottingham area and bought Hunmanby Hall and the estates, decided to buy a complete set of brand-new instruments, stands, uniforms, etc. he asked two members of the band to go to London, to purchase the complete set.  So in 1919, Mr William Garbutt and Mr William Raylor were selected to go.  The instruments were engraved with the letters (D.B.H.S.B.). Dennis Bailey Hunmanby Silver Band.  In 1946, I joined the band and learned to play the cornet under Bill Reed, a trombone and euphonium player.  Many of the band rooms that we used over the years included a disused chapel, down Hungate Lane, now converted into flats, a horse stable in the public house, The Swan, in the pub yard also the youth center down Bowling Green Lane, and now the community center in Stonegate.  We have had many conductors over some time including, Tom Clarke, Fred Muscroft, and Colin Mason, under his direction, won our first brass contest in York.  In the '50s, we purchased some second-hand uniforms which were advertised in the "British Bandsman." The band has had many jobs throughout the years including, playing at the carnival, armistice day, and many others including the Queen's coronation in June 1953, a video of this event is circulating in the village where the band is prominent.  In the 1950s compulsory national service claimed a large part of the members including myself, during this period the instruments were loaned to R.A.F.A. in Scarborough.  When we returned to civilian life it was always our ambition to have the band back in the village.  In the meantime, I joined the parish council with Mr Eric Dixon B.E.M., who was clerk to the council.  When the lease expired in 1978, we asked for the return of the instruments, this done the council decided to make a constitution that if ever the band disbanded, the council as an ongoing body would be trustees and take care of the instruments and look after them, this done, the instruments would be kept in the village care.  In 1978 we got help from some members of the old Filey band and the Bridlington Excelsior band, notably, Bernard Mallory, Mr & Mrs Ernie Newlove, the father of Howard Newlove our present principle euphonium player.  Back in the early 1980's a keen supporter of the band, Mr Robbie Hoggarth, managed to persuade Butlins holiday camp (Filey) to supply us with the red blazers.  The band is growing from strength to strength under our musical director Mr Graham Walker, attracting playing members from a wide area.


Late 1940's
Back Row l to r ;- Cliff Watson, Dickie Mulson, W. Garbutt, G. Brown, T. Clark, Unknown, Arthur Garton, ? Frankish,Derek Rhodes,
        John Stather, George Sharp.
        Front Row  ? Turner, B. Duckwith, Mark Cowton, ? Sellers


        Members present G Brown 1949

Glynne 2019



   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.


                                                     
                                                       Playing in Botterils field behind the back of Hunmanby hall school

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

                                                                             1978
My Memories by Howard Newlove

In 1978, I was working at the local village garage. The garage foreman was  Glynne Brown, i have known Glynn since i was a young lad as he played in Bridlington Excelsior Band, the band that i started in as a learner.  Glynne often talked at work about having the band back in the village and asked me if i would like to help get the band up and running again.  As an enthusiastic 25 year old, i jumped at the chance, even though, at the time, i was also playing in Bridlington Excelsior Band and Driffield Town Band.  I can remember also, on more than one occasion, the late Derek Darling and the late Robbie Hoggarth, Glynne and myself, walking down from Stonegate garage  to the youth club on Bowling Green Lane in Hunmanby to check over the place as a practice venue, measuring up to see if there was room for filing cabinets, library, music etc.  I think we probably talked more about the band when we were at work than actually getting any work done, one advantage of having the foreman who's also a keen bandsman.  Having looked at the early history of the band in the 1920's, it refers to a Mr W. Garbutt, cycling from Forden to Hunmanby etc., it reminded me of a time when i cycled from Bridlington to Hunmanby (10 miles) approx. to help with the christmas playing around the village. I remember it was a cold, frosty December night.  I set off, perhaps ill prepared, euphonium in its case, balancing precariously on the crossbar, not easy holding the case in one hand and steering with the other. I don't think health and safety was my top priority in those days. No sooner had i cycled out of Bridlington, the chain came off my bike.  I managed to put it back on and carried on towards Hunmanby.  Approx. 3 miles later, off comes the chain again.  By this time i couldn't feel my finger ends as it was so cold and trying to get the chain put back on in the pitch black was a task in itself, this happened numerous times and my hands were blackened with oil.  Having reached the Dotterill Inn at the top of the hill, i knew then that it was mostly downhill into the village, when i finally arrived in the village, i stopped and listened hoping that i could hear the band, because i had no idea  what part of the village they would be in, after all, Hunmanby is a very large village I couldn't hear them, so i continued a little further and i could see the village church in the distance.  It was then that i saw the street lights reflecting off the instruments in that cold frosty night air.  Low and behold as they started to walk towards me, one of the lads said "your're too late, we've just finished".  When they realised how i had got here, i was hastily taken to the local pub and was sat down in front of the welcoming open fire and given a hot drink to thaw me out. I too can remember the enthusiastic band supporter, Robbie Hoggarth saying he would take me and my bike back to Bridlington in his van but was a bit low on petrol so he said he would drop me off about half way, luckily it was mainly downhill .......... Oh happy days !!!!

Memorabilia 1979-1986

                                                                      
 1979  Bands 1st public performance concert 27-3-1979

This is a recording that I made 45 years ago. The tape recorder and magnetic tapes have been up 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 that we gave that evening. This was the first time that the band had been heard in the village since the late 50's. we had only been together a few months.  PS.  tuning and intonation are a little suspect!!!

but we have improved considerably since this recording.

First band photo- Railway Tavern Hunmanby 27/3/1979

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.

27/3/1979

1980

 Band practice in the youth center, down bowling green lane. We wore the uniforms ( Jackets donated by Messers Butlins, Filey) for photographic purposes. Conductor Mr Billy Lane. 


 1980
      Butlin's Filey. Harvest Festival
     Conductor Colin Mason

   Our 1st contest win 1981

Having a celebratory drink in the local pub. 

In the photo Yolande Mowthorpe,(Band secretary), Gilbert Dixon (Trombone), Colin Mason (conductor).

Conductor Colin Mason


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 donated by 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 37 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.

Playing in the Railway Tavern Hunmanby 1981/82
conductor Colin Mason.

Mr and Mrs Newlove and Howard Newlove  1982

Playing carols in Bridlington Street Hunmanby, 23 Dec 1989, outside Adrian WIlliams (now Co-op). Left to right- Neil Wilkinson, Glynne Brown, Howard Newlove, Doug Hudson, Kevin Hiseman, Derek Darling, Graham Storey.  (Photo from Ces Mowthorpe Collection).


 

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 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 at the time, 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 though were a little taxing at times, but we persevered. Happy days.

                                   1992          

                                       

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

    Christmas 1995 Children's  Christmas party organised by Filey Rotary club. 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


1996

 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 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)


                                                                                   
    Sewerby Park Conductor Barry Mc Gauley

   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.

Extract from 4barsrest (Thanks for the Memory)  by Kind Permission Chris Helme 2003


                                                         Extract  from `4barsrest` (Thanks for the Memory)

                                                                 by Kind Permission Chris Helme 2003


                 Fred and Joe playing in the Bridlington                      Brass Ensemble

I've managed to find some old (VHS) video that i recorded of Fred playing the last part of his own arrangement of Valse Brillante. (Crescent Gardens Filey 1997)


SCOTS GUARDS

Band Sargeant Fred Muscroft chats to the Lord Mayor of Leeds. (Director of music Sam Rhodes looks on)


                   SCOTS GUARDS

Band Sargeant Fred Muscroft chats to the Lord Mayor of Leeds. ( Director  of music Sam Rhodes looks-on.)

Fred and Joe playing in the Bridlington Brass Ensemble

 Graham was Champion of Great Britain 1971/72 and won the title playing Jenny Jones.

I've managed to find some  old (VHS) video  that i took of Fred playing the last part of his arrangement of  Valse Brillante. (Crescent Gardens Filey 1997)

                           


 HUNMANBY ACE YOUTH BAND by Sue Lovett
(1st baritone)

1999 saw the realisation that the average age of the band was increasing and no young blood joining. We embarked on a mission to enrol younger members to the band. Three local primary schools were approached together with the local press, inviting anyone interested in learning to play to attend an open evening. 
The evening was a huge success and we managed to enrol 40+ new members (of all ages). The challenge then began of supplying loan instruments. With a little bit of begging and borrowing and a successful grant application to Age Concern, we were able to obtain the required number of instruments and uniforms and equipment to start our junior band named Hunmanby Ace Youth Band (in recognition of the grant from Age Concern). Thursday evenings were allocated to rehearsal.
The youth band continued to strengthen in numbers and ability and we acquired several local engagements which helped to provide funding for its continuity.
Sadly after approx. 4-5 years many of our young members lost interest and we were faced with the difficult decision of how to move things forward. With approximately 6 of our learner members still keen to continue and an enthusiastic team of Hunmanby Silver Band members, we decided to continue under the name Village Brass.

VILLAGE BRASS

Following the demise of Hunmanby Ace Youth Band, Village Brass was formed from the remaining learner members together with members from Hunmanby Silver Band who were keen to have an extra reahearsal each week, and to uphold the engagements previously carried out by the Youth Band. Village Brass continues to rehearse on alternate Thursday evenings, carrying out approximately 6 engagements per year and is open to all brass players.
Pictured with a small group of Ace Youth Band players are Sue Lovett/ The late Doug Hudson/ The late Jim Garbutt

  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.

Left to right  The late Jim Garbutt - Mark                         Cowton - Glynne Brown

Left to right  (SEATED) - Mrs Mallory - Doug Hudson

Bernard Mallory - Christine Brigham. (STOOD) - Unknown- Norman Hall -  Garry Batten


                                                                                                                                                                                         
  2009 Conductor Ernie Marsden
This was the programme we played celerbrating the bands 90th anniversary

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)


2013
   Bridlington Spa-Conductor Wendy Brayshaw

2016

The late Peter Haywood presented a farewell gift to the late Rod Court, a long-serving member of the band. Rod was moving out of the area.

(Rod and Peter were from our trombone section)


 1919-2019

                                                                                  A HUNDRED YEARS  by Anne Pilgrim Green

                                 

            Illustration by Anne Pilgrim Green


                                                                                                  February 2022

                                                                                                                                                                                       

People are wondering `` Where is V.B. `` ?  Sadly, all good things come to an end.  Is it 15 years + since the band was formed !!

How time passes.  The pandemic has put paid to a great many of the events we enjoyed doing:-


                                                        Filey Bandstand, North Yorkshire Moors Railway,

                                                              Charity events, Church fetes, Weddings,

                                                                              and many others.


Unfortunately, some band members have retired or left us for good, so it has been decided to concentrate solely on the Hunmanby Silver Band.  As the new season gets underway, there will, hopefully, be more time for rehearsals (twice weekly).


Thank you for all the support you have given the band.

Another era passes.

BARRIE DONALDSON

People are wondering `` Where is V.B ? `` Sadly all good things come to an end.  Is it really 15+ years since the band was formed ? How time passes.  The pandemic has put paid to a great many of the events that we enjoyed doing :-


             Filey Bandstand, Church fetes

             Charity events, Weddings,

             North Yorkshire Moors Railway

             and many others.


Unfortunately, some band members have retired or left us for good, so it has been decided to concentrate solely on Hunmanby Silver Band.  As the new season gets under way, there will, hopefully, be more time for rehearsals (twice weekly).


Thank you for all the support you have given the band.


Another era passes.


BARRIE DONALDSON.

             


BARRIE DONALDSON

Barrie started playing the piano at the age of 8 and attained the level of grade 6 in piano and theory. He joined the school band at the age of 10 on cornet and later joined Leeds Youth Band, also playing cornet. He was also a choirister at Harewood House church for two years. In 1956 Barrie was playing the solo sousaphone in the Middlesborough Orchestra. 1958 saw him joining the Army in the Queens Royal Lancers, playing a variety of instruments in the band including Bb Bass, Euphonium, and Trombone - Piano/dance band. Between 1961 1963 Barrie attended the Royal School of Music at Kneller Hall. 1964 he served in Germany, Aden, N.Ireland, and England. Whilst serving in the Middle East, the band played for Emperor Hiali Selassie of Ethiopia. In 1974 Barrie was an instructor for two years at the Junior Army School of Music, Bovington (brass and keyboards). He also played in numerous bands in the 80's including Bournemouth Concert Band on trombone. He was also the conductor of Hyde Silver Band, and Grimsby Light Orchestra on trombone, he also formed the dance band 'The Star Liners' playing the piano and organ. Into the 90's he played in Kendal Concert Band and conducted when required. Also bandmaster for the Territorial Army Band in Preston. In 2000, Barrie joined Hunmanby Silver Band, playing trombone and euphonium, and was elected deputy conductor. He also helped form Village Brass.



  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 2024

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