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Musical Director: Paul Fisher
The Sons of Temperance Brass band was founded by George Ward in 1890. He was elected Bandmaster, Secretary and Treasurer at the first meeting. George Ward was a keen local photographer and can be seen here on the left with a beard.
By 1892 the 'pledge had been broken' and the band had broken away from the 'Sons of Temperance'. George Ward remained as bandmaster and is pictured here in the middle of the back row proudly in new uniforms. 'Dibe' Keen is on bass drum, Tom Baker is standing on the left with trombone, and Jim Redding is second from left in the front row with Euphonium.
Here the band can be seen marching down Old Amersham High Street for The Amersham Fete in 1900. Photograph by George Ward.
During the First World War the band ceased but afterwards Herbert Fountain took over as bandmaster and the band once again had new uniforms. They are pictured here at Chenies Manor in the 1930's. In the photo are two Saunders brothers, G Revel, T Dover, and Les Keen who until recently remained an active player of the band.
Unfortunately the band fell away at the onset of World War II and was not reformed until 1977.
An inaugural meeting was held at The Swan in Old Amersham in March 1976 with Jean Archer, Eric Edmonds, Ken Silk, Nigel Tolliday, Richard Wodzynski and Roger Speller. The decision was taken to reform and Nigel Tolliday was elected Bandmaster.
The band played their first concert as guests of Ellesborough Silver Band in October 1977. The band are pictured here at their rehearsal hall, The Methodist Church in Old Amersham.
The band has gone from strength to strength over the years and in 1997 the training band was formed to allow learners, of all ages, to play in a small group. The training band now has 17 members.
In October 2000 the band played at the National Brass Band 4th Section Finals at the Albert Hall. Ten years later in 2010 the band qualified for the Finals again, this time in Harrogate. Today the band has over 50 members in both in the main band and training band.
A Short History of Amersham Band
