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Somercotes Brass Band (1)

The Somercotes Brass Band was originally called the Somercotes Brass and Reed Band as it contained musicians who played wind as well as brass instruments. It was probably active from the 1860s or 70s, although the earliest record that can be found is from the Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald dated March 1882 when a report was published of a concert was held in the Boy’s Schoolroom at Somercotes in aid of funds for the band.

They seem to have performed for a wide range of events, including carnivals, flower shows and various civil and religious ceremonies. The band also travelled widely within the local area.

As well as performing at various events, the band also took part in a number of competitions over the years:

• Tibshelf Flower Show and Athletics Sports Day, 24 July 1883. This event was held at the Tibshelf Colliery Recreation and Cricket Ground. Each band could choose the test piece on which they were judged and the Somercotes Brass and Reed Band performed Souvenir de Meyerbeer (arrangement by Godfrey). They came third overall.
• South Normanton Band Contest, 28 June 1884.The Somercotes Brass and Reed Band performed in this contest and came fourth, overall.
• Tibshelf Flower Show and Athletics Sports Day, 22 July 1884. Like the previous year, this contest was held at the Tibshelf Colliery Recreation and Cricket Ground. The Band was not placed in this competition.
• Alfreton Band Contest, 6 August 1884. This was held in the grounds of Alfreton Hall. The Band was not placed in this contest.

The information regarding these competitions was taken from the website brassbandresults.co.uk. Many Bands would perform at these contests as most villages, along with various church and similar organisations would have Brass or Marching Bands. The Somercotes Brass and Reed Band no doubt entered many more contests over the years.

During the mid-1880s the Band had a professional conductor, Mr. James Addison, who came from Nottingham. The local resident conductor was George Simpson, a gifted trombone player who lived on Sleetmoor Lane.

There are many newspaper articles from the 1890s regarding the Somercotes Brass and Reed Band. Following are transcriptions from just a couple:

3 August 1895 Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald – “SWANWICK FLOWER SHOW – …The Somercotes Brass and Reed Band discoursed excellent music and the Sutton Glee Singers gave an entertainment which was much appreciated.”

27 June 1896 Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald – “A NEW MARKET OPENED AT SOMERCOTES - …and in order to attract the public they engaged the Somercotes Brass and Reed Band to play for dancing…”. (The full transcript of this newspaper report can be found elsewhere on this website)

25 July 1896 Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald – “SOMERCOTES – BAND OF HOPE UNION. In connection with the Somercotes Band of Hope Union a demonstration took place on Saturday last. At half past two a procession was formed of the various Band of Hopes, and headed by the Somercotes Brass and Reed Band, they paraded the principal streets of the village, afterwards proceeding to Mr. Bowns field where entertainments were given by Band of Hope children and the Somercotes Snowdrop Minstrel Troupe. In the evening a temperance meeting was held, the chair being taken by Mr. Wills of Derby and interesting addresses were delivered by Mr. Falconbridge (an ex-publican) and Mr. T J Nowell (agent to the United Kingdom Alliance). Prizes were awarded to children for racing and skipping and the event passed off very satisfactorily.”

The Somercotes Brass and Reed Band seem to have disbanded in 1900. Many years after this though, they were still remembered. A talented musician and former member of the band, William Lowe, died in 1934. His obituary, which is transcribed in full, appears below:

18 May 1934 Belper News – “FORMER ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER AT RIDDINGS – Organist and choirmaster at Riddings Baptist Church in recent years, Mr. William Lowe (72) 5, Wood Street, Leabrooks died on Saturday and was buried at Leabrooks Cemetery on Wednesday. A Staffordshire man, Mr Lowe resided in Leabrooks and Sleetmoor Lane, Somercotes for 63 years. For 50 years he was a miner and worked at Swanwick and Cotes Park Collieries. One of the best known musicians in the area, he was conductor of the old Somercotes Brass and Reed Band. Several years after he relinquished his duties at Riddings Baptist Church he was choirmaster and organist at Leabrooks ex-PM Church and also organist at the Green Sash Concert Party, once a popular Leabrooks organisation. Mr. Lowe was a clarinet player. He was twice married and leaves four sons and two daughters.”

Finally, the retirement of Mr. J Winfield, a railway signalman was also reported in the papers. He too, was a talented musician. The newspaper report covers almost a full column length, and included details of other members of Mr. Winsfield’s family and friends who were also musicians. Part of the report is interesting because it gives an approximate date for the termination of the Band.

7 June 1935 Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald – “SIGNALMAN FOR 35 YEARS – RETIREMENT OF MR. J WINFIELD … On returning to the locality, Mr. Winfield, who is an oboe player was a member of the old Somercotes Brass and Reed Band until it disbanded 35 years ago…”

 

Somercotes Brass Band (2)

A new Somercotes Brass Band was formed around the 1960s.

The website brassbandresults.co.uk lists one competition that this Band took part in, although there must have been many others.

• North East Midlands Contest (Second Section) 19 February 1961. The competition was held at the Rolls Royce Welfare Hall. The Band was not placed.

Virtually nothing else is known about this band. If you have any information or photographs, please let us know (the contact details are on the Home Page).