Tell me the old, old story...

It seems brass bands never learn.

4BR’s John James was recently delving into the archives of his local newspaper, ‘The St Helen’s Reporter’, and came up with this cracking report from a brass band contest held in the town in 1892.

1892 Contest

The contest was held at the town’s George Hotel, promoted by local entrepreneur Mr Thomas Boardman, and the intrepid adjudicator was one, Mr J.O. Shepherd.

Overblowing

According to the report of Friday September 9th 1892: "The judge entered most minutely into his criticisms upon each competing band, and speaking generally he says ‘…the worst fault in the day’s playing was overblowing, especially by cornets…'"

The winners of the contest were band number 12, Pemberton Old, conducted by F. Dinham, whilst second place was taken by Skelmersdale Temperance conducted by one, W. Rimmer.

It could have been a report of an adjudicator’s thoughts written on any brass band nearly 120 years later…

Media treatment

Meanwhile, if you are wondering how the media treated bands in years gone by, then log in and have a look at this BBC 'Omnibus' programme from November 1975, which featured the people, players and music of the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band.

The programme was called 'Shafts of Sunlight' and was intoduced by the oleaginous Humphrey Burton - a man so oily you can almost see the trail of unctuous slime as he introduces the programme. 'From Balzak to brass bands', he sneers...

How times have changed...

http:/­/­www.bbc.co.uk/­archive/­mining/­6928.shtml?all=1&id=6928

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