Band History
Lydney is situated on the banks of the River Severn. It lies on the edge of the Royal Forest of Dean, approximately 20 miles south of Gloucester and 10 miles east of the border between England and Wales. The history and culture of the town is derived from the forestry and mining industries within the Forest and its location upon the Severn.
In 1879, the 'Lydney Drum and Fife Band' was formed by local residents. The group is known to have taken part in celebrations at Lydney Town Station as the first steam train left on the inaugural run across the Severn Railway Bridge. In 1892, the wooden flutes were changed for brass instruments and Lydney Town Band, as we know it today, came into existence, with Tom Bevan as its first conductor. The first noted instance of the band participating in a competition is from 1895 when it took 3rd place in the Lydney Contest performing ‘Pride of England’. Jack Marfell took over as conductor of the band in 1902, holding the role for nine years.
In 1879, the 'Lydney Drum and Fife Band' was formed by local residents. The group is known to have taken part in celebrations at Lydney Town Station as the first steam train left on the inaugural run across the Severn Railway Bridge. In 1892, the wooden flutes were changed for brass instruments and Lydney Town Band, as we know it today, came into existence, with Tom Bevan as its first conductor. The first noted instance of the band participating in a competition is from 1895 when it took 3rd place in the Lydney Contest performing ‘Pride of England’. Jack Marfell took over as conductor of the band in 1902, holding the role for nine years.
Lydney Town Band 1901
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The band’s long association with the Bathurst family of Lydney, began in 1911 when Charles Bathurst (later 1st Viscount Bledisloe) made a notable contribution to a fundraising campaign to buy a new set of instruments – its original set having found to be inferior in competitions. To this day, the band has bestows the title of Patron to the holder of the Bledisloe viscountcy. It was at this time that the band’s name changed to ‘Lydney Town Silver Prize Band’.
During the First World War several key members left to join the armed forces. It wasn’t until after the end of hostilities in 1918 that the band was able to function again at full strength – initially under James Imm until Richard ‘Dick’ Hodges took over in 1924. Dick led the band for 27 years until he stood down in 1951. In the 1930s, the band was invited to compete in the Crystal Palace Contest on four occasions, and at later contests held in Alexandra Palace following the destruction of the former by fire in 1936. |
The band lost its rehearsal space in 1942, when the Lydney Tin Plate Works were requisitioned by the Admiralty. This led to the suspension of band activity until 1945. In 1950, a new band room was proposed, at the cost of £2,000, to replace the existing wooden structure which had been built in 1896. The new building was built on land donated by the Bathurst family and remains in use today.
Over the following years the band took part in various contests and competitions across the country. It reached the National Championship of Great Britain Finals on five occasions between 1958 and 1998, and won the West of England Area contest in 1973, 1990, and 1997. During this time, the band’s conductors included Bill Sterry, Ken Andrews, John Eric Pryme, John Peacock, Eric Jones, Graham Watkins, Trevor Watkins, Jim Cooke, Ian Dickinson, Andrew White, Graham Lewis, Ron Carr, Adrian Hill, Kevin White, Brian Hurdley, David Maplestone, David Bishop-Rowe, Wayne Rushton and Bryn James.
Between 1989 and 2005, Lydmet Ltd, Lydney’s biggest employer at the time and a major international manufacturer of automotive engine components, held a sponsorship deal with the band. In recognition of this, the band changed its name to ‘Lydmet Lydney Band’. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the band entered a highly successful phase of its history, competing in the Championship and First Sections and regularly winning (or placing highly) in the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association (GBBA) Own Choice competition. In 1992, the band celebrated its centenary year with an event held in Bathurst Park opened by Christopher Bathurst, 3rd Viscount Bledisloe, with guest performances by bands from Cinderford, Swanbrook and Lydbrook. The band also participated in the Grand Festival of Popular Music in France in 1993, joining over twenty other European bands.
In 2005, the sponsorship deal with Lydmet ended and the band reverted to a previous name – ‘Lydney Town Band’. Around this time, the band suffered the loss of many experienced players and struggled to maintain its status as a contesting band. In response to the difficulties the band faced, Lydney Training Band was established. This was led by Kevin and Kerry Ford and supported by Ken and Roger Powell as tutors. Over the next few years, the Training Band quickly developed, enjoying a sustained increase in membership year on year, and becoming a regular fixture at local events including Lydney's Remembrance Sunday service. The Lydney Starter Band was later created to support new players who were at the very start of their musical education.
During the mid-2010s, the long-term aim of the Training Band began to be realised as young players started to be ‘promoted’ to join the Town Band. In 2016, the Town Band achieved 3rd place in the Fourth Section of the West of England Area contest and 7th place at the National Championships. By 2019, the band had been promoted to the Second Section - its highest grading since 2001. At this time, the Training Band was also enjoying great success. It had grown to over 40 members, including a number of adult players, and served as the organisation’s primary presence at local events. In 2018 and 2019, the Training Band won the GBBA Contest in the Youth Section cementing its position as one of Gloucestershire’s leading youth organisations.
The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020/21 meant that the band was unable to meet for rehearsals or play concerts. During this time, Kerry Ford pioneered a series of initiatives to keep players engaged and supported. These included online Open Mic sessions, ‘Tips and Hints’ videos in conjunction with the band’s Musical Director, Thomas Dunne, and the Lydney Virtual Solo Festival. Following the gradual lifting of restrictions, via socially distanced rehearsals in Lydney Town Hall and the Lydney Community Centre, both the Town and Training Bands were able to return to regular rehearsals by September 2021.
In 2022, the band celebrated its 130th Anniversary with a concert at Lydney Town Hall featuring performances by both the Town Band and Training Band, culminating in a massed band finale. The year also marked the Town Band’s return to regular contesting taking 2nd place at the Wychavon Festival of Brass and 5th place at the West of England Area contest.
Over the following years the band took part in various contests and competitions across the country. It reached the National Championship of Great Britain Finals on five occasions between 1958 and 1998, and won the West of England Area contest in 1973, 1990, and 1997. During this time, the band’s conductors included Bill Sterry, Ken Andrews, John Eric Pryme, John Peacock, Eric Jones, Graham Watkins, Trevor Watkins, Jim Cooke, Ian Dickinson, Andrew White, Graham Lewis, Ron Carr, Adrian Hill, Kevin White, Brian Hurdley, David Maplestone, David Bishop-Rowe, Wayne Rushton and Bryn James.
Between 1989 and 2005, Lydmet Ltd, Lydney’s biggest employer at the time and a major international manufacturer of automotive engine components, held a sponsorship deal with the band. In recognition of this, the band changed its name to ‘Lydmet Lydney Band’. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the band entered a highly successful phase of its history, competing in the Championship and First Sections and regularly winning (or placing highly) in the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association (GBBA) Own Choice competition. In 1992, the band celebrated its centenary year with an event held in Bathurst Park opened by Christopher Bathurst, 3rd Viscount Bledisloe, with guest performances by bands from Cinderford, Swanbrook and Lydbrook. The band also participated in the Grand Festival of Popular Music in France in 1993, joining over twenty other European bands.
In 2005, the sponsorship deal with Lydmet ended and the band reverted to a previous name – ‘Lydney Town Band’. Around this time, the band suffered the loss of many experienced players and struggled to maintain its status as a contesting band. In response to the difficulties the band faced, Lydney Training Band was established. This was led by Kevin and Kerry Ford and supported by Ken and Roger Powell as tutors. Over the next few years, the Training Band quickly developed, enjoying a sustained increase in membership year on year, and becoming a regular fixture at local events including Lydney's Remembrance Sunday service. The Lydney Starter Band was later created to support new players who were at the very start of their musical education.
During the mid-2010s, the long-term aim of the Training Band began to be realised as young players started to be ‘promoted’ to join the Town Band. In 2016, the Town Band achieved 3rd place in the Fourth Section of the West of England Area contest and 7th place at the National Championships. By 2019, the band had been promoted to the Second Section - its highest grading since 2001. At this time, the Training Band was also enjoying great success. It had grown to over 40 members, including a number of adult players, and served as the organisation’s primary presence at local events. In 2018 and 2019, the Training Band won the GBBA Contest in the Youth Section cementing its position as one of Gloucestershire’s leading youth organisations.
The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020/21 meant that the band was unable to meet for rehearsals or play concerts. During this time, Kerry Ford pioneered a series of initiatives to keep players engaged and supported. These included online Open Mic sessions, ‘Tips and Hints’ videos in conjunction with the band’s Musical Director, Thomas Dunne, and the Lydney Virtual Solo Festival. Following the gradual lifting of restrictions, via socially distanced rehearsals in Lydney Town Hall and the Lydney Community Centre, both the Town and Training Bands were able to return to regular rehearsals by September 2021.
In 2022, the band celebrated its 130th Anniversary with a concert at Lydney Town Hall featuring performances by both the Town Band and Training Band, culminating in a massed band finale. The year also marked the Town Band’s return to regular contesting taking 2nd place at the Wychavon Festival of Brass and 5th place at the West of England Area contest.
