THE history of the West Wycombe Brass Band is featured on the main Nostalgia page, so I thought you might enjoy a few more pictures of local bands.

Brass or Silver Bands have been around since the turn of the nineteenth century.

They flourished in many towns and cities where there was industry, and not just in the North of England as is commonly believed. Bands were usually formed away from the heart of industrial towns and cities in the surrounding smaller towns and villages.

In these villages there was less in the way of entertainment than in the cities.

Therefore a small, close knit community could easily form a Brass Band. The West Wycombe band was one such, formed in 1871, 150 years ago.

Typically, a band’s repertoire is very flexible, with concert programs consisting of original works, orchestral transcriptions and featured soloists, novelty items, marches, medleys, and hymn tune arrangements.

Top: For many years from the beginning of the 20th century High Wycombe had a brass or silver band, sometimes more than one.

Here we see the audience, containing many youngsters, listening to one of the regular Sunday evening concerts at the bandstand on the Rye, 1959.

Middle left: Brass bands were often sponsored by local firms and here we see the Ercol Works Band playing on the Rye, watched by an audience relaxing on the grass, 1964.

Middle right: West Wycombe Brass Band were National Champions (4th Section) in 1974.

Bottom left: Military bands are always popular, in this picture the Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry Regimental Band are giving a concert at the bandstand on the Rye, 1956.

Bottom right: Another very popular local band was the Salvation Army Band which was formed in 1883.

Here we see the band marching along the High St on their way to perform their 70th anniversary concert on Frogmoor, 1953.