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2023 – A first in recent years for the band

2023 was a successful year for the band. It was the first time in many years the band marched for the Nidderdale Show and carried on the playing duties for the rest of the day. A great honour to be the musical highlight for the whole event and we look forward to being asked again.

As well what has become our usual events at Ripley show,  Kilnsey show, Ripon Races, Pateleybridge park, we also covered Masham Sheep fair, and did our first event in Killinghall for number of years and also in Harrogate where we played on a bus going around Harrogate for the Christmas Fair.  

It’s also 10 years since our MD, Charles Hindmarsh,  started conducting the band.  As I am the author of the web site too, I’d just like to thank the band for putting up with me, especially my bad jokes, and I hope we can continue to develop the band well into the future.

2022 – Back to normal

Things were back to normal and we completed all our regular events at Ripley Show, Ripon Races and Kilnsey Show as well as taking part in the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations  on the Joe Longster Bandstand at the Recreation Ground in June.

Less than 3 months later Nidderdale Show took place on a Sunday instead of a Monday to avoid clashing with Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. The band was honoured to be asked to lead the traditional procession down the High Street as the regular marching band, Meltham and Meltham Silver Band, wasn’t available due to a double booking for them. The usual Sunday show church service took place in the main arena and included our first performance of God Save the King. The year ended with another successful Christmas Concert at the Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall and more small groups out and about around the Dale.

2021 – Moving back to spacious full rehearsals

Small group practices continued and once we were allowed indoors we moved to the spacious Kettlesing Village Hall temporarily for our practices. Here we could spread out safely and it was great to be back practicing as a full band.



We did our first full band performance after Covid at the Recreation Ground  in Pateley Bridge (on the grass, not on the bandstand, for social distancing reasons). Whilst Ripley Show and Nidderdale Show didn’t go ahead we were delighted to play at Kilnsey Show once again, followed by the traditional Remembrance Sunday service at Darley Village Hall. We returned to Darley Methodist Chapel for our rehearsals in autumn. One good thing from Covid was that we continued with the small groups carolling around the dale, once again really well received and a pleasure to do. We also enjoyed a return to Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall for a well attended Christmas Concert, supporting the hall’s fundraising efforts.</span

2020 – Rehearsals begin again after the Lockdown

Having practiced outside during the summer we were allowed back in the chapel for small group practices in the autumn. Whilst we didn’t carry out any concerts or outdoor events we did do lots of carolling around Nidderdale with small groups. So many people told us how great it was to hear live music again and contributed generously to our collection buckets.

 

 

2019 – First Brass Band Contest in Nearly 90 Years

 

For the first time nearly 90 years, the band took part in the Ripon Entertainments contest at Ripon Cathedral.  The last  time the band played in a contest was in 1930 at the Royal Hall in Harrogate, winning first prize and the Championship shield and in then at a Ripon contest ,winning 1st prize for the main section. 

Despite not winning any prizes this year, the band played really well and we hope to take part in future contests.

Ripon Cathedral – Entertainments contest

2018 – Appearance on the BBC News

It’s been another great year with appearances at most of the rural shows in the area, Ripon Races, the Pateley Bridge 1940s weekend and concerts in St Cuthbert’s, Kirkstall Abbey (Leeds), Grantley Village Hall and Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall. We also briefly featured on the BBC during the Tour De Yorkshire when we entertained the crowds at the bottom of Pateley Bridge High Street.

 
 

 

2017 – Almost a Full Band

Another great year finishing with a fantastic Christmas Concert in the Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall.  Having started with 6 players in 2013 we now have almost a complete band. We are just looking for a Bb bass player and percussionists to complete the line up.

The band played for the Tour De Yorkshire which came down through Pateley Bridge

2016 – A Night at the Movies

The annual summer concert was well attended and with a theme of  “A Night at the Movies”, it was an opportunity to show off our beginner group, our soloists and put on a  programme of film music. The band also played at the annual 1940’s event in Pateley Bridge.

1940’s weekend

Our Junior Band 2016

2015 – A New Beginners Group

A beginners group has been formed to encourage children and adults in the dale to take up a brass instrument and learn to play in the band. A group of 5 players came along to the first session. Lessons are free and the hope is that after a year they will be able to move into the main band. 

A 2015 became a very successful year with the band gaining a number of new players in key positions. The Junior Band was a big success with some youngsters and other youths moving into the main band. Thank you to everyone who came to our concerts, booked the bands for weddings and other events.  A big thank you to Harrogate Council for providing the band with a grant to pay for music, percussion instruments and repairing instruments for our beginners to use. Thank you also for all the kind comments that the band has received throughout the year on FaceBook, email and at concerts.


2014 – The Band Grows in Numbers

It’s been a busy year. The band has grown over the last 12 months as several new players have joined us. Other players have moved around a little to fill out the remaining missing parts. As a result we have recently had six successful engagements in parks, churches, shows and private events, with more planned over Christmas.


2013 – A New Start

The band can formally announce the arrival of a new Musical Director, Mr Charles Hindmarsh. As a result the band has now begun regular rehearsals on Thursday nights at the Darley Methodist Church from 7:30 until 9:30pm. The band is preparing a programme of music for future concerts and would welcome back past players and new players to build up the band. For further information please contact the Musical Director on 07979 686675.

 

Charles Hindmarsh

 

2012 – Sad News

It was with great sadness that  Mr. Arthur Leslie Layfield, the Musical Director of the band, died at the age of 74. He was a much loved and highly respected conductor. Born in Darley, Arthur joined Darley’s Junior Band at the age of nine. When this band folded in 1959, he joined the Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Prize Band, remaining with it for the rest of his life. He became musical director  in 1989.       

bandstand

Mr. Arthur Leslie Layfield 1938-2012

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