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FODEN’S BAND A HISTORY Compiled by Stewart Green ©.

Including information provided by Jimmy Charles, Allan Littlemore, F Don Burgess, and members of Foden’s Band. Recording information with help from Frank Andrews (78’s) April 2019 Update.###################################################################################INDEX #01. History 1900 to date. #02. Recordings – Track Listing of 78’s, LP’s, 45, and CD’s. #03. Musical Directors – List #04. Bandmasters – List #05. Band Managers#06a. Competitions – Positions #06b. Placings (Foden’s Band) #06c. Test Pieces for Championships #06d. Quartet Results. #07. List of Band Members 1900 to date. #08. Longest Serving Band Members / Youngest / First Female #09. BBC Radio Band of the Year #10. Other Local Radio Programmes on Brass Band Music #11. BBC Champion Brass / Best of Brass #12. Annual competitions and dates. #13. Current Band Members #14. Foden’s Broadcasts (BBC) #15. Listen to the Band – History BBC Radio 2 Programme.

The main files include Music History (History of a tune) and Biographies of Players. ####################################################################################00. THE BRITISH BRASS BAND. The British Style Brass Band (Named like this because the American Brass Band has a different line upof instruments) dates back to the 1800’s with its traditional roots being in the industrial north of England. In 1809 a Brass Band was formed in, and called the Stalybridge Old Band (Still in existence) and is considered to be the first of this type of musical group. ###################################################################################

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1900 THE HISTORY OF FODEN’S BAND ###################################################################################16-17 May 1900 The “Relief of Mafeking” happened when British Soldiers were in South Africa defending it from the Dutch settlers known as Boers who wanted independence from Britain. Unable to stop the Boers the British were penned in at the small African township called Mafeking. The town had been left under siege for 217 days until it was finally given its freedom by the relief forces. The British troops in the town were Commanded by Lt. Gen. Robert Baden-Powell (Later founded the Scout Movement) who was made a national hero as he kept the

troops moral high and refusing to surrender. The event was transmitted to Reuters in London at 9.17pm on Friday the 18 May 1900. This was the event that eventually led to the formation of the FODEN’S BAND which came into existence from the old Sandbach town band and Wheelock Temperance Society Band who had been playing during an event to celebrate the event at Mafekin. 26 May 1900 At 3pm on the 26 May 1900 Mr Francis Poole led a procession from Sandbach to Elworth that included the “Sandbach Volunteer Brass band”. Decorated floats and a new Foden Steam Traction engine joined the procession and it was suggested by nearby Sandbach Chairman of the Council Cllr. H Billyard that in the evening, all should meet on Sandbach Common for an informal get together. It was suggested that the bands lead the procession back to Sandbach and they marched through Wheelock where they were joined by the Wheelock Temperance Band. After various speeches it was planned to march back to Elworth for the Evening bonfire, led by Weelock Temperance Band. However a local public house in Sandbach, offered free drinks to band members on this day. Some of the Temperance members felt that by accepting this offer it was seen as being against their beliefs and so they decide to take their instruments back to Wheelock and failed to continue with the planned march back to Elworth. The return event had groups depicting the Army and Navy leading a parade to Elworth where a bonfire had been built on which effigies of the Boer leaders, Kruger and Kronje were to be burned rather like Guy Fawkes on the 5 November. The members of the Sandbach Volunteer Band also decided not to return to Elworth as the offer of free drinks was too tempting and they stayed in the public House. The organisers were not pleased at this snub to the celebrations and vowed that Elworth would have its own independent band for these occasions. They met together in the “The Commercial Hotel” in Elworth to discuss this new venture. Mrs Danvers of the “Commercial Hotel” gave the first “Golden” Guinea towards the fund with John Pring of “Wiremaster”, Thomas Plant a local gentleman, John Poole a boot and shoe manufacturer and Edwin Foden all donated to the fund along with numerous other local people. In “The History of Foden’s Motor Works Band” published in 1936 as a promotion leaflet for the company, it described the events of the march and says – “A vigerous demand for a Military March was passed down the line. Not a trumpet or a drum was heard! Jim Davies, a founder member told Allan Littlemore that the Wheelock Temperance Band was tired and it had volunteered to go home and the procession returned without musical honours.” “Indignation, brought the Elworth leaders together on the very same night …. Resolved forthwith that Elworth henceforth should be musically independent – resolved also that a public subscription should be raised for the purpose of organising and equipping a BRASS BAND.” 1900 Fundraising events for the band included Harry Davies, Jim Davies and Percy Plant going to Manchester to borrow a barrel organ which they pushed the 30 miles back to Elworth where they then toured with it round the local villages gaining donations

before returning it to its owner by again pushing it the 30 miles. September 1900 By September 1900, £30 had been raised to purchase instruments from the nearby Knutsford band which had recently folded. According to the book “By Royal Command” the instruments had been made by Higham’s of Manchester and they arrived the following week at Sandbach Station. The instruments were then set out before rehearsals started at the United Methodist Church Schoolroom with twenty four villagers who had never played an instrument before.

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1900 ELWORTH BRASS BAND (Later becoming the Elworth Silver Band)

Conductor Sam Charlesworth ###################################################################################3 Dec 1900 ELWORTH BRASS BAND INSTRUMENT LOAN Existing in the archive is a copy of a letter / contract to join the newly formed band and for the loan of a Euphonium to William Foden signed by Mr Foden and Francis J Poole the secretary of the band. The instrument number is 45304 (Hylans?) 1900 The Bands first public performance (if you could call it that) was just after collecting their instruments they went out onto the streets of Elworth blowing any note that they could make with the instruments none of them had played before. Samuel Charlesworth a Music Teacher was employed to teach the new players how to play their instruments and rehearsals took place in the left side of some horse stables (Mellor’s Stables) which were later to became a local bakehouse. BAND MEMBERS

Cornet Edwin Foden Jnr Cornet James Davies Cornet Samuel Whittaker Cornet John Edmonds

Cornet Percy Plant Cornet Thomas Collins

Cornet Ted Venables Cornet S. Edgar Charlesworth Cornet Harry Jennings Soprano Cornet Vivian Pass Tenor Horn John Bateman

Tenor Horn Herbert Davies Tenor Horn Henry Cooper Tenor Horn John Chapman Baritone Thomas Hough

Baritone Herbert Prince Trombone Samuel Twemlow Trombone John Cowap

Euphonium William Foden Euphonium Henry Burgess E Flat Bass Albert Hough

E Flat Bass William Edmonds B Flat Bass Jack Boulton

Drums A. E. (Bogie) Wright Secretary of the Band Francis Poole Conductor and 1st Teacher Sam Charlesworth (from Talke o’ th’ Hill on the Staffordshire / Cheshire Boarder) Sam Charlesworth was paid three guineas a year for his services along with a fee of one penny a week from each of the band members for tuition (The Fee was paid by Band funds if the bandsman couldn’t afford it). The first band-room was in the loft of Mellor’s Stables in Marsh Green Road which was not ideal as band member George Faulkner found out when he moved his chair back a bit and fell through the hole left by the loft ladder. The band was taught to play “Abide with me” which became appropriate when on the 22 January 1901 Queen Victoria died. ___________________________________________________________________________________Mr D. Henry BURGESS It is unfair to write about any of the members of the band at this stage in their history but in 1936 a history of the band was produced with a number of biographies and so I have decided to include the information at a point when they have first joined the band. In 1900 Henry Burgess was on Euphonium and according to the 1936 biography played the Bass Trombone with the old Elworth band bringing it with him for a number of year’s to the new Foden Motor Works Band. In 1902 he became Secretary of the band, a role he continued until 1910. ___________________________________________________________________________________NATIONAL NEWS 21 July 1900 COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships, Crystal Palace, London

For the Crystal Palace 1,000 guinea trophy. Test Piece “Gems from Sullivan’s Opera No 1” J. Ord Hume. RESULTS FIRST Denton Original SECOND Black Dyke Mills THIRD Wingate Temperance Foden’s Motor Works didn’t qualify 1900 to 1909.

HISTORY OF THE COMPETITION The 1,000 Guinaes Trophy is now in the Museum of Welsh Life near Cardiff. In 1977 it was loaned to Foden’s Band for an exhibition and in 1980 for the final of the “Granada band of the Year” competitionat Belle Vue. Also known as the Crystal Palace Trophy or in Wales the “Caradog Cup” after the first choir conductor to win the trophy, Griffith Rhys Jones known as “Caradog”.

In 1871 the Crystal Palace complex organisers decided to hold its first Brass Band Competition. It was a five day National Union Brass and Choral Event and had a wonderful trophy designed for the winnersby S.J. Nicholl and made by silversmith’s Messrs Cox of Southampton Street, London at a cost of no more than 1,000 guineas thus the name of the trophy. The first year only had one entry in the Choir Competition that of the “South Wales Choral Union” from Aberdare conducted by Griffith Rhys Jones known as “Caradog”. The following year only one other choir entered the competition and they came second. Had the “South Wales Choral Union” choir won a third time they could have kept the trophy but it was decided that due to the lack of support the whole competition would be cancelled and the trophy was kept in the vaults of Crystal Palace for 27 years. When John Henry Iles acquired “The British Bandsman” newspaper he was keen to promote the brass band world and approached Crystal Palace to hold a National event to find the best Brass Band. Originally for London bands they needed a trophy and John recalled the choral competition trophy was not in use and so approached the organisers to use it for his competition. In 1900 the first competition took place and was won by Denton Original Band. The competition continued until 1936 when the building was destroyed by fire. On the 26 September 1936 the final competition of the National Brass Band Championship, Crystal Palace, London took place with the following placings.

FIRST FODEN’S (for the 5th time in seven Year’s) SECOND Black Dyke Mills THIRD Friary (Guildford) On a sad note to the final year’s competition was the death of Joe Brookes who was conducting the Junior section entry by the Rivington and Adlington Band when he collapsed on stage and died. Joe Brookes had been the Soprano cornetist with Foden’s until 1915 when he left to join Horwich RMI after being fired from the band for going on strike. In the evening a rather subdued concert by the Massed Band was recorded for 78 and included “Homeland Melodies” (Arr John Henry Iles) and was conducted by John Henry Iles. On the 30 November 1936 the building caught fire and was destroyed. In 1938 the Welsh decided to claim the trophy and the Earl of Plymouth along with the National Museum of Wales led a campaign to have the trophy in Wales. The plea was even talked about in Parliament but as the country was about to go to war the matter was dropped. By 1952 the Crystal Palace Company had folded and the trophy became the property of the Greater London Council. It was at this time the Welsh claim was again brought up and after much legal wrangling the GLC finally decided in 1972 to let the Welsh to borrow the trophy for an exhibition celebrating the centenary of the original competition’s final win. In 1974 the Greater London Council decided to make the loan on a permanent basis and it now forms part of the Welsh Folk Museum’s Gallery of Material Culture. (Based on information by David Cawdell in 4 Bars Rest 2004) ___________________________________________________________________________________

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1901 ELWORTH SILVER BAND###################################################################################22 Jan 1901 Queen Victoria Died.

2 Feb 1901 Elworth Band played at the Elworth Church Memorial Service in honour of Queen Victoria their first engagement. 12 Feb 1901 CONCERT – Torchlight Prosession at 7pm. With New Uniforms and Straw hats the band led the Torchlight procession through Elworth, Elton and Moston to celebrate the new King Edward VII. __________________________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL NEWS28 Sept 1901 COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships, Crystal Palace, London For the Crystal Palace 1,000 guinea trophy. Test Piece “Gems from Sullivan’s Opera No 3” by J. Ord Hume RESULTS FIRST Lee Mount SECOND Irwell Springs THIRD Denton Original

Foden’s Motor Works didn’t qualify 1900 to 1909. ___________________________________________________________________________________30 Nov 1901 Crewe Chronicle. “BRASS BAND SOIREE AT ELWORTH” The first annual Soiree in aid of funds of the Elworth Brass Band was held on Friday in the Co-op Hall which had been decorated by the ladies of the village, including Mrs Foden. Dancers attended in strong force and danced from 8pm to 4am to the music of the Elworth Band. ___________________________________________________________________________________

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1902 ELWORTH SILVER BAND Conductor Sam Charlesworth ###################################################################################

22 March 1902 Crewe Chronicle “With Foden Motor to Congleton” On Saturday Messrs, Foden’s Sons and Co Ltd delivered a motor wagon, of the pattern made famous throughout the civilised world by their victory in the military motor trials. The latest wagon, built to the order of the Silver Springs Bleaching and Dyeing Company of Timbersbrook, near Congleton, and the body of the wagon, was modified to suit their requirements. As this vehicle was one of the first to be delivered to a private firm, and as the destination was within a reasonable distance, the builders decided to celebrate the event with suitable festivities. Arrangements were made for the conveyance of the Elworth Brass Band, and a number of other enthusiastic supporters. The procession re-formed on arrival at Congleton and marched to Swan Bank, the motor and vehicles following. At Swan Bank a halt was made while the band discoursed several selections in good style.

After delivering the vehicle to Timbersbrook the party returned to the Lion and Swan Hotel where they were entertained to a sumptuous dinner by Mr E Foden and Mr Royale (of the purchasing firm). After dinner an enjoyable evening was spent, with songs, toasts and selections by the band. 31 May 1902 Crewe Chronicle. “Coronation Committee Meeting – Elworth Coronation Plans – Mutiny of the Band” Elworth Band refused to play for the Coronation unless they were paid £4. Some members of the meeting wanted to dissolve the band or expel such members who refused to play but that was ruled out by the Chairman. An alternative resolution charging the members with disloyalty to their committee and expressing the opinion that their action was dishonourable to the people of Elworth was carried. A further resolution was passed to apply for tenders for a band excluding the Elworth Band from tenders. 7 June 1902 Crewe Chronicle. (On Tenders for a band to play in Elworth for the Coronation) 75 tenders received for services of a band. The price they decided to pay was double that demanded by the local band. “Newspaper Comment” we think they would have

been wiser and patched up their differences. The fact that Elworth has a band they may well be proud of and the sum demanded was a mere acknowledgement of their service. 21 June 1902 Crewe Chronicle. Elworth procession decided to have Crewe Carriage works Silver Band and Middlewich Centenary Brass Band. Sandbach will have the Elworth Silver Band and the Volunteer Band. Extraordinary meeting of inhabitants on Wednesday arising out of a dispute with Elworth Silver Band, Rev T Lunt in Chair. A letter was received from the band tendering their resignation. The Chairman proposed a resolution that the band be dissolved and instruments disposed of. Mr W Foden made an offer of £58 1s 6d for the whole of the instruments. A Committee was formed to dispose of the instruments to the best advantage. 1902 As mentioned in the Chronicle (21 June 1902) Elworth couldn’t be without a band at this time of a National event of the Coronation and after putting out the job for tender they hired the Crewe “London and North Western Railway Carriage Works Band” for the occasion at a fee of £8.26 June 1902 A REVIEW OF THE EVENTS FOR THE CORONATION. (Event) Two Concerts were arranged for the King’s Coronation one in Elworth and the other in Smallwood for which the band were to be paid £20 by Edwin Foden himself as it was his home village. However the Committee decided that the band should play only in Elworth and it was agreed that a fee of £4 would be obtained from the Coronation Committee of Elworth for the bands engagement in the afternoon. However Band members decided to play Elworth in the afternoon and Smallwood in the Evening. The Committee took the altruistic line that no fee should be charged to their own village on such a National occasion. The band was now in crisis as band members had asked for a fee of £4 to be fixed for playing members and the committee turned down their request following it up by calling in all the instruments owned by the band in disgust at being asked to pay the band, which they then sold the instruments, giving the funds from the sale to a charity called the “Elworth Charity”. (EXTRA INFORMATION – Edwin Foden lived at Rose Cottage at 4 Ends Lane / Newcastle Road, Smallwood.) 1902 BAND MEMBERS INSTRUMENT PLAYER

Cornet Edwin Foden Jnr Cornet James Davies

Cornet (Edward) Ted Venables Cornet S. Edgar Charlesworth

Cornet Sam Charlesworth Soprano Cornet Vivian Pass

Baritone (Bill) William Peers Baritone Thomas Hough

Baritone J Mellor Baritone George Faulkner Baritone George Mason

Trombone Samuel P Twemlow Trombone John E Cowap

Euphonium William Foden Euphonium Henry Burgess Euphonium (Ted) Edward Plant Euphonium W Arrowsmith E Flat Bass T Mitchell E Flat Bass F Wakefield

E Flat Bass William Edmonds B Flat Bass Jack Boulton

Drums E Spooner Driver Charlie Cross

Librarian C Jones

1902 The ELWORTH SILVER BAND did play for the Coronation Celebrations in Sandbach and Smallwood although the actual Coronation itself was postponed until the 9 August 1902 due to the new King having what was described as a cold (It turned out to be appendicitis). (King Edward VII 22 Jan 1901 –6 May 1910) This was the last engagement of the band in its present form. 28 June 1902 Crewe Chronicle. Changes were announced to the celebration programme due to the King’s illness. He was to have an operation for perity philitus. 5 July 1902 Crewe Chronicle. Elworth went ahead with its celebration despite being no coronation after all the King was still the King. Elworth Silver Band played in the square and accompanied singing for Sandbach’s reduced celebrations. 1902 Under the band rules the band were given 14 days notice of its disbandment when the instruments were then taken off them and sold putting plans by the Committee to have a reliable band in Elworth back to square one. 1902 Having made an offer for the instruments at a meeting in June and had it rejected by the committee Mr Edwin Foden offered to take over the band and had to purchase his own instruments. Edwin could have done nothing else as it was he who had caused the collapse of the band in the first place by asking them to play at Smallwood.

Mr Foden purchased a set of Besson Silver plated instruments to replace those sold by the Elworth Committee. This was the start of the FODEN MOTOR WORKS BAND. 26 July 1902 Crewe Chronicle. The Elworth Silver Band is still making every effort to attain hurried perfections and the remarkable progress that has always been characteristic of this band since it’s still recent inauguration shows no sign of abatement. They have been invited to give a sacred concert in Crewe Park, in the near future. Remembering the class of musical fare at these concerts it is undoubtedly a courageous act for a young band to accept the invitation. ###################################################################################

UNKNOWN FODEN’S PRIZE BAND ###################################################################################In the Radio Times dated the 2 June 1936 the Frank Biffo’s Brass Quintet made a broadcast with PeggyCochrane (Violin). Frank Biffo is a well known trumpet soloist and an member of the original Savoy Orpheans. Pianist and arranger was Guy Fletcher, with First Trumpet George Chappel who was first with the Grenadier Guards, then FODEN’S PRIZE BAND, and finally with Muscant’s Orchestra. 2nd Trumpet Eris Todd from Manchester, First trombone – Tony Mangan.

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1902 FODEN MOTOR WAGGON WORKS BAND Conductor Sam Charlesworth / William Rimmer ###################################################################################(NOTE – The Foden Motor Waggon Works Band was spelt with two G’s in Waggon in the early days becoming Wagon later in its life) ___________________________________________________________________________________FODEN MOTOR WORKS BRIEF HISTORY TO 1902. 1856 In 1856 Edwin Foden joined "Plant and Hancock" as an indentured apprentice. He then went to work at Crewe and Kidsgrove railway workshops before returning to Elworth and the "Plant and Hancock Company" where at the age of 19 he became shop Forman (1860). 1862 By 1862 the company started to produce small steam portable engines for industry and agricultural use. 1866 Folling Mr Plant’s retirement in 1866 George Hancock made Edwin a partner in the company and renamed it "Hancock and Foden" known locally as the Elworth Foundry. 1870 In 1870 George Hancock retired from his business, officially but still acted as a consultant and so the name changed to FODEN AND HANCOCK. 1876 In 1876 the name of the company changed to EDWIN FODEN AND SONS to include William and Edwin Richard Foden the two sons. 1902 FODEN’S LTD formed to help propel the manufacturing company into the new era.

Edwin Foden was Managing Director.Mr Cecil H. Brunner Chairman John and Reuben Stubbs Board Members. Samuel Poole Twemlow (Edwin's Son in Law) Company Secretary.

During the year the old Foundry building was rebuilt and enlarged along with new offices on the other side of the road. ___________________________________________________________________________________FODEN MOTOR WORKS BAND 1902 Edwin Foden decided that the lack of success the band were having in concerts was due to not having the right Professional Coach and Conductor with the band and so he hired William Rimmer (40 Year Old Cornet Player, trainer, conductor and arranger) to take over the band. (Information from “By Royal Command” and “Brass Bands” by Arthur R. Taylor.) ___________________________________________________________________________________

WILLIAM RIMMER Biography. William Rimmer was born in Birkdale, Southport in 1862 (1861 in some listings). His father had been a bandmaster with the 3rd Volunteer Brigade, King’s Liverpool Regiment. At the age of 15 William started as a Side-Drummer with the Southport Rifle band where he eventuallybecame the third Cornet player, Second Cornet, Repiano and finally Solo Cornet. From Southport he went on to play with Besses O’th barn, Kingston Mills and Heywood Rifles. By 1890 William was starting on his conducting career, coaching Wingates and Irwell Springs. At the start of the 1900’s William was becoming a big name in the brass band world and had become the Music editor of “Richardson’s Cornet Brass and Military Band Journal”. His composing also brought his name to the fore with “The Cossack” (written for Foden’s) and “Slaidburn” (for Wingates). However, he also wrote under a number of pseudonyms including F. Le Due, Michael Laurent, Kenneth Henschel, Carl Hessler and Heather Dene. In 1902 William Joined Foden’s in Sandbach. In 1909 William Rimmer decided to retire from contests to concentrate on the Southport Municipal Military Band a group of musicians hired by Southport Corporation for the Summer Season to play each morning and evening between May and December. While in Southport William also conducted the Southport Orchestral Society and ensemble along with being a member of the Southport Musical Festival executive committee. In 1913 after dropping his Southport commitments William joined “Wright and Round” (Music Publishers) in Liverpool, where he edited their magazine. After the first “Great War” Rimmer returned to conducting bands with the Southport Corporation Military Band for two years.

Over the years William Rimmer helped a number of bands to success in various competitions and performances. (See list below) In February 1936 William attended the Southport Tabernacle Orchestra’s concert making his final appearance with the William Rimmer composition “The Last Goodbye”. On the 9 February 1936 William Rimmer died unexpectedly. His funeral took place on the 12 February at the Baptist Tabernacle, Southport with his internment at Birkdale Cemetery. On the 31 March 1936 the BBC Broadcast a special tribute programme called “Homage to Rimmer” with music written or arranged by William Rimmer and the programmes was presented by John Henry Iles. 31 Mar 1936 BBC Manchester “Homage to Rimmer” (Paid £21) (see 3 Apr 1936) Taking part were Foden’s Motor Works Band led by Fred Mortimer with Harry Mortimer on Principal Cornet, a quartet of players – Clifton Jones (Cornet – Irwell Springs), Owen Bottomley (Cornet Black Dyke), Fred Fletcher (Tenor Horn Wingates), and Fred Appleby (Euphonium Hebden Bridge) The broadcast was presented by John Henry Iles. 1. March - Honest Toil 2. Selection - Gems of Schubert 3. Overture - Rule Britannia 4. Humouresque – The Costers Wedding 5. Quartet – Mountain Breezes 6. Selection – Erotica 7. Hymn – Memories 3 Apr 1936 BBC Manchester “Homage to Rimmer” (Paid £21) (see 31 Mar 1936) (Two Programmes presented “Live” in tribute to William Rimmer).

(Information from Brass Bands by Arthur R. Taylor ISBN 0246 11082 1 -1979)

LIST OF COMPOSITIONS The Australasian Avenger Black Knight The Bostonian The British Flag The Carnival King Chiming Bells (About 1900) The Comet The Cossack (Foden’s Signature Tune) Cross of Honour Dauntless Dawn of Freedom Faith and Free For Freedom and Honour Hailstorm (Cornet Solo) Honest Toil Kings of the Air Jack O’ The Lantern Knight of the Road Monarch Military Church Parade North Star Punchinello Ravenswood

Sergeants of the Guard Silver Showers (Cornet Solo) Slaidburn Son’s of Victory Victor’s Return The Virtuoso Viva Birkinshaw (Tribute to a Black Dyke Cornettist)

Weber’s Last Waltz (Solo Euphonium) The Wizard ARRANGEMENTS The Bohemian Girl (Balfe)

Cleopatra (Cornet Solo) (Written by Damare) Rule Britannia Overture (Thomas Augustine Arne .b. 1710 .D. 1778) ORCHESTRIAL WORKS

The Bells of St Malo The Coster’s Wooing Southport Belles (March) A Tarantella (For Piccolo and Orchestra) Wedding Bells (Gavotte)

LIST OF PSEUDONYMS (Names composed under) Sydney Dacre E Damare E Le Duc F Le Duc Heather Dene Hiram Eden Oliver Hertzer Kenneth Henschall Carl Hessler H Holloway Michael Laurent E Morton (Not E Moreton which is Harry Mortimer) W Raymond Wilton Roche Adrian Rolfe W Royle Karl Somers Eric Walton C Zadoc Crafulla Eugene Verner

LIST OF BANDS ASSOCIATED WITH WILLIAM RIMMER Black Dyke Mills Broxburn Public Crooke (Wigan) Earlstown Viaduct Eccleston (Chorley) Foden’s Motor Works (1905-) Freckleton Subscription Gossage Soap works (Widnes) Hebden Bridge Irwell Bank (Farnworth) Irwell Springs (Bacup) Kingston Mills (Hyde) Kings Cross Subscription (Halifax) Lee Mount (Halifax) Matlock Pemberton Old (Wigan) Pendleton Old Rochdale Public Rushton Temperance Shaw (Oldham) Standish Subscription Wingates Temperance (Westhughton) Wyke Temperance

___________________________________________________________________________________NATIONAL NEWS COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships, Crystal Palace, London For the Crystal Palace 1,000 guinea trophy. Test Piece “Hiawatha” by Coleridge Taylor arr C Godfrey RESULTS FIRST Black Dyke Mills SECOND Wyke THIRD Luton Red Cross

Foden’s Motor Works didn’t qualify 1900 to 1909. ___________________________________________________________________________________

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1903 FODEN MOTOR WAGGON WORKS BAND Conductor William Rimmer ###################################################################################1 May 1903 CONCERT – Holmes Chapel At the Holmes Chapel May Day Festival the band were dressed in a new Green uniform. 1903 Famous Euphonium player Herbert Scott was appointed Professional Conductor. 1903 ? COMPETITION – Ellesmere.

The Band came 2nd. 1903 COMPETITION – Sandbach New Conductor Chris Smith (Professional) The band were below strength and did not secure a prize. ___________________________________________________________________________________NATIONAL NEWS26 Sept 1903 COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships, Crystal Palace, London For the Crystal Palace 1,000 guinea trophy. Test Piece “Die Meistersinger” by Wagner arr F C Shipley-Douglas. RESULTS FIRST Besses O’ Th Barn SECOND Rushden Temperance THIRD Black Dyke Mills

Foden’s Motor Works didn’t qualify 1900 to 1909. __________________________________________________________________________________

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1904 FODEN MOTOR WAGGON WORKS BAND Conductor William Rimmer ###################################################################################March 1904 COMPETITION – Crewe First prize at a Quickstep contest in Crewe. ___________________________________________________________________________________NATIONAL NEWS1 Oct 1904 COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships, Crystal Palace, London For the Crystal Palace 1,000 guinea trophy. Test Piece “Mendelssohn” arr C Godfrey. Conductor RESULTS FIRST Hebburn Colliery (A Holden) SECOND Wingates Temperance (W Rimmer) THIRD Irwell Springs (W Rimmer)

Foden’s Motor Works didn’t qualify 1900 to 1909. ___________________________________________________________________________________

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1905 FODEN MOTOR WAGGON WORKS BAND Conductor William Rimmer ###################################################################################

___________________________________________________________________________________NATIONAL NEWS30 Sept 1905 COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships, Crystal Palace, London For the Crystal Palace 1,000 guinea trophy. Test Piece “Roland a Ronceveaux” by Mermet. Conductor William Rimmer. RESULTS FIRST Irwell Spring (W Rimmer) SECOND Wingate Temperance (W Rimmer) THIRD Lee Mount (A Owen) FOURTH Wyke (W Rimmer)

Foden’s Motor Works didn’t qualify 1900 to 1909. ___________________________________________________________________________________

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1906 FODEN’S MOTOR WAGON WORKS BAND Conductor William Rimmer ###################################################################################Jan 1906 As a staunch Liberal, Edwin Foden made a promise that if the Liberal Party won the local area of Eddisbury in the General Election he would give every member of his workforce the day off. The Hon. A.L. Stanley defeated E.T.D. Cotton-Jodrell (Conservative) by 1123 votes and so true to his word he gave every member of the company a paid holiday. The band decided to do a celebratory tour of the area in their new tour bus “The Pillbox”, as it was nicknamed. The band ended up outside Elworth House the home of Edwin Foden to play his favorite Hymns. 1906 COMPETITION – Newtown Third Prize – However there were only three bands that entered. 1906 COMPETITION – Clough Hall, Kidsgrove. Mr Samuel Charlesworth led the band in this confidence building competition. Also taking part were Besses, Black Dyke and Wyke Temperance and Kingston Mills. Foden’s failed to be placed but were singled out for special praise. Mr William Foden (The future Managing Director of Foden’s) played Solo Euphonium and was congratulated on his high standard. 1906 Edwin appointed John Gladney (The Father of the Brass Band Movement) a 67 year old Ulsterman who had a long career with Black Dyke. He had won the British Open 20 times at Belle Vue with Meltham Mills, Kingston Mills, Honley, Batley Old, Black Dyke, Lindley and Pemberton Old. He was supposed to show that Rimmers idea to cut out the dead wood from the band was un-necessary but despite winning first prize at a contest in Haslington near Crewe (Playing “Angels every bright and Fair” by Handel) in 1908 other successes were not achieved, including a competition at Matlock. ___________________________________________________________________________________NATIONAL NEWS29 Sept 1906 COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships, Crystal Palace, London For the Crystal Palace 1,000 guinea trophy. Test Piece “Gems of Chopin” arr W Short Conductor William Rimmer. RESULTS FIRST Wingate Temperance (W Rimmer) SECOND Shaw (W Rimmer) THIRD Wyke (W Rimmer) FOURTH Pemberton Old (W Rimmer) FIFTH Goodshaw (W Halliwell)

SIXTH Irwell Springs (W Rimmer) UNPLACED Gossage Soap Works (W Rimmer) UNPLACED Irwell bank (W Rimmer) UNPLACED Rushden Temperance (W Rimmer)

Foden’s Motor Works didn’t qualify 1900 to 1909. ___________________________________________________________________________________

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1907 FODEN’S MOTOR WAGON WORKS BAND Conductor William Rimmer ###################################################################################___________________________________________________________________________________NATIONAL NEWS28 Sept 1907 COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships, Crystal Palace, London For the Crystal Palace 1,000 guinea trophy. Test Piece “Gems of Schumann” arr W Short. Conductor William Rimmer. RESULTS FIRST Wingates Temperance (W Rimmer) SECOND Goodshaw THIRD Kings Cross Subscription

Foden’s Motor Works didn’t qualify 1900 to 1909. ___________________________________________________________________________________1907 With the band being Unplaced William Rimmer commented on having heard the band playing at the recent contest and that there was only one thing fundamentally wrong with the band and that was the quality of players. Mr Rimmer recommended a complete reconstruction of the band and refused to conduct again at contests until this was done. This also ment that Mr Edwin Foden would have to let his two sons go from the band, something he was not immediately keen to do. William Rimmer advised Edwin to reconstruct the band and to thin out players who were not good enough including Mr Foden’s own two sons. This disagreement with the Directors led to William Rimmer ceasing to be the conductor of the band. (see Spring 1908) 9 Dec 1907 Sam Charlesworth was presented with a clock as he was relinquishing his role of conductor after 7 Year’s with the band to concentrate on playing second trombone. His replacement was Mr Alf J. Jackson a local organist was installed as conductor with Alf Gray as Musical Director. New players were engaged with auditions being held at the registered offices of Foden’s Limited.

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1908 FODEN’S MOTOR WAGON WORKS BAND Conductor William Rimmer ###################################################################################1907 or 1908 COMPETITION / Concert at “Haslington Flower Show”.

The band under its new Bandmaster Alf Jackson won first prize with the test piece “Angels ever bright and fair” from Theodora by Handel. Unknown date. Bands were marked in these village contests not only for their playing but also for their marching ability. Foden’s would not have won the first prize with drummer Mr A. E. “Bogie” Wright who was so small he could hardly see over the drum he carried. On one occasion he continued marching down the street in a straight line while the rest of the band had turned into a side road and didn’t discover he was marching alone until the sound of the band was in the far distance. Spring 1908 With a lack of success the band had to rethink and came to the conclusion that William Rimmer’s ideas were right and they were adopted by Edwin Foden. In the spring of 1908 Edwin Foden called for his sons, Edwin Jnr and Billy, along With Son in Law Sam Twemlow to tell them the bad news that “If we’re going to have a Band here why not have it a Tip Toppper”

in other words their place within the band was now at an end. With the recommendations being put in place William Rimmer was asked back to the band and after his reinstatement Mr Foden vowed never to Question him again. Now with the major re organisation of the band they looked forward to taking part in various contests and hopefully back to their winning ways. ___________________________________________________________________________________BAND MEMBERS AT THE TIME WHO LEFT?Edwin Foden Jnr, Sam Twemlow, (William) Billy Foden (Euphonium), E Foster, Edward Jenkins (Re-joined 1909?), H Bryant, F Griesdale, F Lowood and F West. ___________________________________________________________________________________1908 With William Rimmer in the band-room he set about composing a new piece of music for Foden’s called “The Cossack” which became the signature tune of the band. 10 Apr 1908 COMPETITION – Brierfield The band went to the venue by train and came third winning a £5 prize behind Irwell Bank and Heptonstall. 15 May 1908 COMPETITION – Darwen Played “Verdi’s Works” and came second between Crosfields and Shaw. Whit Mon COMPETITION – Shrewsbury Came Second to Crosfields. Following day COMPETITION – Huddersfield Third prize behind Hebden Bridge and King’s Cross. 1908 COMPETITION – Newtown Third place in the set piece July 1908 COMPETITION – Belle Vue (Regional Finals) 19 bands played the overture “Zampa” by Herold and came second to Hebden Bridge. July 1908 COMPETITION – Manchester’s White City. Placed Sixth out of Twelve. Sept 1908 COMPETITION – Open Championships, Belle Vue, Manchester. The band were only allowed into this Year’s competition as a reserve band in case one of the bands were unable to compete. ___________________________________________________________________________________NATIONAL NEWS26 Sept 1908 COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships, Crystal Palace, London For the Crystal Palace 1,000 guinea trophy. Test Piece “Rienzi” by Wagner arr S Cope. Conductor for various bands William Rimmer. RESULTS FIRST Irwell Springs (W Rimmer) SECOND Perfection Soap Works (W Halliwell) THIRD Wingates Temperance (W Rimmer) FOURTH Shaw (W Rimmer) FIFTH Black Dyke Mills (W Rimmer)

Foden’s Motor Works didn’t qualify 1900 to 1909. ___________________________________________________________________________________

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1909 FODEN’S MOTOR WAGON WORKS BAND Conductor William Rimmer ###################################################################################10 Apr 1909 COMPETITION – Brierfield. The band came 3rd winning £5. 15 May 1909 COMPETITION – Darwin The band came 2nd winning £8. 31 May 1909 COMPETITION – Shrewsbury. The band came 2nd winning £15. 1 June 1909 COMPETITION – Huddersfield.

The band came 3rd winning £6.5 June 1909 COMPETITION – New Brighton. The band came 7th winning £5. 12 June 1909 COMPETITION – Newton. The band came 3rd winning £17 / 2 / 0 10 July 1909 COMPETITION –Belle Vue, Manchester (Monday) The bands played “Zampa” by Herold as the test piece. It qualified Foden’s for the September contest at Crystal Palace for the first time ever. They won £28 / 16 / 0 for second place. 17 July 1909 COMPETITION – Bradford, Yorkshire. The band came 3rd winning £10. 31 July 1909 COMPETITION – White City, Manchester (Nr Old Trafford). The band came 6th winning £8. 27 Aug 1909 COMPETITION – Knighton. The band came 3rd winning £16. 6 Sept 1909 COMPETITION – “British Open Championships”, Belle Vue, Manchester. Test Piece “Il Bravo” by Marliani arr C Godfrey. William Rimmer took the rehearsals for the competition and was responsible for conducting six bands on the day of the contest. The Band came FIRST at their first attempt. They won £128 / 16 /0, a Cornet, Three Medals (Possibly for the Proffessional Conductor, Bandmaster and Principal Cornet) and the Challenge Cup (Cup to be returned). William Rimmer was also proud of his other bands as five of his bands ended up in the top sixth. On the bands return they toured the Village of Elworth playing the test piece and the marches “The Cossack” and “Pat in America”. Conductor for Foden’s William Rimmer. FIRST FODEN’S MOTOR WORKS BAND (William Rimmer) SECOND Black Dyke Mills (William Rimmer) THIRD Perfection Soap Works (W Halliwell) FOURTH Hebden Bridge (William Rimmer)

FIFTH Wingates Temperance (William Rimmer) SIXTH Irwell Springs (William Rimmer) UNPLACED Shaw (William Rimmer) 1909 With William Rimmer in charge Alf J. Jackson decided it was time to go as Bandmaster. Mr Edwin Foden decided to appoint Ted Wormald to take over as Bandmaster and by September he was leading the band in concerts. Ted had come from Kingston Mills, at Hyde in North Cheshire. 11 Sept 1909 Crewe Chronicle Page 8 FODEN’S MOTOR WAGGON WORKS BAND, SANDBACH Winners of Belle Vue September Contest. 1909 BAND MEMBERS INSTRUMENT PLAYER Organiser Edwin Foden (Organiser - Sponsor) Bandmaster Ted Wormald

Conductor Ted Wormald (Conductor previously with Kingston Mills) Conductor William Rimmer (Professional Conductor of Black Dyke, Wingates Temperance etc.)

Cornet Edwin Firth (from Earby)Cornet Herbert Harrison (assistant Solo Cornet from Stockport) Cornet Joe Brookes (Cornet Soloist of Lindley and

Prize winner in solo contests) Euphonium Percy Shaw (Solo Euphonium from Copley in Halifax and Sowerby Bridge) Euphonium Fred Risdale (Euphonium from Aberdare) Trombone George Hinkinson (Solo Trombone from Crewe who previously played with Horwich) Solo Horn Fred Sowood (Formally with Wyke Temperance Band)

Cornet Jim Thorpe

Jack Hodgkinson Jim Easthope J Ward T Bartles J. H. Griffiths A. E West Harry Gresty W Bamford Ben Rowarth F Foster

George Walker Walter Cradleton

Harry Cornack J Smith

Bill Sheard Ernest Evans S. Edgar Charlesworth

Librarian C Jones Secretary Mr Don Henry Burgess

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EDWIN FIRTH Biography. (.b. 23 Dec 1888 .D. 1 June 1918) Born on the 23 December 1888 Edwin was the eldest of 11 children to Squire and Clara Firth. Edwin’s grandfather was Greenwood Firth a solo trombone player with the Black Dyke Band from 1855 to 1879 which also had Edwin’s father Squire Firth in the band world with Black Dyke as a cornet player and later a band trainer and professional coach. Squire Firth was born in Queensbury, Bradford in 1865 and he alone moved to Earby in 1885, where he was to meet his future wife Clara Wright. Edwin’s mother was called Clara Wright, the daughter of William and Margaret Wright of Schoolfields, Earby, one of seven daughters (Mary J, Elizabeth E, Sarah A, Grace, CLARA, Kezia and Eleanor Wright) and two sons (Alfred and Fred Wright).

Squire Firth and Clara Wright married on the 6 February 1886 and moved to Lindley. Very soon their first child Alice Firth was born. Alice later married James Lindley the son of the Earby Schoolmaster.

Edwin was born in Clara’s Parents home at Schoolfields, Earby in 1888 the usual practice before the NHS as children felt safer having their babies with their mother nearby. As a youngster Edwin was taught to play the cornet by his father and was also an accomplished singer with the local Parish Church choir in Bradford.

In 1889 the family moved from Lindley to Skipton and Squire Firth was soon enrolled in the Army but was in for less than a year as in 1890 Squire Firth became the landlord of the Wheatsheaf Inn in the High Street, Skipton (In 1908, the Inn closed and was demolished. A Halifax Building Society is now on the site).

In 1892 Squire Firth started conducting the Skipton Old Prize Band with their headquarters moving from the ‘Cock and Bottle’ Public House to his own ‘Wheatsheaf’. In 1896 Squire Firth took over the Leeds City Band along with guest conducting about 20 other bands and the family including six children moved to Bradford.

In 1899 Squire Firth returned to run the “Wheatsheaf” public house in Skipton as well as running the ‘Skipton Old Prize Band’ again this time with Edwin Firth joining his father who was conducting at thetime.

1901, was the year Squire Firth formed the “Skipton Permanent Orchestra” but it was also a year of sadness as his and Clara’s daughter Beatrice died at the age of 11 at “Schoolfields” in Earby the home of Edwin Firth’s Grandparents, William and Margaret Wright who at the time lived there along with their daughter Eleanor Wright / Pickles (.b. 1873 Sister of Clara born in Earby) and her husband Walter

Pickles (.b. 1872 in Thornton) with their son Norman W Pickles (.b. 1897 in Earby). The 1901 Census shows Beatrice as a visitor to the house where she was staying until her untimely death. Eleanor, Walter and Norman were also visiting the house at the time of the Census, as according to relatives they lived nearby during this time and not at Schoolfields.

In 1902 Edwin made his debut at the Crystal Palace Competition as a thirteen-year-old Principal CornetPlayer and the band came 3rd. When the family moved to Earby in 1904, Edwin played for Barnsaldswick and Earby bands as well as playing for other bands as a guest soloist. Money from these guest appearances allowed Edwin to get professional tuition and hired Alexander Owen and William Rimmer to help with his playing. This helped his technique and soon his reputation soared.

In 1904 Squire and Clara Firth purchased the properties 4 to 8 Victoria Road, Earby from William Wright, Clara’s father and moved the family into number 8 with eight of their children. Later Squire Firth let number 6 Victoria Road to a bank with his daughter’s Edith and Pattie (Martha) ran two running two ladies and children’s wear shops at 4 and 8 (After 1920) Victoria Road. Today there are still a number of shops in the row of buildings.

In 1904, Edwin won his first significant contest in adult company at Bradford. With this success came engagements all over the area including a week at the Rochdale Circus and Hippodrome where he was billed as “Master Edwin Firth – Champion Boy Cornetist, Prize Winner and Gold medallist – a Musicalmarvel”. At Mexbrough he was billed as “Edwin Firth – Prize Cornet Soloist and Trumpet virtuoso”. Edwin was in constant demand as a soloist and played with over 50 bands including “Brighouse and Rastrick”, “Black Dyke Band”, “Wingate’s Temperance” and in 1906 Edwin played Solo Cornet with the “Barnoldswick” at Crystal Palace when the band came 2nd in the competition with his father Square Firth conducting. So popular was Edwin that “Fan’s” would wait outside 8 Victoria Road, Earby to hear him practice. A story from this time tells us that when he was ill his supporters spread straw on the road outside his house to deaden the noise from the horses and carts passing by.

On the 29 November 1905, Edwin took part in the Spalding Solo Contest at the Corn Exchange and came first (Medal and Certificate).

In 1906, Edwin was presented with a cup by the Marquess of Abergavenny in recognition of having won their “Brass Bands of South Wales and Monmouthshire” competition three times, not necessarily in a row. 1906 was also the year of the Barnoldswick Band competition.

On the 29 February 1908, Edwin took part in the Bentham Competition. In 1908, he attended the contest at the “Shoulder of Mutton Inn” at Mytholmroyd where he competed against 24 of the finest players in the country. Edwin came first winning 25 shillings but more significant were the players he beat into second and third place as they like Edwin would become members of Foden’s Band. Second was Fred Mortimer from Hebden Bridge (10/-) and third was Arthur Webb of Houghton Main (5/-). No one could have predicted how these three would have gone onto play such an important part of the history in the Sandbach band.

On the 19 December 1908, a contest at Hanley, Stoke on Trent was attended by Edwin Firth and watching the players were Edwin Foden and the scouting directors for the Foden’s Motor Works Band who had already decided to offer the young player the job of Principal Cornet but needed to make sure.On listening to him playing “Fatherland” to perfection they were then in no doubt that they should offerhim the position. On the 23rd December 1908, William Foden wrote to Edwin’s father to invite his son to join the band (Because he was 20 years old and considered a minor). Dear Sir We were over at the solo contest last Saturday at Hanley and were pleased at the way your sonwent through his piece. We have a first class band connected with the works and are open to take on another Solo Cornet player. It is our intention to attend all the principal contests during the next season and have arranged

with William Rimmer to come over every fortnight to a rehearsal (he lived in Southport) and go with us to the contests. We have a large Engineering Works and have several branches of trade associated with it. We do not know whether your son has any special trade but we can come to terms with you, we would do our best to put a good trade in his fingers which would, we think, be helpful to him in the future. We shall be glad if you can arrange to come over and bring your son to a practice. We will then go fully into the matter with you. William Foden Director.

In 1909, Edwin joined the band full time, but instead of joining the Foden Works he continued training as a Watchmaker as well as being a freelance musician. On the 22 October 1909, an agreement was made between Foden’s Limited and Squire Firth and his son Edwin. The Contract gave him 10/6d plus expenses with a 15-shilling payment for every concert and contest. The money was more than Edwin’s brothers and sisters were earning at the time in the cotton mills of Earby. ################################################## EDWIN FIRTH’S CONTRACT It is hereby agreed that the aforementioned Edwin Firth shall be engaged by Foden’s Limited as their Principal Solo Cornet player at a payment of ten shillings and six pence plus expenses for everyrehearsal attended, and fifteen shillings plus expenses for every contest and engagement. It is understood that Edwin shall attend one rehearsal a week during the two years, and also attended every Contest and engagement at which his services shall be required by Foden’s Limited. (This arrangement was extended from the 31 December 1909 to the 31 December 1911.) ##################################################

On the 1 January 1910, Edwin took part in the Workington Eistedford Cornet Solo Competition and as usual won first prize.

1910 was a great year for the band as they won the Double Championships with the first being on the 5 September at the “British Open Championships”, Belle Vue, Manchester for the Jennison Trophy, when they played the test piece “Acis and Galatea” by Handel beating the Shaw Band (W Halliwell) into second place and Perfection Soap Works Band (W Halliwell) into third with William Halliwell winning all three places. Next was on the 1 October 1910 at the “National Brass Band Championships” at Crystal Palace, London with the competition piece “Gems of Schubert” arranged by William Rimmer. William Halliwell lost second place this time round as Irwell Springs conducted by Alexander Owen took that place and Mr Halliwell came third with the Spencer’s Steel Works Band (W Halliwell). Success came at a price for Edwin Foden as he had to pay out 5/- (5 Shillings) to each of the old peopleof Elworth as a reward for the support from the local community towards the band a promise he had made before the championships. Edwin Foden was at the time in bad health but rallied enough to announce the 5-shilling donation and a free tea and evening celebration, which would be arranged for when the band returned to the town.

In January 1911, Edwin Firth wrote in his diary that he had a lesson with Mr Alexander Owen the greatest cornet tutor of his era, hoping I am sure to improve his technique even further.

By 1911, another entry in Edwin Firth’s diary showed that he attended two rehearsals a week as well asplaying in front of Edwin Foden (Founder of the Band) who was at the time too ill to attend rehearsals. However, on the 31 August 1911 Edwin Foden died and Edwin’s services to play for his employer came to an end as a soloist with Edwin’s next performance for Mr E Foden being his funeral.

The 1911 Census shows that Edwin Firth was lodging with Joiner, John Mellow (.b. 1855) his wife Charlotte Elizabeth Mellor (.b. 1848) and daughter Beatrice Mellor (.b. 1884) at 9 Elworth.

On the 5 January 1912 Sam Twemlow offered Edwin a new contract. The contract was sent to Edwin’s parent’s home in Victoria Road, Earby.

Dear Edwin

Regarding renewal of Agreement, we have talked the matter over but cannot arrive at any decision until we know more of what your ideas are. Would you care to come and work here, say in theoffices? Or would you prefer to go on as you are, with us paying you more money? If you would suggest something by letter to give us an idea of what your future intentions are, we couldthink the matter over and settle something with you at the next rehearsal. If your father would care to come with you we shall be pleased to see him and pay his expenses.

Sam Twelmow (Director) In the event Edwin decided that he would like to do a combination of a job at Foden’s Offices, plus a small remuneration for playing with the band.

Harry Mortimer in his biography recited that Edwin Firth who had come to Foden’s from Earby was at the time a bachelor and Edwin Foden decided it was time for his daughters and grand-daughters to get married and so he persuaded his new cornet player to get to know one of them and they eventually married (Actually it was Doris, the daughter of Sam Twemlow and Grand-daughter of Edwin). The same introduction greeted Harry Mortimer when he came to the band but he managed to evade capture.

In 1913 The British Bandsman decided to hold a competition to find the best new March. It was won by Edwin Firth with his composition “Westward Ho”.

During the weekend of the 6th and 7th December 1913 the band entered the 1902 offices of Foden’s Motor Works on the corner of Hill Street and Station Road to make their first recording in a makeshift studio in their rehearsal space, which had been cleared out on the Friday night and immediately the Eddison Bell Company set out their studio. Hubert Shergold the Flugel player with the band since 1912told us about the recording techniques of the day. Firstly, the wax master disc would be warmed up in an oven so it became easier for the needle to make a groove in the disc which when baked could then make as master disc. It was a hit and miss affair as the recording had to be made in one take as there was no such thing as editing so many of the recordings were scrapped if there was a problem with the sound. If there was a solo then the soloist would be placed between the band and the recording horn which would gather the sound onto the disc via a vibrating needle in fact it was the opposite of how we listen to discs today when the vibrations of the grove create a sound for us to hear in the case of the recording the sound from the band was put into a disc. All in all, 12 items were recorded by the Quartet and 20 recordings were made of the full band with thefirst of the 78’s being released the following year in January.

1913 was the year that Edwin recorded his first records with Foden’s Band along with a solo 78 with the titles “Cleopatra” and “Pandora” becoming one of the classic recordings of any solo artist of the time with the people of his home town Earby purchasing many of the original pressings on its release in March 1914. When recording “Pandora” (or Cleopatra) Edwin Firth dutifully stood between the band and the “Microphone” (Horn) and played every note perfectly with the band in top form, a classic recording was on the cards. However, it was so good that at the end of the piece after the very high note, Edwin Foden who had been listening in the corner jumped up and applauded the player thus making the disc useless and they had to start again.

In 1914 the country went to war with Germany and many of the men at the works and in the band wanted to sign up to take part in the fight for good. Edwin who was by now aged 25 years old stayed atthe works.

In October 1915, Edwin played at a concert in Crewe (Possibly the Town Hall) performing as a soloist along with Miss Lillian Coper of Crewe (Singer), E Gibson (Violin), G K Dickinson (Viola) and F Morris (Cello).

In 1916 Edwin married Edwin Foden’s grand-daughter Doris Twemlow (.b. Jan 1892 .D. 31 Dec 1991 the daughter of Sam Twemlow) The family moved into Springfield, Sandbach and Doris or Mrs E Firth as she was named, joined the Sandbach Red Cross working party to raise funds for the Abbey Field Hospital (Middlewich Road, Sandbach) putting in 3 hours a week for two years until April 1918.

Three years after the start of the war in 1917 Edwin Firth finally decided to leave the band to join the 28th London Regiment (the Artists Rifles) as a Private (766890). At first Edwin was allowed home at the weekends to play with the band and to see his wife.

In September 1917 the Chester Chronicle reported that Edwin Firth had been called by the Military to appear at Chester Castle to ask for an extension to his leave from the army as it would be awkward for Foden’s without their Chief Cornet player when they compete in the British Open at Belle Vue, Manchester on the 1 September when they unfortunately came sixth.

At the end of 1917 on another brief leave from his regiment, Edwin Firth had played at Chester Groves (11 Aug 1917), by the River. One of the tunes he played as an encore was “Goodbye” by Tosti, he thought that it would be appropriate. However, his fellow band members tried to talk him out of playing it as they saw this as a bad omen. How right they were.

In October 1917, Edwin played one of his last concerts at the Lyceum Theatre Crewe (21 Oct 1917) before he went to join his regiment for what would be his last deployment.

In February 1918, his company were posted to France and Edwin decided to borrow a battered cornet he had found in the band room which he took to the battlefield so he could keep his lip in leaving behind his main instrument for his return.

One of Edwin’s fellow soldiers was a cartoonist with the Daily Express called “Strube” who later drew a picture of Edwin on a programme for a concert by the 28th London Artists Rifles. Sidney Conrad Strube was born on the 30 December 1892 and started working at the Daily Express in 1912 with the paper publishing his first book of cartoons in 1913. He was a Corporal in the 28th London Regiment (the Artists Rifles) in charge of Physical Training and Bayonet instruction. One day he filled a Bayonetdummy with red paint which when a new recruit punctured caused him to faint. By 1915 he was a Sergeant and continued to draw scenes and people during the war before he was finally demobbed in December 1918, after which he returned to the Daily Express where he continued for many years as their cartoonist. Strube died on the 4 March 1956.

In April 1918 Edwin Firth’s, wife Doris gave birth to a son she named Edwin Twemlow Firth (Known as Teddy .b. Apr 1918 .D. 1994 aged 75) but it was not a happy time as the baby’s father was still fighting in France.

In May 1918, well known cornet player Arthur Laycock (Who had married and lived in Earby) told his brother Harold of Edwin and that he was at the Somme. When Harold was sent to the front he heard a cornet playing from the trenches and on enquiring found it to be Edwin Firth. They soon talked about Arthur Laycock and the people and places of Earby a final reminder of home for Edwin.

In a place called Varennes, North West of Amiens on the 1 June 1918, while returning to the trenches ashell exploded just outside some woods killing Edwin and his party, he was only 29 Year’s old. Post Girl at the time was Edwin Firth’s sister, Pattie (Martha Tatersall / Firth) who had to deliver the telegram to her parents saying that her brother had been killed.

At this time Squire and Clara were still in 8 Victoria Road, Earby when they received the news of Edwin’s death as well as the news that two of Edwin’s brother’s, Walter and Wright had also been badly wounded during the war. Walter was gassed and invalided out of the army while his brother Wright had his leg amputated.

Private Edwin Firth 766890 of the London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles) is buried in the Verennes MilitaryCemetery near to Albert in France (Plot Number III E. 13).

Doris Firth received the following message on the death of her husband. “Dear Mrs Firth I regret exceedingly to inform you that your husband was killed in action on the night of June 1st by a shell. I am pleased to be able to tell you that his death was instantaneous. He was a keen and efficient soldier, and very popular with his comrades, by whom his loss is keenly felt. With deepest sympathy, I am, yours Sincerely, T LEGG, Captain.

################################################## His family wrote at the time a poem.

His pleasant ways and smiling face Are pleasant to recall; He had a kindly word for each, And was beloved by all. No one knows the silent heartache, None but those can tell Who have lost their best and dearest Without the last farewell. (Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers, 8 Victoria Road) (Some Websites have the address at this time as 2 Victoria Road, Earby which is wrong according to Squire Firth the son of Ceres Firth the brother of Edwin)

Edwin’s name appears on the Elworth War Memorial and a memorial stone on the family grave in St Mary’s Churchyard in Thornton-in-Craven is decorated with a cornet and the words “The Trumpet Shall Sound”.

Allan Littlemore persuaded the Sandbach Council to name “Firth Close” a cul-de-sac just off Bradwall Road after this remarkable player. (2009?)

LIFE AFTER EDWIN In 1920 Squire Firth moved what was left of his family, those who had not left home, to “Heather view” in Green End Road, Earby about half a mile from their previous residence.Four years later in 1924, Squire Firth died. He was given a huge funeral by his family and the town which included a procession from Earby to the St Mary’s Churchyard at Thornton where he is buried along with his wife Clara who died later in 1935.

#################################################################### EDWIN FIRTH FAMILY TREE / CENSUS DETAILS 1881 at 4 Fieldhouse Square Greenwood Firth (.b. 1833 Grandfather / Father of Squire Firth) 1881 = A Warp Dresser at Worsted Factory 1911 = A Warp Dresser, Living at 60 Saville Street, Bradford. Martha Firth (.b. 1835-6 Grandmother / Mother of Squire Firth, Northowram, Yorkshire) 1911 = Martha had died before this CensusAnnie E Firth (.b. 1859 Sister of Squire Firth)

Squire Firth (.b. 1865) Job Firth (.b. 1868 Brother of Squire Firth) Agnes Firth (.b. 1874 Sister of Squire Firth) Arthur Firth (.b. 1878 Brother of Squire Firth) ###################### Squire Firth (.b. 1865 Father, Queensbury) 1881 = Solicitor’s Clark 1891 = Licenced Victualler (Pub landlord) 1911 = Cotton Warp Dresser. Living at 8 Victoria Rd, Earby via Colne. Clara Firth / Clara Wright (.b. 1866 Mother, Earby, Yorkshire) Alice A Firth (.b. 1887 Sister, Lindley in Yorkshire) 1911 = Hosier EDWIN FIRTH (.b. 22 Dec 1888 .D. 1 June 1918) Beatrice Firth (.b. 1890 .D. 15 July 1901 aged 11) (Not in Census Records) Wright Firth (.b. 1894 Brother, in Skipton, Yorkshire) 1911 = Cotton Qwester Walter Firth (.b. 1895 Brother, in Skipton, Yorkshire) 1911 = Clerk Co-operative Society Edith Firth (.b. 1897 Sister, Skipton, Yorkshire) 1911 = Cotton Beamer Gwladys Firth (.b. 1899 Sister, Earby, Yorkshire) 1911 = School

Martha Firth (.b. 1901 Sister, Skipton, Yorkshire) 1911 = School

Margaret / Madge (.b. 1903 Sister, Skipton, Yorkshire) 1911 = School

Ceres Firth (.b. 1906 Brother, Earby, Yorkshire) 1911 = School

Kathleen Firth (.b. 1909 Sister, Earby, Yorkshire) 1911 = School

Pattie Firth (Details not Known)

1891 Squire Firth’s Census included Servant Mary Jane Duggan from Newcastle .b. 1867. 1911 Census shows the family had 11 Children / 10 Living / 01 Died

###################################################################################CLARA FIRTH’S FAMILY (Edwin Firth’s Mother) Lived at School Fields, Earby, Yorkshire William Wright (.b. 1827 Father of Clara born in Kelbrook, Yorkshire) 1881 = Cotton Weaver Margaret Wright (.b. 1833 Mother of Clara born in Earby, Yorkshire) Mary J Wright (.b. 1854 Sister of Clara born in Earby) 1881 = Cotton Weaver Alfred Wright (.b. 1856 Brother of Clara born in Earby) Elizabeth E Wright (.b. 1858 Sister of Clara born in Earby)Frederick Wright (.b. 1859 Brother of Clara born in Earby)Sarah A Wright (.b. 1862 Sister of Clara born in Earby)Grace Wright (.b. 1865 Sister of Clara born in Earby)CLARA WRIGHT (.b. 1866 born in Earby) Kezia Wright (.b. 1868 or 1872 Sister of Clara born in Earby) (In Census also as Hezia) 1881 = Nurse 1891 = Grocer and Draper Eleanor Wright (.b. 1873 Sister of Clara born in Earby) 1891 = Cotton Weaver 1901 CENSUS Married to Walter Pickles (.b. 1872 in Thornton) CHILDREN Norman W Pickles (.b. 1897 in Earby) Beatrice Firth (.b. 1892 in Earby) (The 1901 Census records give Father and Mother of Beatrice as Walter and Eleanor, However, she had been staying at the house at the time of the census and so the record has been recorded wrong in the internet update / interpretation.) ######################################################## EDWIN FIRTH’S FAMILY HISTORY GREENWOOD FIRTH (.b. 1833) Married MARTHA FIRTH (.b. 1836 .D. between 1891 and 1911) CHILDREN Annie E Firth (.b. 1859), SQUIRE FIRTH (.b. 1865 .D. 1924), Job Firth (.b. 1868) and Arthur Firth (.b.1878)

SQUIRE FIRTH (.b. 1865 .D. 1924) Married CLARA WRIGHT (.b. 1866 .D. 1935) CHILDREN Alice A Firth (.b. 1887 in Lindley, Yorkshire) Married James Lindley EDWIN FIRTH (.b. 23 Dec 1888 .D. 1 June 1918) Married in 1916 - DORIS TWEMLOW (.b. Jan 1892 .D. 31 Dec 1991) Children = Edwin Twemlow Firth (Known as Teddy) (.b. Apr 1918 .D. 1994 aged 75) Beatrice Firth (.b. 1890 .D. 1901 aged 11) Wright Firth (.b. 1894) Walter Firth (.b. 1895) Edith Firth (.b. 1897) Gwladys Firth (.b. 1899) Married Harold Astin Children = Kathleen Astin (Daughter), Terry Astin (Son) Martha Firth (Known as Pattie) (.b. 1901) Married Walter Tatersall Children = David Tattersall (son), Hazel and Shirley (Daughters)

Margaret Firth (Known as Madge) (.b. 1903 .D. 2001) Ceres Firth (Son .b. 1906) Married Violet Dennis Children = Squire Firth Kathleen Firth (.b. 1909) Married Lewis Wright (Later Lord Lewis Wright who was the President of the TUC in 1968) Children = Owen Wright ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1901 CENSUS Middlewich Road 72 MIDDLEWICH RD Edwin R Foden (31) 1870Alice Foden (25) 1876Florence (Daughter) (4) 1897Dorothy (3) 1898 Davies ? (Son) (1) 73 MIDDLEWICH RD William Foden (32) 1869 Ellen A Foden (31) 1870 William L Foden (Son) (8) 1893Reginald G Foden (1) 1900James Edwin Foden (2 Mths) 190174 MIDDLEWICH RD Francis J Poole (34)Hannah Poole (35)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ EXTRA INFORMATION LORD LEWIS TATAM WRIGHT, Baron Wright of Ashton Under Lyne CBE Born on the 11 October 1903 with the name Lewis Trentam Styles. DIED 15 Sept 1974. Between 1940 and 1974 when Lewis died he lived at 12 Brookfield Grove, Ashton Under Lyne which has a Blue Plaque on its wall in recognition of his achievements which was unveiled on the 20 September 2005. Lewis had worked for many years as a textile worker and in 1953 succeeded Andrew Naesmith as Secretary General of the Union. Between 1953 and 1968 Lewis was the General Secretary of the Textile Workers Union Amalgamated Weavers’ Association and on the 1 January 1964 was awarded the CBE for his many years of service. In 1968, was made a Life Peer and thus became a Member of the House of Lords. He was replaced as General Secretary by Harry Kershaw. At the Blackpool Conference of the TUC (Trade Union Congress) Lewis was elected president to succeed Harry Douglass and served a term of one year in office before being replaced by John E Newton in Portsmouth at the Conference in 1969. Between 1969 and 1970 he was the President of the Textile Institute in Manchester.

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JIM THORPE / JAMES THORPE Biography. .b. 1883 Glossop. Jim Thorpe had joined the band in 1909 and was to follow on from the late Edwin Firth as Principal cornet player with the band on his death in 1918. By 1936 Mr Thorpe had won over 160 Gold and Silver Medals and a number of Silver Challenge cups.Jim was also winner of the Empire Solo Championship at Belle Vue, Manchester. From time to time he has assisted the Black Dyke Mills, Irwell Springs, Kensington Mills, Glossop, Royston, Barrow Shipyard, Rushton, Clydebank, Glasgow and Cumberland Brass Band. In 1936 Mr Thorpe was teaching and adjudicating within the brass band world. (Edited from a 1936 history of the Foden Motor Works Band) ___________________________________________________________________________________

FRED SOWOOD Biography. At the age of 14 Fred joined the Owram Brass Band followed at the age of 16 by the Bradford City Brass Band on soprano.

The Wyke Temperance Band was assisted by Fred on Solo Horn with their winning performances until1908. By 1915 Fred was the band’s Librarian a position he held for well over 21 years. By 1936, Fred had not missed a single competition in his life with Foden’s Band and was the oldest serving member of the band and was also a member of the Number 1 Quartette. ___________________________________________________________________________________19 Sept 1909 CONCERT – LYCEUM THEATRE Crewe.

2 Concerts at 3.30pm and 8pm Ted Foden (Organiser - Sponsor) Conductor Edward Wormald.

Band Members Edwin Firth (Cornet)Jim Thorpe (Solo Cornet)Jack Hodgkinson (Solo Cornet)Herbert Harrison (Solo Cornet)E Foster (Cornet)Sam Twemlow (Cornet)George Walker (Cornet)Jim Easthope (Cornet) J. H. Griffiths (2nd Cornet)

Joe Brookes (Soprano Cornet)J Ward (Flugel Horn) T Bartles (Flugel Horn) A. E. West (Solo Horn) Fred Sowood (First Horn) (1908-9 to 2 Jan 1956) Walter Cradleton (2nd Horn)J Smith (Solo Baritone) Harry Cornack (Baritone)Harry Gresty (B Flat Bass) W Bamford (B Flat Bass) Percy Shaw (Solo Euphonium) George Hinkinson (Solo Trombone) S. Edgar Charlesworth (2nd Trombone)Ernest Evans (Bass Trombone) Bill Sheard (E Flat Bass) Ben Rowarth (E Flat Bass)

(List from Crewe Chronicle Photograph and report) Small Item and Photo Page 8, 11 Sept Crewe Chronicle on their Championship Win.

25 Sept 1909 COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships at Crystal Palace, London. For the Crystal Palace 1,000 guinea trophy. (The Foden Band Diary puts the date at the 26 October 1909) The test piece was Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” arranged by Sam Cope. The band came second to William Rimmer’s other band “Shaw”. Foden’s were awarded the “Daily Telegraph Cup” for Second place. They won £100 and some instruments. Test Piece “The Flying Dutchman” by Wagner arr C Godfrey. Conductor William Rimmer. RESULTS FIRST Shaw (W Rimmer) SECOND Foden’s Motor Works (W Rimmer) THIRD Perfection Soap Works (W Halliwell) Sept 1909 William Rimmer told Edwin Foden that before the next Year’s competitions he would be retiring from Competitions. He would be devoting his time to the Southport Municipal Military Band and composing music. (See end of year for Biography) 1909 On Rimmer’s recommendation, Edwin Foden appointed William Halliwell as Conductor and Professional Coach. Mr Halliwell originated from Roby Mill near Wigan and had previously been with the Upholland Temperance Band where he had been Solo Cornet and Bandmaster. 17 Nov 1909 CONCERT – For the Macclesfield Town Band Two Concerts with tea provided (Paid £20) 20 Nov 1909 CONCERT – For the Stockport and £ and week Employees Band Two Concerts including Tea (Paid £18)

1 Dec 1909 CONCERT - Winsford Hospital Saturday Committee Evening Concert (Paid £12)

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WILLIAM HALLIWELL Biography. .b. 11 March 1864 .D. 24 Apr 1946. William was born in 1864 in Roby Mill a village next to Upholland and five miles from Wigan, Lancashire. He had a brother called David Halliwell who gained an MBE and was Chairman of the Roby Mills New Methodist Sunday School when they laid the foundation stone on the 2 September 1937 to a new school a sequel to the one that he and William had gone to in their earlier days. William Halliwell’s musical life started as a Harmonium player with the hope of his parents that he would graduate to the organ. By the age of 12 William was good enough to play the organ at several places of worship. At the age of 16 William had managed to change to the cornet by joining the Upholland Temperance Band where he gained a tutor and within twelve months he was playing solo cornet with the band. Fouryears later he was appointed Bandmaster and started doing solo cornet and trumpet engagements for concerts and oratorios with bands like the Wigan Orchestral Society. In 1887 William was engaged by the Wigan Rifle Band as solo cornet appearing for his first outing at the Belle Vue contest in July. Success led to him being appointed Bandmaster with the Rifle’s, however his personnel engagements started to take over and he soon decided to resign his position. In February 1893 William was asked to return to the Wigan Rifle Band as conductor to help improve the standard of musicianship. Although some of the members had moved on to the Pemberton Old Band William was able to make a noticeable improvement to the band.William was also Senior Bandmaster to the whole Brigade of Territorials and in 1894 was asked to takecharge of the Fifth Territorial Battalion, Manchester Regiment Band who provided the Guard of Honour when Queen Victoria opened the Manchester Ship Canal on the 21 May 1894 (The canal had been opened on the 1st January 1894 to traffic). Over the year Mr Halliwell went on to conduct The Standish Brass Band. In 1910 William Rimmer retired from conducting the famous Foden Motor Works Band and recommended William Halliwell to take on the role as Professional Conductor with the band. At the National Championships in 1911, William Rimmer was conducting four of the top six prizewinning bands including Foden’s. 1911 RESULTS FIRST Perfection Soap Works (W Halliwell) SECOND Foden Motor Works (W Halliwell) FOURTH Shaw (W Halliwell) SIXTH Spencer’s Steel Works (W Halliwell) UNPLACED Hebden Bridge (W Halliwell) UNPLACED Luton Red Cross (W Halliwell) William Halliwell was no stranger to the Royal family playing in front of them at Crewe Hall with Foden’s in 1913 and in front of the King at Lambton Castle the home of Lord Durham and Buckingham Palace with St Hilda’s Colliery Band. On leaving Foden’s for reasons that the band played better for Fred Mortimer than they did for him, he went on to conduct other bands, taking them to success at the National Competitions and Belle Vue. Other bands Halliwell conducted included – Irwell Springs, Nelson Old, Wingates, Black Dyke Mills, Clydebank Burgh, Besses O ‘th Barn, Brighouse and Rastrick, Lincoln Melleable Works, Sowerby Bridge, Harton Colliery, Munn and Feltons. On the 24 April 1946 aged 82. He was buried in Upholland Church Cemetery.

(Adapted from an article by Allan Littlemore) ___________________________________________________________________________________

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1910 FODEN’S MOTOR WAGON WORKS BAND Conductor William Halliwell ###################################################################################

5 Feb 1910 CONCERT – Sandbach Liberal Association (Paid £6) 18-26 Feb 1910 CONCERT – Manchester Motor Show 12 Concerts each day (Paid £110) 26 March 1910 COMPETITION – Barnsoldwick (Easter Saturday) Awarded Third place winning £5. 28 Mar 1910 COMPETITION – Abergavenny (Easter Mon) Awarded First place winning £47 / 10 / 0 28 Mar 1910 COMPETITION – Mountain Ash The band came Second winning £12. 16 May 1910 COMPETITION – Hawarden. The band came Third winning £8. 17 May 1910 CONCERT – For the Tamworth and District Band of Hope (Paid £35) 21 May 1910 COMPETITION – New Brighton. The band came Third winning £15. 28 May 1910 COMPETITION – Darwin The band came Fourth winning £4. 19 June 1910 Sacred Concerts at Crewe Alexandra Football Club (Paid £15) 25 June 1910 COMPETITION – Newtown. The band came Second winning £20. 29 June 1910 CONCERT – Huddersfield Corporation 12 Concerts (Paid £32) 9 July 1910 Northwich Annual Fate (Paid £15) 16 July 1910 COMPETITION – Lister Park, Bradford, Yorkshire. The band came Third winning £10. 24 July 1910 Sacred Concerts at Elworth (Paid £7/10/0) 30 July 1910 COMPETITION – White City, Manchester (Nr Old Trafford). The band came Second winning £20. 4 Aug 1910 Market Drayton Horticultural Society (Paid £15) 6 Aug 1910 COMPETITION – New Brighton (Theatre), Wirral, Nr Liverpool.

Achieved first prize. Winning a Cup and Vase plus £80. 13 Aug 1910 Hugglescote Horticultural Improvement Society (2 Concerts – Paid £35) 20 Aug 1910 Elworth Show and Sports Day (Paid £10) 27 Aug 1910 Shipley and Cotmanhay Floral and Horticultural Society (Teas provided) (Paid £25) 5 Sept 1910 COMPETITION – “British Open Championships”, Belle Vue, Manchester. (Jennison Trophy) Test Piece “Acis and Galatea” by Handel. The contest was held at the newly built Kings Hall at the Belle Vue site. The Band came FIRST winning a Cup, Hawkes Cornet, three Medals and £134. Conductor for Foden’s William Halliwell. FIRST Foden’s Motor Works Band (W Halliwell). SECOND Shaw (W Halliwell) THIRD Perfection Soap Works (W Halliwell)1910 BAND MEMBERS INSTRUMENT PLAYER Professional Conductor William Halliwell Bandmaster Edward Wormald

Principal Cornet Edwin Firth Ass Cornet Solo Herbert Harrison (assistant cornet soloist from Stockport)

Solo Cornet Jim Thorpe (.b. 1883 Joined Foden’s in 1909) Solo Cornet Jack Hodgkinson Soprano Cornet Soloist Joe Brookes

Repiano Cornet George Walker 2nd Cornet J. H. Griffiths 2nd Cornet Stephen Bartles 3rd Cornet F Foster 3rd Cornet Jim Easthope Flugel Horn J Ward First Horn Fred Sowood Solo Horn A. E. West 2nd Horn Walter Cradleton

Solo Baritone J Smith 2nd Baritone Harry Cornack Solo Trombone George Hinkinson 2nd Trombone S. Edgar Charlesworth Bass Trombone Ernest Evans Solo Euphonium Percy Shaw 2nd Euphonium Alf Crossley E Flat bass Alec Bamford E Flat bass (William) Bill Sheard B Flat bass Ben Rowarth B Flat bass Harry Gresty Cornet T Brooks (Deputised for Joe Brookes) Tenor Horn T Bartles B Flat Bass W Bamford Band Secretary Edwin R Foden Band Secretary William Foden

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STEPHEN BARTLES Biography Solo Flugel / 2nd Cornet 1910 to 1912+ Stephen Bartles was born on the 4 March 1881 in Patricroft near Manchester. At the age of eight years old he was learning to play the soprano cornet with the Swinton Schools Bandwhose bandmaster was a Mr R Kirk. At the age of 12 Stephen won his first competition in September 1893 when he played the test piece a Set of Waltzes beating many older and experienced players. When he reached the age of fourteen Stephen was drafted into the army and affiliated to the 10th Royal Hussars and their famous cavalry band where he played the French Horn, an instrument chosen for himby Mr R Wade of the 5th Lancers and Band Master of the 10th Hussars. He soon reached the position of Solo Horn and held this seat from 1899 to 1901 when he left the army gaining a marble clock from the band with an illuminated “Roll Call” on his departure n 1902. Stephen’s first musical job after leaving the army was with the Eccles Borough Band but after eighteen months he decided to move on to the Pendleton Old Band where he had to swap from the Flugel to the Soprano Cornet as his instrument with the band. He continued in the role of soprano player with the Pendleton Band for five years assisting in their success in competitions. Their first contest promoted bythe Oldham Rifles Band gained Stephen Bartles his first Gold Medal for the best Soprano player out of the twenty-five bands competing that day. On leaving the Pendleton Old Band, Stephen moved to the Wingates Band and again took up the Soprano Cornet seat where he improved his knowledge of competitions and was soon head hunted by other bands including the South Wales Band “Cyfathefa and Merthyr Municipal Band”. While in SouthWales he also assisted the Ferndale Band but he wanted more success with competitions and in 1910 hejoined the Foden Motor Works Band in Sandbach on 2nd Cornet and according to a “British Bandsman”feature on the 24 February 1912, soon became a first cornet player before William Halliwell decided tomove him to Solo Flugel. At a competition at Gainsborough he was awarded first prize and cornet medal while at a Heanor Competition he was awarded fifth prize. His performance was even more remarkable as he had to play his part from memory as he had lost his copy of the music.

Stephen Bartles

___________________________________________________________________________________ALFRED E CROSSLEY Biography 2nd Euphonium 1910 to 1913 Alfred was a member of the Border Mounted Rifles (Trooper Service Number 258) during the Boar War (1899 to 1902) and then the Highland Regiment. The next time we have information about him was when he became a Steam Wagon Fitter with Foden’s Motor Works where he joined the Band on 2nd Euphonium. By the end of 1925 he had immigrated to Montreal in Canada where he opened two butcher’s shops. Once set up in business he invited his wife and two children to join him. He was however a drinker and in 1926 he fell down a staircase killing himself. His body was first buried in Montreal and then his wife moved back to Padiham with her husband’s body which was reburied in the local church. His sons did not attend the funeral as they had both left home at the ages of 13 and 14 with one of them joining the Navy. (Died in Canada in 1926) Information from Andrew Robert Crossley (Grandson of A. E. Crossley) June 2015 ___________________________________________________________________________________17 Sept 1910 COMPETITION – Colwyn Bay. The band came Second winning £15. 1 Oct 1910 COMPETITION – National Brass Band Championships at Crystal Palace, London. Competition piece “Gems of Schubert” arranged by William Rimmer. They were second to play in the competition a position many thought would be a handicap but the band defied the odds and came FIRST gaining the double win. They were awarded £40, a Boosey’s Cornet and medals along with the trophy which had to be returned the following year. DOUBLE WIN FOR FODEN’S This was the first year Foden’s Band had won both the “British Open Championships” and the “National Brass Band Championships” being one of only a handful to have done this in the competitions History. They