1920s – Early Development
- Dec 1, 1920
- 2 min read
In 1920 the Band got its first uniform ‐ old khaki modified with blue facings ‐ and helped to raise funds for the Memorial Hospital under its President, Earl Bathurst. In 1921 permission was given by the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire to play in the Market Place on Saturday evenings.
On Monday May 16th 1921 the Band gave its last performance as the ‘Comrades Band’ as it had become known; thereafter it was ‘Cirencester Silver Band’. The general pattern of engagements was established early on and throughout the 1920s the Band played at village and church fetes in the Summer, concerts in the Winter. Carols, the hospital and the hunt at Christmas.
A fund for new instruments was started and in the Summer of 1921 a weekly dance was held in a field near the Amphitheatre. This, together with a loan from a gentleman enabled the Band to purchase its first silver instruments and these were displayed for a week in a shop window in Cricklade Street. In 1922 the Band entered its first contest playing ‘Gems of Harmony’ at Swindon and finishing in second place. The band played at a Cirencester Polo Club Tournament which including playing for musical chairs in which the Prince of Wales took part and won.
The Band played its longest march in 1922; as part of Cirencester Carnival the parade started from the Stratton end of Gloucester Street and proceeded through Thomas Street, Park Street, Black Jack Street, Cricklade Street, Watermoor Road, The Avenue, Chester Street, Victoria Road, Church Street, Watermoor Road, Queen Street, Victoria Road, Dyer Street, Market Place, Castle Street, Sheep Street, Ashcroft Road, Ashcroft Gardens, Ashcroft Villas, Sheep Street, Querns Lane, Lewis Lane, Dyer Street, Market Place, Dollar Street and into the Abbey Grounds. Two refreshment stops were required, one the Queen’s Head and one the Foresters’ Arms!
In June 1923 the Band played as King George V and Queen Mary arrived for the official re‐opening of the Royal Agricultural College which had been closed during the war ‐ it rained all day. An open air dance was held in the Abbey Grounds in July which added considerably to the instrument fund.
On Easter Monday in 1926 the Band played two performances with Fosset’s Circus who had arrived in Sidington with a Bandmaster but without a band; the original band had broken up and left the Circus in Swindon. In 1927 the Band was measured up for new uniforms: dark blue with pale blue and silver facings.
At a fete in Williamstrip Park, the first performance in the new uniform, there was a thunder storm and the Band had to run for cover.
At the Fairford Contest in 1928 the Band won first prize for marching and deportment and third prize for performance. Later in the year the Band had its first outing to Crystal Palace and also played at three Armistice Parades; Cirencester and Oaksey on the Sunday before 11 November and Naughton on the Sunday after.
Based on the recollections of Cecil Reynolds, a playing member of the Band from 1919 to 1980.
Bandmasters: Sid Stevens (1920), Bert Dunne (1920‑25), Sid Stevens (1925‑26), G Churchman (1926‑29)
Bandroom: Temperance Hall, Thomas Street (1920‑29)
