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The Rushden Windmill Band (a.k.a. Rushden Temperance Band 'The Temps') have in their possession a marvellous collection of newspaper cuttings dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. Most are taken from the BRITISH BANDSMAN and local journals. The following pictures appear to be band publicity leaflets which (if dated from other articles stuck on the 'collection pages') I date as being just after World War 1 or the early 1920's. Both state that 'The Temps' were runners up at the The National Championships (1903) and the British Open (1908). Interestingly, these leaflets bear a resemblance to a Review Booklet featuring the Luton Band (see our 'links' pages) - published in 1907, so it is possible that these leaflets are pre-WW1. However, further investigation suggests 1918 and 1920 - see below... My apologies - both pictures are rather large and may take a little while to load, please be patient!
1918 leaflet.
1920 leaflet. Both leaflets give a J.A.Greenwood, of Birkenhead, as the Professional Conductor. J.A.Greenwood is well known in the Brass Band world as a composer of many marches. Surprisingly, travelling the country as a 'Professional' conductor was not uncommon even in then - in the days prior to fast cars and motorways. I noted that Mr Greenwood adjudicated the band at the 'Daily Herald' Championships in 1953- giving them a '4th', see the 'archive pictures' page for a photo'. Uniforms are given as being 'Red with Gold Trimming' and the band boasts full equipment including 'Tubular Bells and Full Military Effects'!! Even the Band's bankers are given! - the Northamptonshire Union Bank (in one) and the National Provincial & Union Bank (now 'Nat West') in the other. Perhaps this info can date these items. Further to the above - former player Mark Napper (now resident in Germany) has done a little research and writes:
No NOT sad at all - a nice piece of detective work I'd say - thanks Mark.
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